North Carolina Books

I picked up this book after hearing a talk on the the recovery of the Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard's ship, now going on near Beaufort, NC. The book has the appealing qualities of great stories, excellent prose, and solid scholarship. Using Butler's references, a reader can explore way beyond what the book offers.

Finding a chapter on James Waddell, born in nearby Pittsboro, NC, was a surprise and a delight. Waddell, in the closing days of the Civil War, circumnavigated the globe, intending to disrupt Union whaling, a task at which he succeeded admirably. Waddell's Shenandoah was the only Confederate ship to cruise in the Pacific.

Butler's book highlights seamen of the southern coast, and brings to life vibrant personalities that most of us have not heard of. Pirates (Blackbeard, Stede Bonnet) get adequate attention, but are not the stars of the show. Otway Burns, a real swashbuckling privateer, is by far a more interesting character. The Confederate privateers are heroes in their cause, leading and surviving adventures worthy of an O'Brian or Forester. Confederate naval commanders (Cooke, Maffitt, Wood, Waddell) give a new face to war-time intrepidity. Most of those were names I did not know, but all were intriguing new personalities.

The book is spare, describing eight individuals in a little more than 200 pages. Butler provides adequate detail, in general, but doesn't often go beyond that. Having read Butler's book, I want to find out more, as you might. Waddell's exploits, for example, get a book length treatment in the recent volume, "Sea of Gray," by Tom Chaffin. Maffitt's novel, "Nautilus," is still in print and could be worth a look. There are others.

Butler's book is a tiny bit repetitive in spots, not a big surprise, given the degree of interaction among the protagonists. The repetitive elements are brief and not distracting. The inclusion of multiple maps is very useful for keeping geographical track. The photos emphasize that these were real people, with real lives -- including their loves, losses, heartaches, disappointments, and achievements. The tedium of a naval career is also abundantly represented. Butler does a good job of humanizing men who could otherwise have been caricatured as comic book superheroes. I also liked the descriptions of the innovations in ship-building that occurred, especially in Souther shipyards, during the War.

A good read for the nautical history buff, worth the money to buy, worth the effort to recommend. The prose is accessible, I think, to adults and young readers from about high school age.

While visiting beautiful Ocracoke Island on North Carolina's Outer Banks recently I picked up this book in a local book store. I wanted to get some flavor of the island's history and had skimmed through a dozen or so titles before I settled on this one. I was not disappointed. Lindley S. Butler has captured the marine lore of the Outer Banks in a well written and researched book. "Pirates, Privateers, and Rebel Raiders of the Carolina Coast" chronicles, without sensationalism, the often bloody careers of eight of the most important personalities of the days of pirates, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. All, from the pirate Blackbeard to the Confederate raider James I. Waddell, are shone in realistic fashion. I was much impressed by both the wealth of sources listed and with the easy reading style of this work. It made a great read during my flight from Raleigh-Durham to El Paso. This is, in my opinion as a non-historian, the way histories should be written to make them more accessible to the layman. I have to also give my compliments to the University of North Carolina Press for publishing this excellent account, which stands out among any number of books on pirates and privateers.

If you visit the coast of either North or South Carolina and wish to know more about the rich local history, you cannot go wrong in reading Butler's volume on the subject!

