South Carolina Books

Think you know all about World War II from the movies you've seen? Think again. Author James T. Hammond has done a masterful job in "Tom's War," a book about the harrowing days and nights of the B-17 bomber crews who flew against the Nazi regime. These brave men left their families and careers to fly bombing raids over Europe, and Hammond has captured the wonder of these ordinary guys who find heroism thrust upon them.

The project began as a tribute to Hammond's father, Tom, who left his farm in South Carolina as a young man to learn how to fly bombers after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. But the book soon became the compelling story of the men who flew with him.

Inspired by his father's stories and letters to his mother, Hammond, a journalist, researched his father's military past, turning up fascinating stories about Tom Hammond's compatriots throughout the war. Hammond interweaves the romance of a shy, young man wooing his sweetheart back home with the hard reality of life during the war.

Veteran South Carolinian journalist James T. Hammond has written a great new book entitled 'Tom's War: Flying With the Eighth Air Force in Europe, 1944', published by iuniverse in 2007. James' father, Tom Hammond, was the son of a small-plot farmer in Greer, South Carolina. Young Tom was fascinated by airplanes and when war broke out, he went into the Army Air Corps and became a B-17 pilot in the 95th Bomb Group. This book follows Tom through 'Tom's War', from training to combat and the eventual joyful return.

Shortly before he leaves for duty, Tom meets a young neighbor named Callie and the two maintain a correspondance throughout the war. The letters begin as friendly pen-letters and turn into love letters over time. One of the things that makes the book so poignant is Hammond's reliance on these letters back and forth between Tom and Callie. In addition to chronicling Tom's war and Callie's difficult job at a shirt factory, where she buttons Army shirts all day long, the letters allow the reader to witness a young couple falling in love with each other.

When author Hammond delves into the personal lives and feelings of his characters, this book really soars. It bogs down a bit in the mission-by-mission details, especially if, like me, you have read hundreds of accounts of the air war. However, for a layman, who knows little of the planning and execution of missions over Europe, this would probably provide valuable insight.

Tom was a co-pilot who flew with the same crew for all thirty-five missions, give or take a couple of make-up missions. By this time in the war, crews were required to fly 35 rather than 25 missions, in part to speed the end of the war and in part because of the decreased risk of the depleted German Luftwaffe. By mid-1944, the main threat was the highly accurate German flak.

James Hammond tells the story of Tom's joyful return, his long recovery at a hospital in the Miami Beach area after nose surgery, and his reunion with the woman he loves.

Tom Hammond's next war will be waged against dementia, lung, and heart ailments that eventually claim him in his early eighties. Son James' story here is powerful and compelling in its universality. The titans who saved the world at age 20 are now leaving us as old age accomplishes what fighter and flak failed to do. By the time Tom Hammond passes away, one feels a bond with the scrappy farm kid who grew up in the South during the Depression, and one feels a real sense of sadness that is mitigated only by the selfless care given to him by the love of his life, his wife Callie.


Hammond ends the book by tracking down his father's crewmen. It's interesting to see how time has treated each man. Some have become successful, others have never really got the gears turning.


This is a fine tribute to a member of the Greatest Generation. I recommend it to anybody who has an interest in World War Two bomber stories.

Rob Morris, Author
Untold Valor: Forgotten Stories of American Bomber Crews Over Europe in World War Two (Potomac, 2006)

Stone's Throw, South Carolina is the kind of southern town where nobody bothers to lock the doors because everyone knows one another. One night Lucy Van Pilgrim opens her door to a complete stranger who claims that she used to live there and wants to see her mother. She is gone by morning but Lucy's Aunt thinks it was the cousin of her friend Ellis who disappeared when she was a child. Ellis inherited what would have gone to Florence; shortly thereafter Florence is found murdered in the church parking lot.

At almost the same time that Florence is murdered wealthy matron Calpernia Hemphill is found dead; the police think she fell from her room when the masonry crumpled. She was going to build a theatre workshop on her land. Rumors spread that the director Calponia hired is a suspect in her death and Ellis is a suspect in her cousin's death. Guardian angel Augusta Goodnight comes to stay with Lucy because she senses there is something evil going on in Stone's Throw and she wants to protect her charge. As Lucy tries to clear Ellis of suspicion, she finds herself being stalked by a killer who will not hesitate to kill again if Lucy gets close to the truth.

An Augusta Goodnight mystery is always a treat and TOO LATE FOR ANGELS is a very special cozy as readers get a taste for small town living. Augusta immediately endears herself to Lucy who welcomes her into her house. Augusta turns Lucy's house into a warm home with her caring and helps in subtle ways in the investigation. Readers will be totally charmed by this beguiling mystery.

