West Virginia Books

Wallace Coburn was my great-grandmother's cousin and to see his work still enjoyed is pure joy to me and to our family. His books are terribly difficult (code for insanely expensive) to get ahold of now, so ANY of his poetry is a gift to read - and to get the gift of reading the works of OTHER cowboy poets who are keeping the tradition alive....well.....Wallace and his half-brother Walt (also a writer) would have been, I'm sure, thrilled!
Please keep doing what you're doing - the Old West as it once was may be long-gone, but the tradition of the cowboy poet keeps at least a small strand of that alive and well.

I've been a poetry fan, and a cowboy poetry fan, for years. Cowboy poetry climbed out of obscurity in large part because of the Elko Cowboy poetry festival in Elko Nevada. This book is a gathering of 20 years of some of the best poetry presented at this festival. Some poetry is old, some new, some from new authors, some from classic (meaning dead) authors.

Comparing this book with other similar books convinced me that this is one of the better collections. Similar in tone to the 15 year old book from the same publisher, this book is real cowboy poetry with no new-age political stuff snuck in. (Yes, even in Cowboy poetry, authors occasionally try to fool the readers with political rants and vague, high-falutin' literary allusions.)

The poems are divided up in chapters on horses, ranching lifestyles, humor, family and nostalgia. Most are less than 2 pages but bursting with humor, wisdom and wistfulness for days and people gone by.

If you're new to cowboy poetry, give this collection a try.

For over 20 years now, cowboy poets have been gathering in Elko, Nevada every January -- sometimes timing calving season so they can make the trip -- to share poetry, music, and fellowship. This book celebrates last year's 20th anniversary of that gathering, which, in 2000, was named by the US Senate "The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering."

Contained between the book's two covers are some of the most eloquent, emotional, humorous poems you'd care to read. Ranchers and cowboys (and cowgirls) write with an honesty and straightforwardness that's hard to resist.

The book is divided in six sections: Hosses, Jest fer the Fun of It, Reflections of a Lifestyle, Family & the Community of Cowboys, Lookin' Back Down the Trail, and Characters. I cried real tears over some, and laughed out loud over others. All of them sang with the sounds of the range. In some poems, I could hear hoofbeats and feel the rocking lope of a cow pony. In others, I could smell the campfire where the tall tales were told.

In searching for this book's title to write my review, I saw that there were lots of other collections of cowboy poems. This book has made me want to read more of the gems these gritty and witty folks have to offer. These poems are truly national (and international -- some of the writers wrote of Australia and other lands) treasures.

Fans of Cowboy Poetry might imagine the perfect event: "the greats" all gathered: the best from long-ago, Henry Herbert Knibbs, Bruce Kiskaddon, Badger Clark; talents from the recent past, Buck Ramsey, Sunny Hancock, and Larry McWhorter; and the modern masters, Wallace McRae, Jeff Streeby, Dennis Gaines, Andy Wilkinson, Dee Strickland Johnson, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Pat Richardson, Joel Nelson, Red Steagall, Paul Zarzyski, Debra Coppinger Hill... Cowboy Poetry: The Reunion, edited by poet Virginia Bennett is a fans' dream come true, with selections from those and dozens more of today's top Cowboy Poets under one cover.

The publisher notes that the anthology was released "In honor of the 20th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering recently celebrated in Elko" and the majority of the seventy-five poems by seventy-five writers are from those who have graced the stage at Elko. Along with those mentioned above, Elko favorites Waddie Mitchell, Mike Logan, Colen Sweeten, Red Steagall, Georgie Sicking, and Chris Isaacs are included, as are Wylie Gustafson, R. W. Hampton, and Tom Russell, excellent writers better known for their music. But appearance at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering was not the basis for inclusion in this book. Quality and authenticity were the obvious overriding criteria.

