West Virginia Books

I found this book accurate in all of the medical aspects. I enjoyed the story about the coalmining explosion and how it was tied into a murder mystery. This book was fast paced and easy to read. But. also enjoyable and difficult to put down for another time. Different than most mystery stories. Ms Lyons has a talent for this type of mystery novel. Her background in nursing was a real plus for this type of writing.

Virginia takes the world by the shoulders and shakes some sense into it. You need to experience the power of her art and her involvement, as she is numbered among the few white Anglo women prepared to take Africa -- and Africans -- seriously. Ryan is a REAL woman interested in REAL people and this shows in her work.

Before I start, I want to state that I have seen another review on the internet that was not favorable towards this book, but that reviewer has far more expertise on this subject than I will ever have. That said, I did find Chaffin's book to be an informative read on a little known topic in American and Cuban history (far less known in the former country than the latter). Anyone with a passing interest in Cuban history, or filibustering will enjoy Chaffin's writing style. I would recommend this title.

This is a wonderful story of a young man's journey into manhood. The need for his father's love and approval propels Erik on a lifelong mission to fulfill this need. If you are looking for a feel-good read, look no further. I am looking forward to the next installment of young Erik's life, "The Absurdities of War".

Dr. Smith has really created a great guide to anyone interested in fishing the Greenbrier River Valley. The book has a clear and concise format that makes it very easy to read and follow. Dr. Smith lists many of the more popular trout streams in the valley along with stocking schedules, lure suggestions, and clear driving directions. He even goes so far as to list the page in The West Virginia Atlas and Gazetteer where the streams can be located. For Bass fishing, Dr. Smith lists some really great float trips on the Greenbrier (including directions to the put in and takeouts, trip length, best time of year to go), as well as a few trips that can be taken on Bluestone Lake. Make no mistake this is not a story book. It is a well written guide book that can helpful to those of us who have fished in the Greenbrier valley most of our lives. As essential as the West Virginia Atlas and Gazetteer.

Weirton Steel in West Virginia has now taken its place as one of the most successful employee buyouts in history. Because of the process that began in 1983, the company extended its life by twelve years and, according to the author, "probably will last another dozen." That's a big accomplishment in a business once thought destined for the scrap heap. The dramatic story of Weirton, with plenty of relevance for today, is dramatically and expertly documented by this attorney and experienced journalist who spent five years studying the process.

Ghosts and Other Plays is a seminal series of plays that combine humor with scathing social critique. Ibsen was not afraid to tackle weightier themes and taboos, in order to shock his audience out of their complacency. These plays demonstrate Ibsen's loathing of hyprocrisy, soulless institutions, the mandates of society which cause suffering (ie. Christianity). He has also been perceived as the figurehead for the emancipation of women from their traditional "place." That is not to say Ibsen is of dire seriousness or dry. His plays move quickly, the events in "Ghosts" for ex. occurring in less than a day. Ibsen is a great playwright whose works remain relevant and vital, in a consumerist society where people still remain afraid to defy cultural norms.

If your interested in West Virginia politics (or politics in general) you might find this book interesting and useful. James R. Forrester is a very well educated man with lots of experience in this field. He was my politics professor at West Liberty State College.

The Handywoman Stories link together to paint a picture of the lives of people in West Virginia's Appalachia from pre WWI forward. Their lives are spare, sometimes wretched, but the people meet their problems straight on. Coberly delivers quirky, humorous, generous and, for the most part, believable characters. The book left me with a warm feeling and a chuckle for Coberly's handywomen of West Virginia.

This book is an engaging first person account of the exploits of a rather daring Confederate foot soldier. The book is lifted from a series of newspaper articles John Blue wrote over 30 years after the War for Southern Independence ended. Blue does not get into the political and social issues of the day, but recounts in a straigtforward and interesting style the struggles of a soldier, including his experience as a prisoner of war and escapee. This book is particularly interesting to those familiar with the geography of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the corridor through Brocks Gap into West Virginia where Blue grew up in site of what is still known as Hanging Rock.