Kentucky Books

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!

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK! I LOVED IT! IT IS AN EASY READ FILLED WITH NEAT STORIES THAT WILL KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED FOR HOURS! IT WOULD ALSO MAKE A GREAT GIFT! CHECK IT OUT! YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID!

Who said history was boring? Well, they apparently haven't read this book. McQueen tells stories of Kentuckians who made life a litte more interesting and were sometimes challenged by reality. McQueen has you walking down memory lane of your own hometowns peculiar folk. This should be at the top of any history lovers list of must read.

The Richmond Register...."Teachers and librarians are buying the books for their students and using it to make history interesting again."

The Paducah Sun...."The book tells the story of 23 people, ranging from internationally known militant prohibitionist Carry Nation and Hopkinsville psychic Edgar Cayce to folksy legends such as Anderson County's Wandering Ben Wilson."

If you are a Kentuckian, this should be required reading. If you are not a Kentuckian, read it anyway; it is one of the most interesting collection of people you'll ever read about. If nonfiction is your cup of tea, take a long swallow of this fascinating tome.

I read these books as a teenager and loved them. They dealt with real life and covered a spectrum of emotions. Reading these books actually helped me deal with issues in my own life. I highly recommend the whole series!

The Golden Filly series was absolutely fantastic! I would highly recommend this series. You will be blessed in a very special way and inspired by these books whether you're a Christian or not. I will definitely reread and save these books for the rest of my life. I've read a lot of books, but none have touched me in the same way as this series has. If you love horses and enjoy reading about a person's life, even if it is fiction, you'll love these books.

I have read all 10 books in this series. They are great! I would not put a book down once I started reading it! THe longest it took me too read one book was 3 days! I wish there was 10 more books! I encourage everyone too read this series!I put my books up in my hope chest to save for my kids. If i ever have kids that is!

Started reading this series in 5th grade and I am now in college but I will never forget this series. You will laugh and you will cry but you will definetly be impacted by Trish's story.

This book was fascinating from the first page until the last. Mr.Kunen has a way with words that will grip the reader as he did me. The intimate details of the crash and the lives of the young victims will bring a tear to your eye. And how Ford Motors was defeated in the end will have you cheering in a bittersweet way. A masterpiece. I have read hundreds of books and this book tops my list to this day even though I first read it 6 years ago.

I happen to know the grandparents (both sets) of one of the students killed in this crash. The book has a big impact on me, not only for the tragedy itself, but that it has a personal meaning also. I had a hardcopy of this book in the library in which I worked and now I want my own copy.

My math teacher was on the bus when it crashed and allowed me to read one of his two copies of this book, 3 of his friends were killed and if it was n't for his other friend he would have died too for he was sitting 3 rows from the front and saw the youth director get blown up when the explosion occured.

I had seen a road sign in Kentucky referring to a bus crash, but didn't know anything about it. One day I saw Mr. Kunen's book at a local bookstore and realized it was the same thing. When I started reading the book I couldn't put it down. Up until that day it was a road sign; afterwards it was a tragic memorial to the death of the innocent.

I have to laugh at the attitudes of these two - Malachi Slater and Shannon McCahy.
It took them a long time to realize that it was them fighting their hormones instead of true hate of one another. They both felt the attraction from the start. But, of course, Shannon had to mouth off at almost every encounter. She was very nieve about the attraction and Malachi was only used to sex without love.

Cole had taken off when Malachi shows up at the ranch but Shannon doesn't know at first that it is him and not some maurader.
Then the ranch was invaded by a group of men from Kansas who grabbed Kristin. And, of course, Shannon blows up and wants to charge the 20 some men who have her sister. Malachi starts by having to save her from her own foolish actions. She could have gotten him killed.

Shannon is bound and determined to follow Malachi in the rescue of her sister. Yeah! right! Way out on the trail she once again gets caught and leads Malachi in the opposite direction where Justin Waller lays claim to her. He is determined to have her any way it takes. The more brutul the beter.

Captain Malachi Slater rescues her [again] and of course it leads to seduction [or sex if you will] and finally they make it to the town of Haywood.
Where Malachi meets up with Iris Andre, a former lover, who offers to get word of Kristin for Malachi. Of course, Shannon is up to her old tricks, of mouthing off before she even knows what is going on.