With Pirates, Privateers, and Rebel Raiders, Dr. Lindley Butler has written an exceptionally readable narrative that attempts to transcend the myths of sea outlaws and tell the stories of 8 important seafarers who operated off the rugged North Carolina coast. The book spans over 150 years from 18th century pirates, to privateers during the War of 1812, and rebel raiders of the Civil War. The stories of the notorious Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet open the book with engrossing tales about these pirates' lives and activities during their relatively short stints as outlaws. Historical consultant to the archaeological team exploring the 18th century wreck off the coast of North Carolina believed to be Blackbeard's flagship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, Butler has researched some of the most up-to-date material on the world famous pirate, though much of Blackbeard's early life remains a mystery. Equally engaging are the stories of the lesser-known privateer, Otway Burns, and naval commerce raider Johnston Blakeley who operated out of North Carolina during the War of 1812. The poignancy of Blakeley's final days is skillfully told through Butler's narrative. The book concludes with the exploits of Confederate naval officers James Cooke of the ironclad Albemarle, blockade runner John Maffitt, naval commando John Taylor Wood, and James Waddell, the commerce raider who sailed around the world in the Shennandoah. The stories of these naval heroes of the rebellion reveal the intensity of the national struggle that shook the country apart and draw the reader into a deeper understanding of the personal struggles that affected so many in the nation. Although the lives of these eight men are not romanticized in Butler's book, romance is not left out of his narrative as family life and personal relationships are woven into each biographical sketch. Nonetheless, the action packed stories of these maritime warriors and thieves are thoroughly captivating, making the book difficult to put down. What Butler has reminded us is that history in its truest form is first and foremost about story-telling. He has succeeded in telling the stories of these men's lives in a way that is both historically informative and skillfully narrated.

A delightful collection of Post Cards depicting this lovely mountain settlement when it was pristine and largely untouched by man's hand. Much has been destroyed and replaced by new homes and condos, but the Historical Society captured life as it once was drawing flatlanders to cool from the summer heat. When transportation was difficult and arduous to Blowing Rock and God was still the architect in charge.

an excellent compendium of photographs which adorned postcards from a bygone era from this wonderful hamlet.While many of the hotels,motels,and attractions no longer exist,you can still find them in the minds eye with this book...truly a treasure to savor and share with your children

A project of the Blowing Rock Historical Society, Post Cards Of Historic Blowing Rock is a coffee table book showcasing wonderful samples of rare, historic, and colorful postcards from the American town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina. A brief caption with background information on the pastoral scenes and landmarks enhances each postcard presentation and thereby brings to life a vivid, visually impressive, and memorable collection. A unique and highly recommended approach to regional American history, Post Cards Of Historic Blowing Rock could well serve as an example of what might be done by other community organizations to celebrate and memorialize their villages, towns, and cities.

This woman really was a wounded, sick individual and Schutze tells her bone-chilling story with grace and wit.

Jim Schutze, the book's author, takes you inside the crimes committed by Taylor-Moore against lovers, husbands, and family members. In horrifying detail, Schutze describes how the poison used, arsenic, destroys the body from the inside, and the pain and torture it creates. At times, the descriptions may seem almost too graphic, particularly if someone leans towards being a "visual" person to begin with. Not for shock value, however. I am convinced that Schutze uses the graphic detail to take the reader into the victim or his (her? as suggested in the death of Isla Taylor) family, allowing the reader to "see" and feel what those around the victim felt and experienced. Horribly real in every way, but it's not easy to put this book down either.

I got this book out of my local library after seeing the TV movie starring Elizabeth Montgomery. The TV movie was based on this book. However, the movie did not even begin to scratch the surface of what Blanche Taylor Moore was really like. I was horrified to think that one human being could be this evil, yet appear perfectly normal. Her father was a terrible man, there was no question about that. He forced Blanche to do things that no child should have to endure. That is why Blanche probably turned out the way she did. It does not, however, excuse the terrible things she did to the people she supposedly "loved." It's a fascinating book.

I have never read this book, however I have known Ray Hicks for practically my whole life. I live in Boone, near where Ray spent his whole life. I first went to his house when I was 3 years old, but my mother did not take me to the top of that remote mountain to hear Ray's famous Jack tales. Ray Hicks was a faith healer, a seventh son of a seventh son with true powers. I had thirty three warts covering my hands. All Ray had to do was count my warts and perform some mysterious act on a designated tree he had in his backyard. After three weeks every single wart was gone, without the help of a single drop of medicine or even the slightest touch. Ray performed this incredible wart removal on myself, my brother, my mother, our neighbors, and anyone else that was in need of his powers. I am not a religious man and am not one to put faith in things I cannot explain, however Ray Hicks healed me and touched me in a very special way. Please read this book to discover how incredible this simple mountain man truly was.