This volume is a model of well chosen poetry, a satisfying survey of Cowboy Poetry as practiced by many masterful writers. Few of the poems have been anthologized previously, and the many new pieces from familiar poets offer the serious enthusiast new words and worlds to ponder. Humorous and serious pieces are gathered in chapters such as "Hosses," "Jest Fer the Fun of It," and "Family & the Community of Cowboys." There's a good representation of classic poetry and among the modern gems are Buck Ramsey's "Skysailing," Rod McQueary's "Remembering a Middle-Aged Bronc Ride," Larry McWhorter's "The Retirement of Ashtola," Darin Brookman's "Tempered Souls," Georgie Sicking's "Doctoring Worms," Linda Hasselstrom's "Priests of the Prairie," Andy Wilkinson's "We Were the Horseman," Doris Daley's "Love is Blind," Mike Logan's "Behold a Pale Horse," and Ross Knox's "Memories."

Editor Virginia Bennett's passion for poetry and the "family of poets" is as ardent as her commitment to ranching life. Her dedication comes through in the book's carefully considered selections, and her inspired introduction uncovers the beating heart of the art of Cowboy Poetry: "For cowboy poems have a life of their own. They are built with words that are spawned not only from labor, but also from an occupation with which the poet's very existence is linked. A cowboy or rancher lives where he or she works, and what they do in their work determines their survival. Therein can be found the essence of cowboy poetry and the explanation for why its popularity grows."

"Cowboy Poetry: The Reunion takes its place alongside publisher Gibbs Smith's other Cowboy Poetry standards, including: "Cowboy Poetry: A Gathering," "Cowgirl Poetry" (also edited by Virginia Bennett), "Humorous Cowboy Poetry," and "Maverick Western Verse." This latest volume goes beyond those classic offerings in the depth and breadth of its selections and surely will long stand as a definitive representation of the state of the art.

Margo Metegrano, editor, Cowboypoetry.com

This mystery held my interest throughout, both the evil guys and the good ones. After reading this book, I went out and bought the ealilier ones in the series which captureed the purity of life in West Virginia.

Plot overview: Transportation investigator Owen Allison recently left his lucrative consulting practice in California to help his mother back home in West Virginia in her fight against cancer. His ex-wife and current lover, Judith, is also back on the West Coast, and now that his mother has mostly recovered, he's itching to get back to his life, to stimulate both his portfolio and his love life.
But before he has a chance to leave his small hometown of Barkley, West Virginia, a local dam breaks, sending a black ribbon of coal sludge cascading miles and miles through the hollows across the region. Four people lose their lives in the accident, and the ambulance chasers gnash their teeth and formulate strategies for the inevitable lawsuits against big coal.
It turns out that Owen knows the owner of the coal mine, a good ol' boy from his high school class whose success has surprised everyone, even himself. What's more, the classmate knows that finding out why things fail is Owen's specialty, and he hires him on the spot to figure out just what went wrong. Judith and his California practice will have to wait, but Owen is only half-worried about letting those things slide. He's thrilled to be back in the thick of things, and readers will be, too, in another quirky, engaging installment in John Billheimer's unusual and winning series.

Failure analyst Owen Allison plans to return to Palo Alto to reconcile with his ex-wife Judith though he was delayed by his need to be with his mother in West Virginia when she underwent chemotherapy (see DISMAL MOUNTAIN). However, further problems in West Virginia postpone Owen's trip to the West Coast.

The dam by the Canaan II mine erupts, killing four and filling DRYBONE HOLLOW with coal sludge. Owner Anson Stoke hires Owen to persuade environmentalist Judge Carter Vereen that despite the toll, his operations remain safe and should stay open. Judge Vereen orders an investigation of all impoundment dams sitting on mines, which leads to state attorney general Hayes Boyer asking Owen to head the inquiry, but demanding a kickback of 15% of Owen's fee. Owen rejects the offer, but turns to his friend Sheriff Thad Reader to set a trap to expose those using fixed contracts, but the law enforcement official deals with a full plate already as a local has probably been abducted. So Owen plunges ahead knowing he will receive limited support from his buddy, but mine engineer Emily Kruk makes it worth while to stay in West Virginia a bit longer.