Mr. and Mrs Haywood, practically own most of this town and they decide, from what they could see, that Malachi and Shannon should get married.
Oh boy, more trouble. A saloon girl gets murdered. One thing leads to another and suddenly Shannon gets abducted [again] in her nightgown.

Malachi gets sidetracked again. Dumb female!
Matthew shows up and so does Jamie. They all converge on Fitz's town and plan to hold up a train. Well, she does it again, Shannon and Iris get caught for Fitz when Bear recognizes Shannon. Fitz is determined to kill Cole and his brothers then the women.

See what the train hold-up leads to - and how the Slater families get together, leaving Iris and Matthew back at the ranch. And the Slaters heading for Texas.
Great plot - dumb, emotional female - libertine men - and nasty villians.
Excellent read.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- M -- moral attitudes out the window.

The sequel to Dark Stranger - the story continues. Shannon McCahy (a yankee supporter) and Malachi Slater (a rebel soldier) pull together to look for Shannon's sister Kristin Slater, Malachi's sister-in-law, who has been kidnapped in hopes to draw her husband cole Slater out. The Civil War is over but the Slater brothers have been put on the Wanted List as murderers due to Cole Slater gunning down the man bushwacker that murdered his first wife and left Cole for dead. In Dark Stranger (the story of Kristin McCahy and Cole Slater) Shannon and Malachi couldn't be in the same room together without breaking into arguments- they hated each other that much or so it seemed. How are they going to be able to cooperate and work together to find Kristin and get word to Cole to stay put? They say the line between Love and Hate is very thin. Malachi spends as much or more time getting Shannon out of trouble because of her loud mouth and hot-temper. But when there's a threat of losing Shannon to bushwhackers Malachi realizes that he has crossed over from hate to love. All 3 brothers come together to save Kristin. It is great seeing them all together again. The characters are all powerful. It's a good read!

The first thing that caught my attention about this book was the title. I thought it was a very catchy title standing out among all the other books on the shelf. I haven't read too many books that take place during or after the Civil War, but I was really impressed with this book. The characters were wonderful and fit well together, although I thought Shannon was a bit too agressive when facing enemies. And aside from Malachi having to rescue her over and over again and giving the reader the feeling that you were reading the same thing over again, it was an entertaining book. I read it in one day. It's definitely worth reading if you're a romance buff.

As the sequel to "Dark Stranger," I eagerly picked up this book. In my opinion, it was much better than the first. The heroine, Shannon, acted accordingly in response to events from the first book, including the horrible death of her fiance by bushwhackers. She had alot to overcome to believe in love again. Between the two books, you see her growth into a woman. Malachi, the hero, was just that in my mind--a hero. Although he was stuck into a situation by Shannon's doing, he still protected her always.

Shady Grove is the funniest book I have ever read. I found it at the library and after reading it, I had to have one of my very own. My husband had to read it after he heard me laughing so hard as I read it. He laughed all the time he was reading it and when he finished it, he wanted to buy one for his brother. I have also bought 4 others to give as gifts. Everyone I have introduced Shady Grove to has had a ball reading it. If you are looking for a page turner, light, funny book....Shady Grove is the book for you!

This is on my list of Most Favorite Books Ever! I've looked for SHADY GROVE for years as a gift for people I love, but it's been long out of print. Thank goodness it's again available. The book, which is about the Sudley Fowler family of Broke Neck, Ky, including their relationships--regular and irregular---moonshining, Lonelyhearts letters, government men, picking and grinning, hound dogs, getting "on the draw," and that old time relgion.
Mostly, though, it's about a way of life unique in all the world, and there's a belly laugh on every page.
Oh, gentlemen, you are mortally going to love this one!

I love this book. It is the funniest book that I have ever read. I could just picture them running up on that porch in that old car that was out of control. Every time I get slightly depressed, I re-read this book. I will always have a copy. It's good medicine.

This is the funniest book I have ever read. After reading the first page, I could not put it down. I wanted to know why that preacher wound up with a guitar around his neck. I wanted to know why the television crew was there in Broke Neck. This book is for everyone who enjoys a good laugh. It is just pure fun from the first page to the last.