"Ray Hicks", Robert Isbell's beautiful narrative about one of America's favorite Appalachian storytellers, brought me to tears, into uncontrollable guffaws, and sent chills up my spine - a literary high. Isbell recounts his conversations with various members of the Hicks' kinship, painting beautiful images of the proud yet humble life which abounds in the Southern Appalachians.
Most wonderful about this book is that Isbell does not go too far in attempting to present Hicks' vernacular speech in a jumbled, Elizabethan mess. He relies simply on Hicks' eloquent turns-of-phrase to present his fascination and amazement with the man's craft. The author's prose reads like fiction and ethnography simultaneously, resulting in a heartfelt portrayal of the American spirit.
Isbell, no dummy when it comes to mountain life himself, is able to create an honest portrait not only of one man, but an entire family and an entire region. He weaves magic, fantasy, reality, music, Jack tales, religion, and myth-as-truth to create one hell of a literary, folkloric and anthropological accomplishment.
When I finished the book, I closed it softly with a tearful smile. I then ordered a basket of daisies to be delivered to Ray and Rosa Hicks at their Old Mountain Rd. home.

Sadly, Ray Hicks has been diagnosed with advanced cancer since this book was written. A fund has been created for the cause (The Ray and Rosa Hicks Fund), the address of which can be found on various webpages.

12/24/2003
This exquisite book is a beautiful, fitting tribute to the remarkable national treasure, Ray Hicks, who took stories passed down orally for centuries and magically brought them to life for new generations. Previously published in hardback as "The Last Chivaree," this book is an authentic, moving portrayal of the charismatic Ray Hicks and his family. Working from hundreds of hours of taped interviews, Robert Isbell realistically and poetically evokes the lives of people whose great spirit and joyful participation in the suffering of the world allowed them not only to survive inconceivable poverty and hardship, but to triumph.

Ray Hicks died in April of this year (2003), and Robert Isbell, the author of this book and my father, died two weeks ago. Each had reached his 80th birthday. Both were luminaries to all who knew them.

Everyone should purchase this book.

It is a chapter that contains information about the murder of my maternal grandfather, Walter Gunn.

Norrell's book gives a detailed story of the movement in Tuskegee, the home of Booker T. Washington. It clearly shows of the Macon County's progress away from the accommodationist views of Washington. For those who are not familiar with the movement outside the realms of Martin Luther King and others, Reaping the Whirlwind is a great source to fill your mind.

The struggle for civil rights was a long and argous process, and Robert Norrell's Reaping the Whirlwind, is an example of how the movement progressed, grew, and eventually was successful. In his book he traces the lines of leadership at Tuskegee Institute in Macon County, Alabama. As the novel progresses, society increasingly adapts to the ideals behind an integrated community. The struggle for equality was not won as easliy as the court battles suggested rather, true equality could never have existed due to the white exodus of the "model city." This is an excellent portrayal of the events in this small town, and this novel should be mandatory reading in any civcs or Civil Rights History class

Great book to read after Stephen Sear's Penninsula Campaign (even noted by the editor). This great collection of CW historians take the leading characters and events of the 7 days campaign and provide insights to this fascinating series of battles that set the Union back three years. Fascinating writing of John Bankhead Magruder, the hero of the lower Peninsula, whose prewar reputation for drink and ladies combined with lack of sleep, stress, illness and improper medical treatment created a magnifyer for his failures particularly at Malvern Hill. Lee's desire to rid himself of Magruder who was a hero just weeks before is in stark contrast to his retaining of Stonewall who as R. K. Krick writes was virtually ineffective for a multitude of reasons, primarily due to sleep deprivation. Also, great essays on McClellan whose grandiose ego was not able to stand upright on the battlefield and his engineers who could build anything he needed but were used as scapegoats just like anyone else to excuse his own conduct. Additional essays are on the great importance of the seven days battles to lift southern morale and the enhancement of the radicals position contributed to by McClellan's failures during the campaign. Superb article on the artillery duel on Malvern Hill and confederate attack that collapsed under murderous and accurate union artillery fire. The Union's artillery was no match for its southern counterparts. R.E.L. Krick highlights Whiting's Division (with Hood) breaking the Union line decisively at Gaines Mill. No one knows the battlefield better than Krick. Longstreet may have wished he never picked up a pen after Krick writes of Longstreet's post war confusion of facts over his command of Whiting, "It appears an unusually early example of the gasconade for which Longstreet is now famous". That commentary would have made "Old Jube" proud.

