South Carolina Books

Larry Ivers has written a thoroughly documented volume covering every aspect of British military service in colonial Georgia, beginning while the area was still under the aegis of South Carolina. The building of fortifications, regulation of traders, diplomacy with the various Indian tribes, scouting by land and water, disease, death and boredom on a lonely frontier are all part of this highly entertaining read. Maps and illustrations are plentiful and most helpful. This book should be of value to anyone interested in Pre-Revolutionary Georgia, living historians, wargamers, and students of Native American studies.

British Drums on the Southern Frontier is the finest history of colonial British warfare on the Southern frontier, as well as a fantastic biography of James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony of Georgia. This is probably the most widely "bibliographied" book by modern writers of Georgia history and has, until now, only been available in libraries and as an expensive used book.

Prof. Christopher Dunn has written an impressive book about music and its role in the history and development of Brazilian Counterculture. "Brutality Garden: Tropicalia and the Emergence of a Brazilian Counterculture" begins by covering the history of Brazilian intellectual modernism (modernismo), focusing on the contributions of Oswald de Andrade and Mario de Andrade, as well as the early development of a progressive political impulse in early to mid 20th century Brazil. Two elements emerge early: the growth of a 'orthodox' socialism in the arts and music, and a concern over the authenticity of Brasilian cultural production both for internal consumption and external export. Musically, this concern with authenticity focused on the dual phenomena of Carmen Miranda, and Bossa Nova, both of which carry either heavy non-Brazilian influences and uncomfortable racial stereotypes.

Meanwhile, the progressive impulse is subverted in a right-wing military coup (supported and encouraged by the United States) which profoundly affects the Brazilian arts and the public. Television and Opera maintain a certain degree of freedom from censorship at first, but revolutionary socialism seems unable to articulate an effective resistance.

Enter Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. In this matrix of poltical and nationalistic uncertainty, and through the use of pastiche, dissassociative imagery, irony, parody, and a concern with the everyday frustrations of Brazilians, they construct an insurgent music that gains a wide reach and audience, while mostly flying underneath the dictatorship's radar screen. Refusing the government's attempts to force a highly nationalistic concept of unity on the populace, Tropicalia uses deploys the benign imagery of tropical paradise, only to subvert them with references (sometimes overt, sometimes oblique by necessity) to social and political trauma. The more orthodox leftists, of course, criticize Tropicalia for not directly inciting the masses to act, and instead promoting escapism. Yet Tropicalia's moment in the sun is not only threaded in the past of Brazilian historical discourse on modernity, but serves to feed a growing countercultural movement in Brazilian culture throughout the late 1960s and 1970's. By foregrounding areas of Brazilian socio-economic underdevelopment, Afro-Brazilian religion (Macumba, Candomble), and the historical legacy of Portugese colonialism, Tropicalia stakes out a lasting ground, and a usable past for Brazilian counterculture.

The book is heavy on history, and light on the explicit citation of theory, although its playful and trickster hermeneutic (well suited to its subject matter) is everywhere. Also playing a prominant role in the book is Candomble. Candomble religion plays an imporant role in the history of Tropicalia, and in the larger history of Brazilian metaphor and music. Candomble practices and practitioners occur in artistic discourses concerning the nature and center of Brazilian modernismo. Such as the 1971 painting "Primeria missa no Brasili" by Glauco Rodrigues, the song "Batmacumba" on "Tropicalia , ou panis et circensis" and on Os Mutandes first recording , Veloso's "Triste Bahia," a 1970's pop revival with roots as early as the 1930's. but especially prescient with Gil Gilberto and Veloso, and Gal Costa's tour of "Doces Barbaros" in 1976. 1977 saw Veloso's album "Bicho" and Gilberto Gil's "Refavela," both intimately concerned with Black consciousness and Candomble. Even as 1997 Gil's album "Quanta" wove discourses of the Internet with Orisha worship.

A dense book that weaves from literary and painting analysis to economic development theory and musical hermeneutics--this is a carefully written and edited interdisciplinary work of Cultural History and American/Atlantic Studies.

The author recommends the CD "Tropicalia Essentials" for use with the book. It is available on Amazon.com

After reading the book , I would also suggest "Tropicalia, ou panis et circensis" -- the original release of which appears to have been a crystalizing moment in the Tropicalia movement.

An outstanding history of the late -1960s surrealist-hippie rock movement known as "tropicalia." Although tons has already been written about Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and the other heroes of the tropicalia scene in the Brazilian press and academia, it's been pretty slim pickings in the English-speaking world... up until now, that is! Christopher Dunn, who co-edited "Brazilian Popular Music & Globalization," skillfully combines hard academic research with a relatively light, conversational prose. This is dense yet captivating material, as Dunn deftly explores the historical and philosophical connections to tropicalia -- an art movement that was originally conceived as cross-genre and multi-media -- and previous Brazilian movements such as modernismo, which was Brazil's homegrown 1920s variant of the "futurist" philosophy that swept through Europe in the early 20th Century. Dunn also deftly tells the story of tropicalia's explosive growth as a subversive, psychedelic musical genre, and the harsh political repression it was met with by the dictatorship which held power from 1964 to 1985. This is a vital book, of interest to the many newfound fans of this wild musical style, or to art historians tracking the worldwide path of dada-ism and surrealist art. Highly recommended.