Harriet Klausner

I live in South Carolina so these stories seem like people in my community. You MUST buy all the books in the series. The angel doesn't run the story but adds the sparkle that makes you never want to leave. I mark my calender for each book and you will too. The recipes at the end of each book are a bonus and a must try. You will be doing yourself an injustice if you fail to read even one line. Buy them all and settle back for a ride into mental comfort.

I really enjoyed Mayberry by the Sea. I hope to "read" it again in October. Giggity.

Wonderful book about the wonderful, small-town, slow-paced island of Topsail. There are stories of pirates, hurricanes, fishing piers and the famous sea turtle hospital. There are also stories of the Gold Hole dig for buried treasure, the Navy's top-secret missile development program after World War II, and the bear who somehow came to Topsail. This book won the Willie Parker Peace History Book Award from the N.C. Society of Historians -- even though it's much more a pleasant read about today's island than a history. Many people re-read this every time they go to Topsail.

Reviews from the book jacket:

Fascinating stories and tales ... (in) a beautiful book." Named Book of the Month.
--WAAV-AM News Talk Radio, Wilmington

"McAllister ... takes loving and telling recollections of Topsail -- his and others' -- and mixes in history and vacation tips. ... A worthy companion to take on your trip to the coast."
--The Charlotte Observer

"An entertaining book blending current day interviews with a dollop of island history."
--Topsail Magazine

"Ray's probably in trouble with (those who want to keep Topsail secret), but not with those of us unfamiliar with Topsail's allure, though both groups will like his book."
--The Richmond Times-Dispatch

"A great read for a day in the sun that stretches into an island night, complete with pounding waves and soft sea breezes, enhanced by mystical tales of pirates and search for buried treasure. ... 'Everybody needs a little sand in their soul,' McAllister quotes from an interview. Topsail Island: Mayberry by the Sea helps put it there and can make the reader who is not on the island want to cross that swing bridge and experience that little bit of magic."
--The Pender Post

"McAllister captures the spirit of Topsail Island. ... There's no doubt that this island is magical indeed."
--Our State North Carolina magazine

I enjoy historical narratives about turn of the century logging in West Virginia. Many texts cover the economic aspects of logging in terms of the timber processed. Other books detail the milling process or the lifestyle of the lumberjack in the WV wilderness. However, this is the first book I have encountered that describes the social ramifications of the logging industry in defining the WV culture. Ronald Lewis has opened up new discussions of how early steam technology impacted the remote lifestyles of West Virginia. This book gives a fresh viewpoint that is needed in re-evaluating the romanticized description of Appalachian lumbering in the last century.

The subtitle to this book is "Railroads, Deforestation, and Social Change in West Virginia 1880 - 1920." The principle reason for the deeply-embedded poverty in Central Appalachia is the fact that the region continues to be a colony of industrial powers. Beginning in the mid-19th century, iron, coal, railroad, and timber companies teamed with national, state, and local politicians to exploit the natural resources -- coal and timber -- and the people of Central Appalachia. The result was devastation of a culture, destruction of a people, and destruction of the environment. And, I am incorrect to use the past tense -- clear-cutting of forests continues and "mountain-top removal" mining continue to destroy the culture, communities, and landscape of Central Appalachia. Lewis' book is an excellent description of what happens when politicians and industrial leaders join in league to exploit a region.

Note that this book deals with events of 1880 - 1920 -- so why is it important today? Because what was done to Central Appalachia in that period is being done to the rest of us today under the guise of "economic globalization." For example, the people of McDowell County, WV, are powerless in the face of Norfolk Southern (railroad company) because NS owns 85 percent of the land in the county. Just exactly what do you think will happen when "global" corporations own the factories, the minerals, and the workers? The experience of Appalachia with industrial and political exploitation is the same experience that awaits all of us under "economic globalization."

THIS BOOK IS JUST THE RIGHT SIZE TO TAKE W/YOU EVERYWHERE YOU GO. EASY TO FIND THE TREE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR CLEAR PICTUES OF BOTH THE LEAVES AND THE BARK OF THE TREE. I LOVE THIS BOOK AND IT IS DENFENIATELY THE BEST SO FAR!

I purchased this book to help me get started identifying trees on my own property, and it has been a great help. Everything in this small book is concise, clear, and easy to understand. Pictures are great and the information is thorough but not overwhelming. If you're looking for a starter book on identifying trees in the Carolinas, you'll appreciate having this book in your library.

People often tend to think that during the days of segregation, Blacks meekly submitted to racist attacks and lynching. Tom Rubillo exposes one of many little known cases where African-Americans chose to fight the power as opposed to submitting to such atrocities. The story is well researched and the scene where the Blacks refuse to allow John Brownfield to be lynched (1,000 strong chanting "Free John! Free John!") is tailor-made for the cinema and will make you put the book down and cheer!

