North Carolina Books

Received my book "The French Broad", and I am really pleased with the book. If I find a book that has a hand written message to someone, I am delighted. Really pleased with the book, and the arrival was FAST. Be back to see you...

Wilma Dykeman spent six months in the early 1950's, driving with her husband through the mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee to research this book. She spoke with local farmers and loggers, visited libraries and newspaper offices, and read numerous accounts of the history of the French Broad River bioregion. The result is a very solid history of the region, spiced with plenty of local color. Although her prose is at times dry, and although her attempts to include quotations and jokes from local people sometimes come off as awkward, her fidelity to the people who are the subjects of her book is unwavering, and she makes numerous insights about the region's history and future which remain true today. The chapter, "Who Killed the French Broad?" is particularly prophetic; no doubt Ms. Dykeman must be happy in her Newport, Tennessee, home to see that the river runs cleaner than it did back in 1955, when the book was first published. A classy book by a classy woman.

This is a wonderful little book. It follows the life of a young North Carolina boy in the 1920's and 1930's. This is a very interesting account of that time period in the South. The most interesting part of the book is perhaps the race relations portrayed in this true story. A wonderful read for those interested in Southern history or nostalgia.

This is a feel-good gentle read, the story a boy's life from his earliest memory through high school. From Here to There brims with the innocence and resourcefulness of childhood and with ever-so-daily incidents that impress and astound into lessons to be lived by. The unspoken message calls upon the sensitive reader to hold in full knowledge how much power adult example wields in the presence of a child.

This is a book about the non-lesson "lessons" of the Vietnam War. Published in 1996, it could be considered the most horribly confusing book about political-military strategy ever conceived. Based tightly on articulating research bounded inside a "paradigmatic presupposition," many early readers would venture to believe Lomperis wasted a decade of research to make sense of a society "in the throes of a revolutionary insurgency struggling to form and consolidate an independent and modernizing state." But reading this book in 2005 makes it all relevant. It actually makes perfect sense, so much so that when read and digested properly, it can be used to predict not only how the newly formed Iraqi government will stabilize and prevail, but will also predict when it will happen by month and year, and that will determine the US exit strategy.
Like wine, this book definitely got better with age! Lomperis grew up as a missionary kid in India and, like how most MKs grow up (this reviewer included), become prescient long-range thinkers, groomed by years of thinking multi-culturally, in multiple languages, and knowing multiple theories of what constitutes rebellion and change in non-democratic societies. Using that type of upbringing, Lomperis asks his readers to understand two significant ideas. First, what are the ingredients of a successful insurgency (and, conversely, of a successful counterinsurgency) and second, what is the optimal level of a Western intervention in either thwarting (or aiding) an insurgency?
These two conceivably simple questions form both an empirical question and a policy question in which the United States currently finds itself, again, in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lomperis' non-lessons about Vietnam now ring true when overlaid onto our current situation. The empirical question has been answered: Can nations involved in an insurgency conduct free, fair, and competitive elections? Obviously the answer is "yes" since it was so admirably demonstrated in both war-torn nations. Elections are the key non-lesson learned from Vietnam since they were never accomplished correctly, fairly, freely, or even competitively. Lomperis states, then proves conclusively, that elections are the "true Achilles' heal" of the insurgent's strategy to destroy popularly elected government.
As for the concept of involvement, Lomperis demonstrated that once a legitimate government has been empowered, the building of respect for it must be undertaken. From a policy viewpoint, our intervention/involvement with a nation struggling to overcome a fully enveloped insurgency must be a threefold arrangement.
First, Lomperis argues that society's fundamental "constitutional" arrangements and historical traditions must be upheld; second, by being itself duly constituted by these arrangements and performing the group functions prescribed for it; and, finally, by being acceptably competent in the discharge of its duties and policies. An insurgency, which is a challenge to constituted authority, will attempt to undermine the police forces first and foremost because they are the most conspicuous targets. However, the more legitimate the government and the more corrosion that can placed on the insurgent forces, the sooner the insurgency will be broken and stability returns. The summary of this concept is policy in action: belief, opportunity, interest.
To bring about the change of government from turmoil due to insurgency and into a sphere of stability, Chapter 11 is the most interesting and useful because it demonstrates how to create a timeline for an exit strategy. Using lessons from six case studies ranging from Mao's long march in China from 1920-1949, Greece 1941-1949, Philippines 1946-1956, Malaya 1948-1960, Cambodia-Laos 1949-1975, to Sendero Luminoso's Peru 1970-1992, Lomperis benchmarked insurgent successes and defeats in a smartly laid out timeline that identifies factors important to legitimate governments. He then plots categories and possible futures which are laid out for policy analyst to mull over. Lomperis' work shows that from legitimate national elections to victory will take approximately five years to achieve, if, all involved will stay the course.
This book is an important addition to the body of knowledge regarding insurgency in nations that have undergone Western interventions. While the author may have struggled to make sense of the Vietnam War, and couldn't, he definitely makes sense of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It would behoove those who quantify and codify "lessons learned" for special warfare instructional purposes to read this book, again, and develop the wherewithal and policies to ensure that Iraq and Afghanistan survive and prosper and that our exit from those nations be seen as a victory over those who believe in anarchy.