Michael Hyde is best known for his two communication books, "Call of Conscience" and "Life-Giving Gift of Acknowledgment".
In this book, Hyde does a great job of laying out the philosophical ideas of both Heidegger and Levinas. He takes the marriage of these two philosophers and details the ontological structure of the call of conscience while also demonstrating the relationship of rhetoric and philosophy.
Overall, the reader is left to ask themselves if they are answering the rhetorical call given by the other: "where art thou?" with the life-giving response: "here I am." By using many examples, the author guides us to answer questions that effect the daily decisions we make.
Initially, to those not familiar with the terminology brought up in philosophical communicative studies, it may take a chapter or two to grow accustomed to the language used - but the reader will soon find themselves gliding through the reading.
Overall this is a great book that is a must-read.

This is a relatively accessible book for those interested in rhetoric and philosophy. Hyde does a wonderful job merging the two disciplines, and his application to the euthanasia debate is engaging and thorough.

The best book I've read on the lighthouse. Can't wait to buy the revised copy that includes the moving of the lighthouse. Mr. Carr is very knowledgeable on the history of this wonderful lighthouse. I've lived in North Carolina for many years and thought of the lighthouse as near the beach. Can't wait to visit it with all the knowledge I have now. Thank you Dawson Carr for a wonderful book. A double thumbs up to you.

I have been a resident of North Carolina all my life, but unfortunately never really had much of an education in the history of my state. I have taken it upon myself to become more knowledgeable in this genre. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse: Sentinel of the Shoals is an easy-to-read book which gives the entire history of the lighthouses. (Until I read the book I never knew there had been more than one Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.) This book describes in detail the importance of the lighthouse to mariners and those living on the NC coast. Considering the wealth of information and the length of this book, I find it a wonderful resource for NC History teachers to use in the classroom. It's also a wonderful book for those of us who do not teach history classes, but yearn for knowledge about the "Old North State." The next book I plan to read about North Carolina will be Dawson Carr's second book, Gray Phantoms of the Cape Fear, which describes the importance of the ships called blockade runners during the Civil War.

Does your love life need a pick-me-up? Are your fires burning low? This exciting book suggests plenty of fun activities - from authors who know where to find the most romantic spots. For couples of all ages and lifestyles, this guide has something to suit every taste and budget. Competing "romantic" guidebooks are little more than a listing of expensive restaurants and hotels, but Hunter's Romantic Weekends guidebooks are for everyone. Quaint inns & delightful restaurants are included for their high romantic appeal - not their high price tag. Includes Charleston & its barrier islands, the Outer Banks (Roanoke, Hatteras and Nags Head), and Savannah, perhaps the most romantic city in the US.

This book suggests plenty of fun activities - from authors who know where to find the most romantic spots. For couples of all ages and lifestyles, this guide has something to suit every taste and budget. Competing "romantic" guidebooks are little more than a listing of expensive restaurants and hotels, but Hunter's Romantic Weekends guidebooks are for everyone. Quaint inns & delightful restaurants are included for their high romantic appeal - not their high price tag. Includes Charleston & its barrier islands, the Outer Banks (Roanoke, Hatteras and Nags Head), and Savannah, perhaps the most romantic city in the US.

This is the most informative book that I have read regarding the Catawba Indians. My great grandmother was cherokee/catawba and lived on Indian Land in Fort Mill/Lancaster SC.

I have been trying to purchase this book even though it is "out of print". I keep hoping there will be a reprint, AND for those who have Indian heritage, this is a very good book for you to read. Very, very in-depth of Native American sufferings. "The Trail of Tears" and "The Catawba Indians: People of the River" are great books regarding our Native American Heritage.

I found the Kimbrells/Kimballs in it and my Kimbrell heritage is in the book. 5th great uncles were the first white men to speak Souian, Iriquorian, Saponi Indian languages for the early Virginia Colony. I am lucky to have read this book, which inspired me to seek out the Kimbrell Geneology.

I had no idea who The People of the River were, until I read the first page of Mrs. Summers book, she clarified and expanded my knowledge of these great people immensely. A cousin had informed me of my Catawba Roots, and I was desperately searching for some clue, and Mrs. Summers guided me throughout the book, in a historical and personal journey into the trials and tribulations of Indian life in the Carolina's. Her statements of facts, and her historical knowledge of the area and people of this great nation is unmatched. It is my hope that I one day find a copy of this great book, to mark the start of my own personal journey.

Madden's book is essentially the only source for a comprehensive history of South Carolina's Catholics and it is certainly excellent by any standard. I recommend this to anyone who has an interest in a very small, but important part of South Carolina History.

This account continues to be a valuable resource and reference for historians studying the history of the Catholic Church in S.C. Because it is one of the few, written and published to date. It has been a tremendous help to the Diocesan Archives and individuals with catholic history archival interest.