Though the "will he reconcile or not" becomes a bit annoying, readers will appreciate the latest Owen Allison investigative tale. Most of the audience will kick themselves when they see how obvious John Billheimer's plot solves the mystery as the clues are all provided, but so devilishly done that most fans (including this sore reviewer) will fail to see it. The cast is a delight with the hero at his best when he investigates.

Harriet Klausner

Another great Owen Alison book. As usual, we get to meet an array of quirky, well-drawn characters, including the larcenous Cable Stokes, his brother Anson, and mining engineer Emily Kruk. Billheimer's book are always a fun blend of humor and excitement--the book really races along.

One of the pleasures of this series is watching Owen's relationships with other characters deepen an grow as the books progress. Though you don't need to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one, if this is your first Owen Alison book you'll want to go back and read the others just to find out what's happened in the past. These books are one of my favorite mystery series.

Fans of John Billheimer's Owen Allison series will enjoy this latest episode. Billheimer's talent for dialog reveals more about the West Virginia psyche in this book than all the others combined. And the action is fast paced from beginning to end. I could not put it down. Especially interesting is the re-emergence of characters from earlier books who play a key role. Billheimer character development continues to an unexpected ending. You come away asking if there could be other scams this region of the country could suffer. I expect we will see this answers in upcoming books from this fine author.

This short biography of the author's childhood is a wonderful coming of age story in the harsh mining environment of Southern West Virginia, and is somewhat similar to "Crum", a fictional novel by Lee Maynard. This remembering and re-telling of the youthful thoughts, fears and emotions is incredible, as is his vivid portrayal of the harsh lives of the coal mining families. This needs to be required reading in West Virginia schools.

Here's a sample: "About 90 of the registered Democrats had to be paid with cash or liquor before they would come to the polls and vote. But, they were honest. Once you bought them, they stayed all day, refusing to sell out to the opposing side even at a higher price. It was a matter of honor."
Despite the sterotypical portrayal of West Virginians, I embrace my WV heritage. Andrew Chafin is one of the reasons why. He exemplifies the inherent creativity, dry wit, intuition, determination, and intelligence that characterize many Appalachians. His memoir is a fun and enlightening read. I highly recommend it.

AN EXCELLENT STORY! REQUIRED READING FOR MY ENTIRE FAMILY! SHOULD BE ON EVERY BOOKSHELF IN AMERICA! Growing Up in Bloody Mingo was a joy to read. I couldn't put it down. This coming-of-age story set in the West Virginian Mountains of the 1950's offers the reader both an enjoyable read and a lesson in history. I was impressed by the originality of the story, the unique characters, and the author's honest portrayal of adolescence in America. I laughed myself to tears as I read about the adventures of the main character, but I have also obtained a newfound respect and admiration for West Virginains, especailly the brave and proud coal miners that suffered so our nation could prosper. Growing Up in Bloody Mingo awakens the childhood and high school memories that lie dormant in all Americans, regardless of age.
If I could compare this book to any other, it reminds me somewhat of Stand by Me.

This is the best book I have read in months!

I have read and studied the Hatfield and McCoy Feud for years. This is a great companion book to anyone wishing to learn more about the Hatfield and McCoys. It offers a unique perspective on both the people involved and the land where it occured. This is not a history book of facts and figures, but a well-told story of warmth and pride.

The author, a descendant of the Hatfields, has bathed the mountains of his boyhood home with pride, and restored the unfortunate suffering image of the West Virginian.

I Saw God Dancing: Poems (Dreamseeker Poetry Series)
This salty sweet collection will both lift your heart and break it -- often in the same poem. Cheryl Denise writes with passion, wry humor, and occasionally, justifiable anger, of her responses to life's experiences. By inviting the reader to share, just for a moment, in her joy, her pain, and even her bewilderment, she opens a window into a heart filled with wisdom beyond her years. Be sure to take your time with "My People", "My Name is Ruth", "Baby Sister", and "Close to the door". Cheryl Denise is a reflective poet who I hope to hear much more from in the years ahead.