Thomas Freese brings to life the beautiful village of Pleasant Hill with the always present ghost that haunt there. He has an excellent style of writing that introduces you to some fine people who have worked there and visited there. He tells of their experiences and makes you want to go experience those same ghost as well. This book is a thrill for all ages.

This is an excellent, entertaining, accurate of the "Shaker Experience" told by the people who actually experienced them. When I read this book, I immediately wanted to go to Pleasant Hill to experience these things for myself. Once you start this book, you will not put it down until you finish it!

---Roberta Simpson Brown
Author, Storyteller

Mr. Freese has not only succeeded at giving his readers a hearty serving of ghost stories -- he has also given them the full flavor of Shaker culture. As a lover of ghost stories, I found these Shaker ghost stories believable and was pleased that the stories were told to the author by those who live in, work in, and visit the village. Mr. Freese's literary skill, blended with his interviewing techniques, has resulted in an easy-to-read book that you will want to keep on your bookshelf.

Being a Kentuckian, I was eager to read Freese's book on Shaker Ghost Stories of Pleasant Hill. His words and descriptions make me feel as if I'm walking the village road at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. I enjoyed the interview format he used and how he introduced the employees of Shaker Village, they are people that I can relate to with down to earth values and experiences of the ghosts at Shaker Village. As I read, I felt as if I were there, exploring the buildings and searching for ghosts or their stories, just as Freese has done. Excellent writing and highly recommended to anyone who enjoys "historical" ghost stories.

The wealth of recipes comprising A Slice Of Kentucky: Sharing Our Recipes are drawn from the collective works of a group known as the Cookbook Ladies and is an eclectic and creative culinary compendium showcasing pure Kentucky dishes. With recipes ranging from Butter Rum Apple Cake; Turkey Brew Burgers; and Oriental Chicken with Walnuts; to Cranberry-Zinfandel Punch; Turkey-Veggie Pita Pockets; and Quail in White Wine Sauce, A Slice Of Kentucky offers an extensive overview of true-blue Kentucky cookery. A Slice Of Kentucky is very highly recommended to all culinary professionals and family cooks.

The wealth of recipes comprising A Slice Of Kentucky: Sharing Our Recipes are drawn from the collective works of a group known as the Cookbook Ladies and is an eclectic and creative culinary compendium showcasing pure Kentucky dishes. With recipes ranging from Butter Rum Apple Cake; Turkey Brew Burgers; and Oriental Chicken with Walnuts; to Cranberry-Zinfandel Punch; Turkey-Veggie Pita Pockets; and Quail in White Wine Sauce, A Slice Of Kentucky offers an extensive overview of true-blue Kentucky cookery. A Slice Of Kentucky is very highly recommended to all culinary professionals and family cooks.

The wealth of recipes comprising A Slice Of Kentucky: Sharing Our Recipes are drawn from the collective works of a group known as the Cookbook Ladies and is an eclectic and creative culinary compendium showcasing pure Kentucky dishes. With recipes ranging from Butter Rum Apple Cake; Turkey Brew Burgers; and Oriental Chicken with Walnuts; to Cranberry-Zinfandel Punch; Turkey-Veggie Pita Pockets; and Quail in White Wine Sauce, A Slice Of Kentucky offers an extensive overview of true-blue Kentucky cookery. A Slice Of Kentucky is very highly recommended to all culinary professionals and family cooks.

The wealth of recipes comprising A Slice Of Kentucky: Sharing Our Recipes are drawn from the collective works of a group known as the Cookbook Ladies and is an eclectic and creative culinary compendium showcasing pure Kentucky dishes. With recipes ranging from Butter Rum Apple Cake; Turkey Brew Burgers; and Oriental Chicken with Walnuts; to Cranberry-Zinfandel Punch; Turkey-Veggie Pita Pockets; and Quail in White Wine Sauce, A Slice Of Kentucky offers an extensive overview of true-blue Kentucky cookery. A Slice Of Kentucky is very highly recommended to all culinary professionals and family cooks.

