North Carolina Books

Lee's Tar Heels is a superb narrative of one of North Carolina's premier brigades in the Civil War. Author Earl Hess delivers a very readable and interesting account of the brigade, which included the 11th, 26th, 44th, 47th, and 52nd NC regiments. Hess draws on a large number of period resources, including some priceless accounts from brigade members, some of whom did not survive to see the war's end.

The book basically covers the entire history of the brigade, from its early days participating in the relatively small skirmishes and battles of Eastern NC, until its true baptism of fire at Gettysburg, in which it suffered appalling casualties and gained immortal glory. One thing I liked about the book is the consistency with which he covers all the regiments of the brigade, and not just the more famous 26th NC. It would be easy to have written a book on the 26th, with scant reference to the other equally deserving member regiments, but Hess never fails to present the brigade as a whole.

He also tells of a number of interesting side stories, including devoting much space to the famous Moravian band which travelled with the regiment. He talks about the Quaker members of the brigade, who were caught up in a situation they hated, yet earned the sympathy of their fellow soldiers. Each aspect of the brigade history is presented in a readable way, including discussions on desertion, camp life, and politics.
He also talks a great deal about the three leaders of the brigade; Pettigrew, Kirkland, and McRae. He is candid about each of their leadership styles, including any blunders they may have perpetrated, but he is quick to come to their defense when he feels it is warranted. One thing I was impressed with was the natural talent that the last commander, William McRae, exhibited. If not for the end of the war, he surely would have gone on to be a fine division commander.

Hess also addresses the post-war controversy over the blame for the failure of Pickett's charge between North Carolina and Virginia. Several prominent Virginia newspapers printed accounts of the Tarheel's actions at Gettysburg that were biased and inaccurate. There is a whole chapter on "After the War", which deals with the efforts of various members of the brigade to rectify the incorrect accusations of the Virginians, and to accord the brigade the credit it was due. He also writes about the eventual fate of many of the soldiers you come to know through the reading of the book, some of whose stories are absolutely fascinating.

This brigade was present at pretty much every large battle of the ANV from Gettysburg until the end of the war, including a number of smaller engagements which are generally overlooked. It gained a reputation for hard fighting, and was often used in situations where extreme measures were called for. Hess writes about them with an obvious enthusiasm, but never loses his objectivity. I will have to admit, this is the first brigade history I have ever read, but I cannot imagine it gets much better than this. If you enjoyed the book he co-wrote on Pea Ridge, I think you will find this one just as good, maybe even better. I simply cannot recommend it highly enough.

Don't even open this book if you have important plans for the next three days.

*Nance Dude* grabs you from the first sentence and compels you to pick it up again and again until you have read the last line.

Based on a true story, it tells of a women who killed her own grand-daughter in the mountain country of North Carolina in 1913. You know immediately who did it, the outcome and some of the people involved, but the why's and how's are more compelling than in Capote's *In Cold Blood.*

Still Nance is not a killer story. It is a story of love, compassion, redemption and ultimately the tale of a down-trodden person, who, like *Everyman,* represents all down-trodden people. Nance Dude becomes, through Stanley's skillful handling, a symbol for the black plight, battered women, abused children, those physically and emotionally impoverished.

One cannot help but think of *Cold Mountain* because of the time and the setting, but Nance goes far beyond *Cold Mountain.* In it, Stanley carries you to every human emotion in your psyche. You will laugh, smile, become enraged, cry, feel fear, but most of all you will be constantly surprised and impressed at the buttons Stanley has pushed in you that you thought were hidden.

There is action, suspense, romance, epic tales covering a hundred years, sadness and mystery. What's more Stanley is such a skilled writer that he compresses all of this emotion and time into 253 pages. Writing with the excitement of Grisham, the fine ear for dialog as Goldman, the tenderness of Wolfe and the compassion of Capote, Williams, McCullers and Welty, Stanley will not let you alone, once you have picked him up.

Put this book at the top of your list. But remember, cancel everything on your calendar for the next three days.

(The book is -- as of 12/99 -- back in print from Marblehead Publishing, Raleigh NC.)

William Spence Robertson was born in Glasgow (Scotland) on October 7 1872 and devoted his entire life to the study of Diplomacy and International Relationships in America. He prepared in Yale his Doctoral Thesis with the title of Francisco de Miranda and the Revolutionizing of Spanish America, who bestowed him the Prize of History of Yale `s University.

Under the light of the previous considerations, it has become a perpetual reference source and documentation for biographers, Historians and investigators at the moment to understand the complexity and enormous transcendence of this singular personage.

Finally I would like a little incise in this sense. The most pyramidal Venezuelan painter: Arturo Michelena, consecrated what to my mind constituted his sublime masterpiece: "Miranda en La Carraca", a mesmerizing and captivating that will shock you for the rest of your life due its impressive realism.

I Loved the Book!

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1N1AW2ENYJDVO This is a book trailer to give you a glimpse into Lilah and the Locket and the Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.

One of the best histories of small business men making it big

Mark M. Smith provides the reader with an excellent and unique perspective of 19th century America in an accessible and very interesting manner. This book is not just for the history enthusiast! I highly recommend it.

Don't be put off by the fact this book was written a few years ago, it's still quite newsworthy. I've been gardening for many years -- everything from a two-acre spread to a small urban garden but I never had to "think small" until I moved to the big city. This book has proved very helpful for resizing thoughts.

In "The Little Bulbs," Miss Lawrence covers everything from miniature daffodils to sqill, from crocuses to irises. Did you know there were miniature irises? Most if not all of the bulbs she describes are still around, and many more varieties exist besides, but this book will get you started and keep you going awhile. I haven't found anything newer with better practical knowledge.

Even if you own an estate, this book can help you. Miss Lawrence has a nice section on container planting which the British have done for years, and we are just beginning to do really well. Remember, bulbs exist for every climate. You can grow the tropical kind in-doors in colder areas (amaryllids), and grow those that require cold outside if you have freezing weather in winter. I like this book so much, I am ordered the hardcover to replace my old paperback which I'm giving to my daughter who is just beginning to garden.

Amazing book. The real account of a Southern heroine from North Carolina, Mary Bayard Clarke. She travels early America, including Texas and Cuba (you can certainly see she lives up to her motto, the title "Life your own life"). The historical detail and meticulous research by the authors brings out her rich and wonderful writing and poetry. I recommend it as a great addition for any Civil War or North Carolina history buff.

This is Reynolds Price's first novel, and what a distinguished beginning it is. Wesley Beavers and Rosacoke Mustian are involved in a mating ritual, a courtship spanning six months (June to December), as they test each other out as a prelude to marriage. Rosacoke spends much of her female energy trying to get Wesley to commit himself emotionally to her, while he is satisfied merely with the physical. She gives herself to him finally (she indeed thinks of what she does as "a gift"), and by the end of the novel she knows she is pregnant and about to give Wesley another "gift" - unwanted at the time by both, but this gift of childbirth will seal their marriage. The novel is filled with opportunities for Rosacoke to handle and calm babies, which she finally succeeds in doing, as she is compelled to "grow up" and face her new responsibilities. She is not sure Wesley will be exactly what she was hoping for, but both reach a plateau of confidence that they will share "a long and happy life" together. The novel is a pastoral one, with much of it set outdoors. Price's personal writing style, which is purely his own and is amazingly powerful and exhilarating, especially in his use of similes, is established right away - a major asset. A wonderful and marvelously written first novel.