Cheryl Denise has a unique ability to say a lot with few words. Many insights into human nature from a Mennonite upbringing. Tersely cogent ... Powerfully emotional.

This is truly a wonderful collection of poetry! Cheryl Denise has a gift for voicing profound thoughts through concise, accessible language. These poems address core human values and issues--among them, relationships, family traditions, acceptance, temptation, and spirituality. Personal favorites include "They'll," "God and Farmers," and "Motherhood." I highly recommend this book to both seasoned readers of poetry and newcomers.

I love this poetry book. It is understandable, earthy, spiritual, and real! If you enjoy poetry; actually, even if you only slightly enjoy poetry, you will love this book. Some of my favorites are: God and Farmers, Mother God, Mennonite Poet, Quilt Makers, Heaven and Things, and Martha's Story. I like to have extra copies at all times, to give as gifts.

The book is an interesting account of the struggle for western Virginia in 1861. It follows that year's rolls of Generals McClellan and Lee; the former using the successes of the campaign to further his reputation and career, and the latter struggling to straighten out a quagmire and failing to do so.

Newell covers some of the same territory as The Glories of War: Small Battle and Early Heroes of 1861 by Charles P. Poland, Jr., a longer book which discusses the 1861 actions in eastern Virginia as well.

The counties of Virginia between Ohio and the Allegheny Mountains are the scene for the action in Newell's book. They would eventually become the state of West Virginia, one of the results of Union victories there.

The campaign for West Virginia is little-known today, eclipsed by First Manassas and subsequent battles. This book tells you how it was important and takes you to the scenes of the interesting events that happened there in 1861.

Don't let the above fool you.

For as author Newell points out so clearly and so accurately in this captivating account of the little-known Fall 1861 campaign in West Virginia, McClellan had much going for him as Lee had much against him.

For McClellan and the Union, it was McClellan's devout yet crusty subordinate, General William S. Rosecrans who deserves much of the credit for the Union victory. Rosecrans was aggressive, and he didn't hesitate whereas his boss did. Indeed, Rosecrans own career skyrocketed after his success in West Virginia, only to nose dive so quickly two years later at Chickamauga.

McClellan also had the services of General Jacob Cox of Ohio, who would later distinguish himself in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, and of the famed explorer Frederic West Lander, who at one time rivalled Fremont in his Westward explorations, but who died so suddenly after the West Virginia campaign.

Also involved was a then little-known NCO named Ambrose Bierce, whose own macabre writings, including "A Horse-Man in the Sky" and "The Mocking Bird" came directly out of his experiences serving in an Indiana regiment during the fighting in West Virginia. If you like the twist and turns of Bierce's fiction, then this non-fiction work is a must.

Also going for McClellan was the key factor of a mountain populace that was on his side.

In contrast Lee suffered from poor generals - one of them, John B. Floyd, bicked constantly with his fellow generals. Floyd, the treasonous Secretary of War in the pre-Lincoln Buchanan Administration, was in constant fear of being captured and hanged. One of the more gifted Generals, Robert Garnett, was killed early on in the retreat from Rich Mountain. Garnett's cousin, Richard, would die in Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg almost two years later.

Lee's troops suffered from poor morale - a fact not lost on the future Confederate commander, who learned from his lessons here, whereas McClellan quickly forgot his.

Of additional note is the fact that two future Presidents - Rutherford Hayes and William McKinley, served in the 24th Ohio during the West Virginia battles, while the Grandfather of George S. Patton fought with the Confederate forces.

Not only does Newell cover fresh ground, but the illustrations, particularly those at the beginning of each chapter, give the reader a "you are there" feel.