While many Americans have their opinions about the Vietnam War, few have taken the time to examine the forces at play in this event as thoroughly and insightfully as Professor Lomperis has in this book. The true genius of "From People's War to People's Rule" lies in his exploration of the war, not as a single isolated chapter in American history, but as a link in an ongoing chain of insurgencies that plagued the tumultuous political terrain of the Cold War. By looking at revolutions and other Cold War insurrections in countries such as China, Greece and Peru, Dr. Lomperis sheds a clear, luminous ray of light on the poltical forces at play, not only in Vietnam, but in the world that surrounded Vietnam. Amidst a sea of confused and conflicting views about Vietnam, this book offers what most Americans can barely imagine - a clear, comprehensive view of a tenuous time that manages to strike a chord of truth among a mass of misinformation. For anyone interested in sorting out the lessons of Vietnam, this book is a must-read.

This beautifully bound masterpiece not only offers fans of Greek mythology an excellent source for information on thousands of figures, major and minor, it also ties information together by showing the genealogical connections between different members of greek myths.
This book is an integral part of the library of anyone interested in Greek mythology, at any level. For an expert, it provides detailed genealogical charts. For those just starting out in their study of Greek mythology, it is an indespensible resource that helps everything make sense. Five stars

The New York Times recently ran a glowing front page story on this work, with almost a page more inside. Having received my copy, it is easy to see why. The book is beautifully produced. A sturdy orange and black hardcover protects 263 pages, each 16 inches long by 10 and a half inches high. This is a big book. The work was begun in 1964 by Harold Newman, an well-known and highly regarded attorney in Connecticut who died in 1993 at the age of 93. His son, Jon O. Newman, then took the book up and finished in it 2002. Jon Newman is one of the greatest jurists of our times, serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. His reputation for brilliance and attention to detail are legendary, and are well-reflected in this work. Given that Judge Newman's father hand-lettered the copious charts on large cardboard sheets, the statement in the Preface that "appropriately for a work of genealogy, this has been a father-son project" hits the mark.
But why would a busy, towering figure in law complete a genealogical chart on Greek mythological figures? One answer is that it was a great mitzvah for a son to complete a work his father spent almost 30 years on. A second answer is tradition; in circles of Jewish learning (a circle which certainly includes Judge Newman), there is a Hebrew saying "Lomdei Toratecha Lishmah," loosely translated as "the study of Torah for Torah's sake." One learns because it is one's obligation to. The subject of study may vary, but the obligation is always there. "A Genealogical Chart of Greek Mythology" is an exemplary work of Lomdei Toratecha Lishmah. Only a love of learning could lead to a work so thorough and beautifully presented. But there is a third reason, and one that should commend others to purchase the book. It is a really useful book, for serious and amateur students of Greek mythology, and for crossword puzzle fanatics, such as my wife. One need never miss a question about Greek mythology again.
In an age when books have become a corporate commodity, "A Genealogical Chart of Greek Mythology" reminds of what it was once like, when great scholars labored for love and we the public could soak in that both the love and the learning they poured into their books. It was a mitzvah for Judge Newman to complete the work and it is a mitzvah for the rest of us to buy it support future projects (and five stars for the University of North Carolina Press for undertaking and publishing it): besides, you'll have a great time with it.
William Patry

I just recently moved to Wilmington and was looking for something to give me a little info on the town and a few chills. I was not disappointed.

Ghosts Of Old Wilmington combines a little local history with a little spooky stuff. It is not written in a tongue-and-cheek fashion, nor does it take itself too seriously. Rather, the author (who runs the local Ghost Walk, which was featured on The Travel Channel on one of their Top 10 Best shows)gives a nice history of each haunted place, then tells you about it's ghostly activities in a fun way. great book for a cold winters night or a day at the beach.