Several main points that come across loud and clear in this wonderful memoir include the physical and mental toughness of the inhabitants of Muddy Branch and the extremely difficult conditions that defined their true character. These people had very little to live on, but they not only survived; they triumphed mightily.
As a boy, Fraley's father used to hang around the company store, hoping to pick up a nickel or a dime carrying groceries home for customers. It was all in a day's work to tote a 50 pound bag of flour 2 miles and get a dime for his trouble. (I have difficulty lifting a 50 pound bag of dogfood into a Walmart shopping cart). At age 80, he was still collecting social security from his full time job as a head school custodian.
One of the strongest chapters (of many) is entitled "Values of a Coal Miner." The author rightfully states that these lessons are even more significant for today's generation than they were for the generation that taught them. #1 on the list:
"Don't lie. Stand up and tell the truth even if it takes the hide off of you."
I highly recommend this book.

This book is an awesome auto-biography written by my talented grandpa. This book is filled with stories about his family, friends, and adventures such as Frog giggin and riding Stick Horses. I would recomend this book to anyone who enjoys hearing stories of how people grew up. This book is a collection of stories told by my grandpa and his life in Muddy Branch!

I enjoy reading books of this genre - memoirs of rural life, specifically Appalachian life. Mr. Fraley's personal account made for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

This book is excellent. I have shared it with my mother, grandmother and 95 year old great grandmother and it was enjoyed by each generation.

I read this book when I saw that my copy of the Encyclopedia Britannica (1940 edition) cited it as an example of the psychological self-consciousness of authors of "middle America." The work is laid in Kentucky, dealing entirely with poor farmers. It uses the idiom of central Kentucky, which I had no trouble following, and tells of Ellen Chesser from age 13 to mid-age: poor, hard-working, stark--with a certain poetry in her awful existence. Really plotless, it just tells of her losing her first love, Jonas, marrying Jasper Kent, his straying, and her recovering him. I felt it was well worth reading, and can understand the "nearly universal acclaim" which greeted its publication in 1926.

Ms. Roberts' book is the least pretentious piece of literature I have ever read. We see the world through the eyes of an early twentieth century mountain girl from Eastern Kentucky, where women, due to the nature of the harsh and demanding environment, frequently come to resemble 'buzzards' well before their prime. The following is one of my favorite passages; in this scene the main character, Ellen Chesser, comes to terms with own poor, dreary, and monotinous existence upon seeing an tombstone incription for a local dignitary:


"That's Judge Gowan, she whispered, awed by the personality erected by the legend against the stone. "He owned the Gowan farm and the Gowan horses and the Gowan peacocks...across the road from Mr. Al's place...and he left Ms. Anne , his wife, all he had when he died, and people a-goen to law about it big in court. And when he died there was marchen and white plumes on hats and a band a-playen, and his picture is a-hangen up in the courthouse, life size, they say...And when he was a-liven he used to ride up to town in a high buggy with a big shiny horse, a-steppin up on the road and him a sitten big, and always had a plenty to eat and a suit of clothes to wear and a (servant) * to shine his shoes for him of a weekday even. Ben told me. And he was a-willen big money to his wife when he died and always a-sitten judge in court. A big man he was. That's you." Her voice was whispering the words. And then after a long pause she added. "He's Judge Gowan in court, a-sitten big, but I'm better'n he is. I'm a-liven and he's dead. I'm better. I'm Ellen Chesser and I'm a-liven and you Judge James Bartholemew Gowan, but all the same I'm better. I'm a-liven."

* I took licence by replacing a racially offensive word with a more modern acceptable one.

Cited as a contemporary of William Faulkner and a major influence on Robert Penn Warren, Roberts is currently one of the most neglected American authors of the 20th century, and of the Southern Renaissance. The Time of Man is a quintessential Modernist novel, intricately structured and passionately written in Roberts' lively style. She renders her landscape with precision and a deep sense of place, and her characters come alive in the numinous Knobs of rural Kentucky. Introductions by Wade Hall and Robert Penn Warren. A must for any student of the Modernist period and a great pleasure to read. A neglected American classic.

The little known classic by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, The Time of Man, is a novel that deserves to be read, not just by scholars in the field of twentieth century literature, but by all who love a well crafted, universally moving tale of what it means to be alive in any time.

The novel tells the story of a young woman, Ellen Chesser, as she struggles to survive with her family in the knobs country of Kentucky; her coming of age reflects the universal challenges all humans must face on one level or another, and is captured beautifully in the subtle, poetic prose of Roberts.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to find a golden needle in a haystack, one that could very easily change your life, as great literature often will.