Western Virginia in 1861 was a Union dream come true and a Confederate nightmare. As both sides struggle to lean how make war, Western Virginia succeeded from the Confederate States of America. This is the story of the first campaign of the Civil War, the foundation of George B. McClellan's reputation. Facing a divided Confederate command structure, aided by William Rosecrans and operating in friendly territory Mac had all the trumps. Robert E. Lee, unable to grasp the idea that any Virginian would not follow the state's lead was slow to react. When he finally was forced to take command, it was to late and his reputation suffers for it. Granny Lee the King of spades was one of the nicer things said about him.

This well written book has maps in the right place and illustrations of the main players. An Epilogue covers how many of the characters fared during and after the war. Over all, this is an above average account of a small but important campaign.

After listening to Clayton Newell during one of his many speaking engagements I went out and purchased this book. The anaylsis of General Robert E. Lee vs. George B. McClellan is both riviting and thought provoking - cover to cover. In 1861 both sides had little in the way of experienced officers who commanded higher than the regimental level, yet these two men took up that challenge and the end results are still being debated to this day.

The author does an outstanding job in analyzing their strength's and weaknesses, along with their usage of junior officers. This analysis along with snippets of little known historical facts make this a most enjoyable book to read. Coming from a state born of this conflict, the studies within these pages hits real close to home!

I live in Kentucky and this book works great for my area. I have nothing to add to the previous glowing reviews. This is just such a wonderful book I wanted to make sure it got as much high praise as it deserves! Well formatted, clear concise descriptions and nice pictures. Everything you would like to see in a mushroom book. Five Stars all the way!

After a decade of waiting for this book, I am certainly not disappointed. As an avid mushroom hunter, I have to say that this is the best field guide I have found.

I live in Tennessee. I own about 40 mushroom books and this one is my favorite. It is great to have a book for identification that covers mushrooms found in the south so well. The pictures are excellent. Roody lists possible look-alikes in many of the excellent, detailed descriptions. He also comments on the edibility of each species. Should be an excellent book for beginners and seasoned mushroom hunters alike. Highly recommended.

I live in New York State and have been collecting mushrooms for years - edible and otherwise. I already own just about every other field guide to identifying mushrooms and other fungi, so when I saw this book for sale, I thought "do I really need another?" Well, it turns out I did. This book is fabulous! The pictures are first rate, and sometimes provide identifying detail that pictures in other books do not. While the "regulars" are there (mushrooms you find illustrated in almost every field guide) it also contains pictures of mushrooms that are common but not regularly pictured in other field guides. Consequently, it allowed me to solve a lot of long-standing "mushroom mysteries" in my backyard. The book contains longer than average "comments" on each species, often providing fascinating information. I highly recommend ths book!

A poignant and touching story woven together from journals and notes. It speaks of true Christian faith, love of family and sacrifice for others. It is rich in desription and brings back many memories of living in a small town and attending a local Methodist church.

This book offers the reader hope, understanding, and how the Robertson's faith saw them through so many hardships. The Robertson's suffered pain, sorrow, and adversity, but their steadfast love and abiding faith in the Lord always prevailed throughout the turmoil in their lives. Even though it was a simpler era of time, the hardships that they endured then is still prevelent today. I would strongly suggest that anyone suffering these adversities to read this book in order to gain a stronger appreciation for what we have and to gain faith and understanding for tomorrow.

Shadow Dawn is a one-year diary/journal kept by a pioneer "steel magnolia" during the mid-thirties. Mary Adelaide Webb and her Methodist minister husband, Doctor Webb, take the reader on a journey of faith of the shadows before miracle drugs or bypass surgery as well as the joys of their "holy vow" kept throughout a forty-year Christian marriage. The reader is swept up in the optimism Mrs. Webb exhibits even under dire circumstances and the grace she imparts through her thoughts and actions. I wish I could have known Mary Webb; what an inspiration she is!

This is a truly inspirational book and extremely well written. It focuses on the life of two people after the Civil War and the struggles they endured and gives the reader hope and encouragement for a better tomorrow in the world we live. Those principles applied at that time as well as today. The book is a comfort to the hurting in today's world.