What an incredibly frightening book! It reads like Stephen King, only this stuff is real. I couldn't sleep for two days after reading it! I love the fact that the book is so well researched (giving you a good sense of where these ghosts come from), and that each story talks about recent occurrences. The photos are also great. I recommend this book for anyone interested in unusual history or a good scare!

Henry Wise is an interesting and enigmatic character in himself, but he is brought to life with brilliance by Dr. Simpson. This well written, scholarly work brings the person of Henry Wise into our lives as a real erson, and puts us into Wise's world. We realize the relationship between the "Good Southerner" and the other leaders who populated his world. It offers a fresh look at the period that must be seen as the most interesting and highly influential period. We anxiously await your next great volume, Dr. Simpson.

Professor Simpson's scholarship is an admirable feat. He provides an extensive biography of Henry A. Wise, and the politics of the union, with the purpose of asserting the supremacy of individual agency. Simpson's treatment of the John Brown raid, and the over laying psychology behind it, is of particular interest. The work's oratory and articulation is of the highest quality.

I am doing a paper on the preaching of Whitefield and Edwards during the Great Awakening, so I almost jumped for joy when this book came in the mail! Here you have theological treatises and tracts and narratives from revivalists who witnessed the tremendous workings of God during the time of the TransAtlantic religious revivals. You have Samuel Blair's faithful narrative of the revival in 1744 Pennsylvania, George Whitefield's eyewitness reports from his journals, and even some of the anti-revival literature of Charles Chauncey.

You also have the regrettable reports of the extremism encouraged by James Davenport as well as some of Jonathan Edwards' later reflections.

The bottom line is that this is a treasure trove of primary source data about the years of revival in the colonies. A must have for those interested in this era of history.

This book is put together well; the documents are in a good order that helps give the reader an overview of the Great Awakening. As a Christian, the documents are inspiring and interesting because some of them give a glimpse of people who were fervent for and enjoying the Lord. The freshness of their contact with the Lord as seen in these primary sources is similar to our fresh experiences of the Lord today!

Grits and Glory follows the path of the earlier "Glory" books, which means it's a good mystery, full of characters that you care about, and a wonderful setting - Glory, North Carolina. The authors feature a new character with each book, who has a connection to the characters we read about in earlier books. It makes for an interesting slant for the series, making you feel you're still with old friends but with a new character to root for and worry about. Gentle humor, scenes with excitement, mystery and sweet romance. What more could you ask for?

I first read the Benrey's book Dead as a Scone and loved it so much that I became an instant fan. This series of mysteries set on the town of Glory did not let me down. It was great to visit the town again and get a chance to see how all of the previous characters are doing. The story itself was interesting and did keep my interest throughout the book. I have fun guessing to see who did it. Also the theme of not letting your past dictate the future really spoke to me and I so hope the authors read this and know how much just reading this book has encouraged me. Please keep writing!

As with the other titles in this series by Bishir, they just don't get any better. The three books together offer a complete survey of historic architecture in North Carolina. There are many small black and white photographs included, good maps, essays that place the structures in historical context, addresses and precise dating, all grouped by county and organized around the principal towns in each. Many an AIA guide attempts this format and falls far short.

I liked this series so much I bought it twice--one to save and one to use.

This is a book of wonder and revelation, illuminating the history and splendor of one of America's most magical regions. It will make you want to learn more and more and then drive the Blue Ridge Parkway.

As the author of novels about the Mitchell family who lived on the Guilford Courthouse battlefield,I am meticulous about historical facts being correct.I found John Hairr's book to be one of the most useful and accurate reference books.There are many books written on the American Revolution but few give sufficent details about this pivotal battle. I recommend this book to anyone who wants authoritative information on The Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

As a long time fan of the American Revolution, I happily purchased this title. I was pleasantly surprised. Although it is not a long book, it is very tightly focused on the leading participants, Greene and Cornwallis, as they head toward their monumental battle at Guilford Courthouse.

The background and information provided on the men, strategies, backgrounds, and development of the campaign is outstanding, as are the maps, which are the best I have ever seen on this battle. The writing is also outstanding--very flowing and poetic, and yet scholarly, complex, and fast-paced. The author has a literary "hook" at the beginning and end of every chapter. Indeed, the begins with Greene surveying the field at Guilford and deploying his men--and then goes back in time and marches the armies in place.

Highly recommended.