The April-July 1862 Richmond campaign was a critical point in the American civil war that resulted in more than 50,000 casualties, 35,000 of whom fell in seven days (June 26 - July 1). The Richmond Campaign Of 1862: The Peninsula & The Seven Days offers nine essays exploring questions regarding high command, strategy and tactics, the effects of the fighting upon the politics and society of both the Union and the Confederacy, and the ways in which emancipation figured in the campaign. Included is an invaluable analysis of the Richmond campaign's place in the broader sweep of the war in 1862, assessments of George B. McClellan's generalship and Stonewall Jackson's flawed performance, an examination of the campaign's impact on white and black civilians in the region, the role of the engineers in the Union effort, the role of artillery in the battle of Malvern Hill, and more. Highly recommended for personal and academic Civil War studies reading lists and reference collections, The Richmond Campaign Of 1862 is an impressive work of painstaking, informative, insightful scholarship.

I agree with an earlier reviewer who writes that this book is a great companion (or follow-up) book to Stephen Sears "To the Gates of Richmond". Mr. Sears books gives a vivid account of the overall campaign, while this book offers some insightful essays about certain aspects of the campaign. The authors are all experts in the field, and offer well written essays for the reader to contemplate.

I really enjoyed this book because the authors cover a wide range of topics to include General McClellan's flawed performance, "Stonewall" Jackson's less than stellar leadership during the campaign, the artillery battle at Malvern Hill, "Prince" John Magruder's struggles, and the affect of the campaign on both Northern and Southern society. These detailed essays offer readers the latest and greatest scholarship about the Richmond campaign. They really helped me gain a much deeper understanding about what the campaign was like, why it was so important to the overall war effort (for both sides), and most importantly, how did if affect those involved.

I highly recommend this book for those "students" of the Civil War (like me) who are looking to gain a richer grasp of the events that happened during the Richmond campaign. If you have not read anything about the Richmond campaign (usually referred to as the Pennisula and Seven Days campaign) then I suggest that you read "To the Gates of Richmond" by Stephen Sear first, then this book.

The book is informative and fun. The authors divide the chapters by types of activities (i.e. arts, active, spectator sports) which is helpful. Additionally, each activity is specified by geographic location (mountains, piedmont, coastal plain). I think this book would be especially nice for a wedding or anniversary gift for a couple living in North Carolina.

I bought this book as a gift for someone who asked for it, but I looked through it first. I expected cupids and overly cute things, but the authors have a real sense of humor and appreciate the potential romantic qualities of a wide range of otherwise cool things to do. I think it's just a great guidebook of fun things to do in North Carolina, romantic or not ... in the eyes of the beholder, I guess. But, if you're going to NC, or live there, take a look at it.

Romantic North Carolina is good fun for lovers and others seeking adventures off the beaten path in such a beautiful state. The authors are savvy about their topic and include vivid site descriptions and a vast amount of resources on North Carolina. The book is exceptionally well-designed and will be a handsome and helpful addition to travel collections.

For anyone with an interest in law or history this is a great read. Justice Rutledge was my grandfather's first cousin -- thus the initial reason I bought the book. Unfortunately the dust jacket was crinkled upon arrival so I'll have to send it back for a new copy.