This is one of those historical events that is kind of overlooked for various reasons perhaps because most of it occurred in a "backwater" of sorts. Yet, this is what makes it most interesting -- it is not in most people's lists of "top tens." There are also political and cultural factors which have made the story and the topic kind of something that has been ignored. Mr. Savage's account of the Massacre and the related events is engaging, compelling, and concise. I loaned my copy of the book to a friend and, when it was returned, I found myself thumbing through the pages again even though I know the story. The only disappointment I have with the book is the fact that the account of the actual gunfight or battle at Matewan (btw: I have it on good authority that this is pronounced "may-twan") occupies only a short chunk of the book. However, the event was not something in which anyone would have loudly admitted participation for fear of retaliation, etc. The bad blood created during this period lasted for a long time -- another aspect which makes this a compelling read.

This book is probably the most complete and balanced view of the Mine Wars in West Virginia, an almost unknown yet significant part of American history. It details how and why things happened and gives very vivid accounts of the struggles of the day in the coalfields. This was the largest insurrection against our Federal Government outside of the War Between the States, and was the only time bombs have been dropped from planes on American soil. A must read for anyone interested in Appalachia or coal mining.

How could historians have overlooked such an important and colorful piece of American history? The book is a fast read and filled with vivid descriptions. Once you read it, you won't be able to believe that something like this happened in America.

I really enjoyed this fascinating account of the coal wars of west virginia. Not enough has been reported about the events that occured there, and this book sheds light on the subject.

Written with sensitivity to the quilt and the quiltmaker, exploring not only what inspired the art form but the necessity of the art form. A real sense of understanding both the textile and history of the textile emerges as one explores the lives of the women who quilted for both pleasure and need. This is a must have book for the person who wants to understand history and art form and the production of textile and how it relates to the finished product, as well as the importance the quilt played in the the lives of the women who made them. A valuabe addition to any libary.

This book provides a wonderful history of quilting and quiltmakers and is also inspirational for quilt design ideas. It is well-written and engaging, making a quilt documentation project very interesting to others. I highly recommend this book and it makes a perfect gift for any quilters.

This is a marvelous book. Readers in other states will come away from it with new or changed views of West Virginia and its history. Author Fawn Valentine recognizes quilts as historic documents and is most persuasive in explaining and using material culture methodology to prove this. Yes, West Virginia quilters live primarily in rural areas, and many needed quilts as warm bedcovers. However, they also produced elegant silk quilts as examples of fine, decorative needlework.

As a quilt researcher in the adjacent state of Ohio I am fascinated by the similarities and differences between quilts in our two states, and Valentine's convincing explanations for them. Most of the quilts documented by the West Virginia Heritage Quilt Search-even the oldest ones-were found near the places where they were made. The reason, she explains, is that West Virginians didn't move around much; they love place and family. They also had a strong desire to maintain traditional skills, which are "family ways."

Some quilt patterns were found only in discrete regions of West Virginia. Others (crazy quilts, for instance) continued to be made much later than was true in other states. Through extensive interviews with quiltmakers, the WVHQS learned of quilt pattern names and quilt-related language not found elsewhere. Through their oral interviews they also learned of a system of "barter economy" West Virginia quiltmakers used.

Most intriguing is Valentine's discovery of different quilting style, aesthetics, and designs associated with the quiltmakers' ethnic backgrounds: German-American, British, Scotch-Irish and Welsh. She presents this information early in the book, preparing the reader to recognize and identify the ethnicity of quiltmakers whose work is included later.

A series of appendices, including a summary of data and an extremely important timeline are helpful, as are the state maps included with almost every quilt, clearly identifying the counties where the quilts were made. As we discovered in the Ohio Quilt Research Project, Ohio is also a county-conscious state, so I felt right at home in West Virginia!

West Virginia quilts documents quilts from the 40's and older, and the lives of those who created them. I picked up a copy of this book at the library and was quite fascinated by the beautiful quilts and the history surrounding them (a young 23 year old married a 79 year old and had several children, can you imagine?). The pictures are interesting and the stories fascinating. I particularly appreciated the absence of modern quilts as I'm not a fan of modern art style and the overuse of batiks. This is a wonderful book for fans of quilting and those who love quilt history.