The only weakness in this book displays Rubillo's knowledge of the legal profession by getting a bit heavy into the legal explanations which occasionally holds up the story. That aside, it's an excellent book for fans of underground history.

Someone send Denzel a copy.

Tom Rubillo's work "Trial and Error" gives excellent insight into the race relations of the South and how the Jim Crow mentality influenced criminal trials. Rubillo does an excellent job with his research as he examines the trial of John Brownfield. Important read for those interested in law or history, but an enjoyable read for anyone, regardless of interests.

I loved the pictures, and am extremely proud & happy because this is a beautiful, classy & wonderfully put together collection of pictures of Black South Carolinians during this period in time.

This book was a visual journey into the lives of early 20th century black america. Many of the pictures could be termed as "dignified photo essays" of life in the black community.You feel as though you are right there behind the lenses of these photo's while they're being taken. They almost have an "ethereal beauty" about them. In these photo's you can see the dignity of a race of people who were considered low class at the time of the photographs, but in the way they are portrayed you feel like you're in the presence of royalty. "A visual treat for the eye's" is the best way to describe this book . It is also well worth reading as you enjoy the beautiful photography! I would highly recommended this book to african americans and those who enjoy a look into the past!

Having recently move to South Carolina I was facinated by wealth of history of Black Americans here. I've visited some museums and cultural events as well as book stores. Familiar history of Black in SC is abound. However...I wanted to know more about the history that excluded from main stream. Mr Fordham's enlightened me to several brave and courageous Black South Carolinians. His stories were very relevant and history rich. I like the fact that the stories he presented were of people I've met or descendants of those heroes. Although very informative I wished it was a larger manuscript. I know there many more stories to tell. I'm looking forward to other works for Mr. Fordham.

Mr. Fordham is a compelling storyteller. His "True Stories of Black South Carolina" contains historical accounts of familiar subjects which are wonderfully unfamiliar. This is because of his deep and exhaustive research and his ability to write about this material from a fresh perspective.

I am sixty-four years old and found myself reading "True Stories of Black South Carolina" with the eagerness of a child. Each chapter is a story of African American history. Some stories are personal and poignant; some are humerous and light-hearted. Some chapters relate tragic events in a personal context so that you not only learn about the event, but experience the intense and complex feelings involved.

Each story tells of a shared history of joy and sorrow, credit and blame, wisdom and foolishness. Throughout these stories Mr. Fordham has woven threads of hope and courage.

Whether you read his book for the abundance of history it contains or just for the sheer pleasure of a story well told, this book delivers.

Loved the series ! My only disappointment is that it is over !
Vicky Hunnings is a wonderful author and I look forward to her next book. Hers are books I will keep for years and read more than once.
Chris Sloan

Vicky Hunnings has done it again. In book #3, Hunnings weaves another intriguing tale of murder and deception in the SC lowcountry. From the opening line to the last paragraph, readers are held captive by the trail of blood leading from Paris to Belize to the southern coast. Marissa Langford, a main character from Hunnings' first book, reappears on Hilton Head Island, assuring additional conflict for Shark and Dell. The reader will be amazed at the surprising twists and turns as the story unfolds, but nothing can prepare for the startling ending. A masterful tale, told by a master story-teller.

Naomi Williams' novel is a finely crafted piece that expresses all the rich heritage of Southern fiction through the person of a female protagonist that speaks to a universal audience. The novel's protagonist, Liza, will captivate all those who have ever felt constrained by society through her deeply rooted desire to breech boundaries imposed on her from without, and the novel's other characters wrap Liza in a rich quilt of human responses to her passionate personality that will speak to all readers, regardless of their age or their background. Williams' profound style evokes character and place so that we can almost smell the thick Lowcountry mud that borders the banks of the "Two Rivers" that shape Liza's life.

Naomi Williams's first journey into published prose explodes in the first description of the South Carolina lowcountry she has committed to memory and experience. As Williams's young protagonist, Liza Marion Brown, searches feverishly for a violet among the daisies, we are seduced into her lifelong quest for color in an insular world of bland expectations and bleak hopes. Clinging to her mother's legacy of butterbeans and Paul Scarlet roses, Liza uses the past to secure a future of dreams hard-fought, but realized. This imaginative, resourceful protagonist will seduce you down her river and into her heart, revealing family secrets, shattering expectations, and renewing your faith in the endurance and intelligence of the individual. If you live north of the Mason-Dixon line, you need to embrace this new emblem of Southern feminism and lay to rest the beleaguered and banal Scarlett as your symbol of all this region epitomizes. Two Rivers is not only an eye-opener -- it is the breath and soul of the human journey.