Intending just to thumb through the book, I found I could not put it down. Having just returned from a vacation to Myrtle Beach (and visiting Charleston and Ft. Sumter), I was pleasantly surprised to recognize so many of the structures in the photographs. In addition, the captions were entertaining and provided a further glimpse into the lives of those in the photographs. Pictures included people, structures and scenes from all walks of life--high society and economically disadvantaged. Pre-civil war daguerrotypes start off this photographic history book. I wish I had taken this book with me to visit Charleston!

An exciting way to visit the City of Charleston. A city that has survived five major fires, earthquakes, tornadors, cyclones, hurricanes and the 587 day siege of Charleston. Pictures show this proud old lady's struggle to survive during the last 140 years. Wonderful text by Alice Levkoff gives amazing accounts of what was and is Charleston. A pictorial history that shows Charleston is not a sleepy old Southern city.

After having read this book, it was the perfect introduction the Southern Architecture and Decorative arts prior to actually seeing Charleston face-to-face. Mr. Savage gave lecturers on this very topic in my classes as well as site, which had been complimented by his book. It is artfully written and with care describes the details often ignored by many travel writers, art historians and even restorers! One almost feels as if they can hear the author reading it aloud. Bravo.

This really is a beautiful book, especially for someone who's not familiar with Charleston. Most of the photographs are wonderful, with a lot of detail not seen in other books about Charleston. I'm probably spoiled, but I could have used about 40 more pages...but when you're talking about Charleston, a 5000 page book wouldn't be enough. Really a wonderful book to add to any Charleston collection.

In this fascinating and succinct book "Charlestonians in War: The Charleston Battalion," W. Chris Phelps records the history of a Confederate unit that was central to the defense of Charleston: the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Battalion, usually known simply as the Charleston Battalion. Mr. Phelps ably describes the battalion's brave and pivotal role in several key battles in the Charleston area. He also lays out the unusual composition of the battalion and its constituent companies, including the Charleston Light Infantry, the Irish Volunteers, the Sumter Guards and the German Fusiliers. Mr. Phelps writes that more than a few of the battalion's privates were well-to-do lawyers and businessmen. That fact called for a firm and capable leader, which they had in the person of Lt. Col. Peter C. Gaillard, a Charlestonian West Pointer turned businessman, who was in command throughout the battalion's existence.

The Charleston Battalion played a key role in repelling a Union thrust against Charleston at nearby Secessionville, SC in June 1862 and it repeatedly defended Fort Sumter, the keystone of Charleston's defenses. The battalion bore the brunt of the famous July 18, 1863 attack on Battery Wagner, which was led by the black 54th Massachusetts. Inside the fortification, the Charleston Battalion withstood an 11-hour close-range bombardment by Union ironclads; during the infantry assault, its executive officer and the Irish Volunteers' company commander were among those killed in the intense combat. Mr. Phelps continues the narrative through the battalion's consolidation with another unit to form the 27th SC Infantry Regiment. The new regiment was assigned to Lee's Army where it fought several engagements in the Richmond-Petersburg area, again proving its valor and suffering heavy losses. At several points in its service, Mr. Phelps points out that the battalion's companies often mustered no more than platoon strength in modern terms. In the last chapter, Mr. Phelps follows representative members of the Charleston Battalion into the post-war era with thumbnail sketches of their later lives.

An appendix listing the battalion's members and casualty lists for several battles are among the products of the author's extensive and detailed research. My only quibble is that the format of the book made some of the maps difficult to read but reading the book in conjunction with any good Civil War atlas will solve that minor problem. That my great-grandfather enlisted in the battalion's Irish Volunteer company only added to my interest in the book but any student of the Civil War or, more generally, Charleston's role in Southern history will find the book an excellent account of a remarkable unit.

The Charleston Battalion was first organized in 1860 and began with six independent companies of militia volunteers. In February, 1862, these six companies, Company A ("The Charleston Riflemen"), Company B ("The Charleston Light Infantry"), Company C ("The Irish Volunteers"), Company D ("The Sumter Guards"), Company E ("The Calhoun Guards"), and Company F (composed of both "The Union Light Infantry" and "The German Fusiliers"), were organized into the Charleston Battalion for one year's service in the Charleston area.

The battalion took part in the Battle of Secessionville (June 1862) and played a vital role in the defense of Battery Wagner (July 1863). The battalion also helped to repulse the daring but suicidal Union night attack on Fort Sumter. After three companies of South Carolina Sharpshooters were added to their ranks in the fall of 1863, the battalion was designated as the 27th South Carolina Infantry Regiment. In April, 1864, the regiment was sent to Petersburg, Virginia, where it took part in several battles, including the bloody Battle of Cold Harbor.

In December, 1864, it was sent to Wilmington, North Carolina, which at that time was one of the last ports still open to Confederate Blockade Runners. It took part in the Battle of Bentonville and was soon after surrendered and paroled with the rest of Gen. Joseph Johnston's army, which had been overwhelmed by Gen. Sherman's huge army. In this book there are several rosters which will be very helpful to researchers, including casualty lists for the battalion's/regiment's battles and skirmishes as well as the complete roster of the regiment. The author has written a superb history of this neglected Confederate unit and this book is an absolute must for any Civil War buff!