I first met Jim Clark at Cacapon Institute's RiverFest '95. I invited him to do his natural history slide show, Highland Overture. I heard he was good, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect the impact his show had on me. When the lights came back on, I found myself among others wiping away tears. Jim's slide show, set to music, brought me back to my childhood when I took the time to experience the beauty of the more detailed, subtle intricacies of nature, from the box turtle's eye, the wings of a butterfly, to the magnificent view from atop a West Virginia mountain. His book continues to do nothing less than that, and better yet, I can pick up the book and view Jim's images whenever I want!

Naturalist and native West Virginian, Jim captures the natural history of our area in a way that will touch your heart. Unlike photographer, Arnot Hyde, who in his book depicts West Virginia as cities and buildings, Jim's book portrays what to me is the essence of the state - its vistas, streams, plants, animals and insects.

Jim begins his book in the spring and gently walks you through the seasons. His writing style is descriptive and captivating. It's full of fascinating history and pours nicely from Jim's heart. In his introduction we learn about the encounters and hardships of early settlers, and the devastation wreaked on these mountains by the invention of the Shay steam locomotive. As we move through the text we learn bison and elk graced our forests. And we learn about species that continue to abound in special places throughout these hills. As autumn unfolds from the colors on the pages, Jim teaches us about geological formations and the premier heights from which to appreciate these colors throughout the Highlands. Finally we find ourselves in winter. We feel its beauty and we learn what bothers Jim when he thinks about the future of West Virginia and the hopes he sees rising from the work of groups like Cacapon Institute.

Jim closes by stating that "the mountains instilled in me a tremendous strength to endure whatever obstacles were placed in my path, and they forged in my heart a passion for life". I don't think there is a person who has experienced the trails, meadows, and mountaintops of this state who hasn't been touched by their experience here in some profound way. Jim captures this state in its grandness, beauty and wonderment and his writings will help you appreciate that each of us plays a part in protecting this beautiful land. His book belongs on the coffee table of every person who's ever marveled at a West Virginia sunset, appreciated a falling leaf, squinted at a drop of water on a spider web, or felt the joy of a clean river.

I purchased this book as a Christmas gift for my father, sight unseen, based on the description here at amazon.com. After he opened this gift, I had a chance to see it. I could not have been more pleased. The photography is amazing. It truly depicts the beauty of West Virginia. I liked the book so much that I have now ordered a copy for myself, which will be on display in my home in Washington, D.C.

"West Virginia: The Allegheny Highlands" is an absolutely resplendent volume. Nature photographer and biologist Jim Clark masterfully captures the colors, features, and animal life in the wildest and most remote region in the Appalachian Mountains. Clark takes us through four seasons in the Alleghenies. His 100 full-color pictures are as winningly composed as they are iridescently rendered. Clark is one of those rare photographers who can truly give you a sense of grandeur in his work. In "New River Bridge, Fayette County," he doesn't just capture the forminable span of the bridge. He includes the giant (yet tiny!) boulders in the river below, so that you can get an almost stunning sense of the reach and height of this engineering marvel. But Clark is just as adept with smaller scenes. Witness "Maple Leaves in a Stream" and the almost paint-like "Reflections, Branch of the Potomac River, Grant County." And Clark's prose is nearly as penetrating as his photographs. Of a winterstorm, he writes: "The first thing I notice about the snowstorm is how still it is. Nothing is moving; the only sound I hear is the wind whispering through the trees." Don't miss this rich and captivating work.

If you have any interest in photography, natural history or West Virginia then this book is a welcome addition to you library. Jim has a unique ability to capture in words and images the experience of actually being in the Allegheny Highlands. I know because after I read the book it inspired me to go there.

The images are very well done from an artistic perspective. The words in Jim's own hand make the book an experience to enjoy again and again.