As the folks at Amazon could tell you, I read many novels and very few biographies. I am a corporate lawyer, and have not practiced constitutional law since I clerked for Judge Ferren, the author of this Rutledge bio, more than 20 years ago. I picked up this book because of my connection to the author, but I stuck with it for other reasons. First, the writing is elegant and precise; it is a very readable book. The book tells the story of a good man (and very good lawyer/dean/judge) who is concerned with doing his job right, respected others, was respected by others in return, and achieved great things -- what an encouraging, uncynical story! (Not dissimilar to the author's own story, a fact that creates an extra richness of texture in this book, especially in its descriptions of the life of an appellate judge.) In addition, the constitutional issues that the Court dealt with during WWII and the immediate post-war era remain fascinating -- and very timely. These issues are made understandable to nonexperts without being oversimplified. I learned a lot, and greatly enjoyed the process.

At long last, thanks to Judge Ferren, we have a complete biography of Justice Wiley Rutledge. While Rutledge is not much remembered today, and his tenure on the Supreme Court was relatively brief (1943-49), his significance merits more attention than he has received. Judge Ferren employs a completely different approach than the only other biography of the Justice, Harper's "Justice Rutledge and the Bright Constellation" (1965). Harper focused almost exclusively upon Justice Rutledge's decisions. Judge Ferren does not get Rutledge on the court until page 222 (out of 548). While one might conclude that perhaps too much detail occupies the pre-Court discussion, I can't think of another judicial biography that so effectively affords one a feeling of becoming so intimately familiar with its subject. This initial section is particularly effective in discussing the political maneuvering that accompanied filling several vacancies on the Court, including Rutledge's. The book's central focus, Rutledge on the Court, is very well developed. Judge Ferren not only brings his own insight into the judicial process to his analysis, but discusses some unique aspects as well, such as Rutledge's habit of asking trusted law faculty members their opinions on issues before the court, and Rutledge's exhaustive preparation for writing opinions. The book also adds to our understanding of the personal interplay in that most bombastic of Supreme Courts, that chaired by Chief Justice Stone. Interspersed with the discussion of Court cases is additional biographical material relating to the Justice. Finally, the underlying research is simply awesome--truly a labor of love. While it is a very long book, if you are interested in Justice Rutledge or his period on the Court, it makes for indispensable reading.

Patricia Hickman tells a great story in language so beautiful that it's a feast for the senses. I felt as if I've known March Longfellow for ages--sometimes felt as if I WERE her, that's how emotionally involved I became.

Patricia Hickman is not afraid to explore the depths of grief and recovery from loss, packaging her journey in a story that invites the reader to explore her story's setting, North Carolina's coast and Outer Banks. March Longfellow's bumpy ride through grief is realistic and reveals the confusion, struggles, pain, and helplessness in the face of great loss, even as she plows her way through the fog and discovers a new way to live. March's life parallels my own; her struggles are much like my own, and her path through it all is helpful to anyone in the midst of similar problems. And, in the midst of the struggles, the book is a load of fun with March, her son, their pets, and their quirky neighbors!

This is a beautifully written book about a woman dealing with life after the tragic loss of her husband. I laughed, I cried and when I closed the back cover after reading the last page, I cheered. This is definitely a keeper on my shelf. Highly recommended.

Seaboard to Sideboard is like taking a vaction at the beach without leaving the comfort of yourhome... This is a wonderful book filled with great recipes, beautiful photos and an enchanting historical narritive of the Cape Fear Coast. Seaboard to Sideboard was just chosen as the 1999 Tabasco winner of best regional cookbook from the south. This is a "must buy" for anyone who appreciates a really great book.

I've been collecting Junior League cookbooks for years. This book is absolutely gorgeous!!! The artistry and contents are exceptional. This is the best book I've seen since "Stop and Smell the Rosemary" in 1997. Some of these books are "double-yawners", this is not the case. Go buy it! I cannot say enough good things abount Amazon.com - they were so exceptional in their service to me. Buy it, no hassles, get it right now!!!

The is not just a cookbook, but a beautiful pictorial as well as historical look at Wilmington, North Carolina. The recipes are varied and doable. This is a quality cookbook, a great hostess gift, mothers day gift, any kind of gift.