South Carolina Books

Having grown up back in a day when we were taught Antebellum life was a monolithic experience for African Americans, books like this - opening an entirely new door on that era - always fascinate me even though by now, I know better. For example, who knew that some slaves hired themselves out on steamboats for a few weeks or months with no intention of escaping, but simply as respite from the hardships of plantation life?

The title is obviously a play on Mark Twain's nostalgic memoir. Though Buchanan does find some similarities between Twain's liberating experience of the Great River and the opportunities afforded African Americans by the western rivers - for example, mind broadening mobility, communication networks, accumulation of assets by both slave and free persons through labor or trade, and of course, escape routes for fugitives - he notes the dark side absent from steamboat nostalgia is the fact that the horrible "Second Middle Passage" broke up families and transported thousands of slaves in deplorable conditions into the Deep South.

Whether exploring the lives and culture of steamboat workers, free black travelers, abolitionists or scoundrels, the author draws upon the experiences and observations of many individuals through a variety of primary and secondary sources (including slave narratives and travel accounts) demonstrating how multifarious and uncategorizable the experiences of these men and women were. Even many of the laws and customs attempting to control black movement were circumvented in this fluid economy.

Buchanan's writing is concise, and his narrative flows smoothly. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in maritime history as well as those interested in African American Studies.

Thomas Buchanan follows David Cecelski's study of North Carolina's black maritime sailors with this excellent study of black steamboat workers on the Mississippi. Buchanan describes the culture in which the free black and enslaved steamboat crewmen lived, their importance to the southern antebellum economy, as well as, their impact on the institution of slavery. It is in this area that Buchanan an important contribution to our understanding of African American resistance to slavery.

John Hope Franklin and Loren Schweninger's book on runaway slaves is the most extensive treatments of the subject. Unfortunately, they give short shrift to the importance of the Mississippi River and the steamboat trade as a means of escaping slavery. Buchanan corrects this omission by arguing that African Americans, both free and slave, were a vital part of the steamboat industry's labor force. Runaway slaves from throughout the South often made their escape by blending in with other black steamboat workers and riding steamboats out of slavery. Although aware of the problem, and although numerous measures were enacted to stop it, Southerners were never able to completely stop the flow of slaves escaping by riverboat.

In addition to this book, Buchanan has written two articles on this subject. I recommend all them to anyone interested in the study of African American antebellum life.

Buchanan weaves the compelling narratives of slave, free black, and white workers and passengers on Mississippi steamboats with extensive archival information.

He shows how the river network and steamboat work allowed them to craft multiple ways to resist slavery, poor labor conditions, and the separation of families.

This is a history book with broad appeal to non-historians as well.

We have just chosen The Calling for our book club.
I would highly reecomend the book for an intermediate reader.
The author's use of methaphor's is very entertaining and helps to get the point across.
Esta Lea, the main character, has a very interesting lesson to share.
Overall the book is very thought provoking and makes for an excellent discussion.

The Calling was a great book written by Cathryn Clinton. I would give this book five stars. My favorite character was Esther Leah Ridley(Esta Lea)because she went around and healed people. My favorite part of the story was when Esta Lea healed her nana because that is when Esta Lea first realized that she had the power to heal people. I would recommed this book to a friend who enjoys stories that have sad,happy, and some scary parts in it.

This is the first book I read by Cathryn Clinton and I look forward to more from her!

I found myself drawn into the lives of the characters, especially "Esta Lea," who tells the story from her perspective. The book touched the full range of emotions - from laughter, to anger, to tears. At several points, I had to remind myself it was "only a story" because I began to care for Esta Lea as I would my own teenage daughter.

This is a poignant story of the very personal, yet at times very public, struggle we all face in matters of faith and religious convictions. Even those with no exposure to the culture of Esta Lea's world will be able to relate to some of the basic questions of life and faith she wrestled with.

My only disappointment with the book was a desire for more. I hope the author provides a sequel.

I've already selected this book to share as a gift with many friends and acquaintances. Those who have read it share my enjoyment - and I hope you do too!

This is one awesome map. The map really speaks for itself, so take a look at some of the closeups available on the company's website (google the title - the website will be in the first page of results) It does not cover the area towards the Citidel and MUSC, but I found every detail of the coverage area to be highly accurate. Definitely worth the price - the map is pretty large. I actually got the poster version, available on the website, and more suitible for display.

Having grown up in Charleston, I looked at this map first to find the details of the places I knew best. It was almost shocking to find the dormer window of my old bedroom in the upstairs half of the house we rented on South Battery St. Details like this make this map amazing, and the map is filled with them. Hidden gardens, oddly shaped roofs, tiny carriage houses are all revealed in stunning detail. For anyone who loves Charleston, this map is a work that reveals her beauty through the details. For anyone just getting to know the city, it will give you insight to hidden treasures that even locals would normally miss. The overall presentation of the map is first rate. Even the package (a clever heavy paper sleeve that opens like a book) is thoughtfully designed and beautifully executed. I strongly recommend this map to anyone who is visiting Charleston, or to anyone who lives there and loves the city.

I have lived here for 9 years and this is the first map that does this wonderful city justice (besides the historical maps!). While it does not look like the 'old Charleston' maps of the Civil War, it has everything any tourist, resident, or map enthusiast must have. If your visiting Charleston, bring it along as a up-to-date guide to the city. If your a resident, this is actually a contemporary map that is perfect for a wall in your office or home. If your a map enthusiest, take notes on what Morris and Bailey have done to put the Holy City on the map!

A very well done guidebook. Location information is especially helpful. Kelley made extraordinary efforts to contact climbers of early routes to obtain accurate historical data. We can only hope Kelley will put together a fourth edition.

This is the third copy of this guide I have owned. I wore out two copies of the 2nd edition. This latest edition is superb in the descriptions, details and advice offered.

This book is must have to anyone climbing in North Carolina. Especially if new to the area. It is a very well thought out and produced book, The Photos and topos are very useful,a nd the line drawings are very clear. It covers all of the good Climbs I know about in the state.

This book, and a traveling exhibit due at Yale this fall and The Smithsonian in early next year, captures the feelings and human aspect of what happens when a family owned furniture factory is closed due to a hostile takeover. The pictures and accompaning text document from an historical and extremely personal perspective the lives of workers in a small town in North Carolina, dependant on each other and the factory, and the devastation that occurs when big city, outside forces make an impersonal decision regarding people 1000 miles away.

a reasonably balanced view of a factory closing that doesn't make the owner out to be a devil (although some former workers clearly feel that way). Shows the human side of what happens when decisions are made based on the aseptic "bottom line". If anything, the book is not hard enough on the original family, the 1st generation that admirably built the company and the second generation that let it deteriorate (the book details how the 2 family members at the top didn't even talk to one another and used separate entrances to the building! Is it any wonder the financials deteriorated and they had to sell?)

The only thing missing is an interview with the capitalist that closed the plant. If they tried and he refused the book ought to say so, otherwise it seems that at least a few pages could have been devoted to his side of the story.

All in all, though, a great book to read, as a counterbalance for all of us that invest thru our 401Ks and retirement accounts expecting great returns and divorced from how those returns are obtained (and at what cost to some people).

This book does an excellent job of demonstrating the effects of a factory closing in a small southern town. As a former resident of the town (childhood home) and a former worker in the machine room and rubbing room of White's Furniture Factory, I was amazed at the depth of analysis and truthfulness in this book. This book demonstrated how the closing of a factory not only affects the workers, but prior workers, and the entire population of the town. I was surprised to see the pictures that were included that told a story all to themselves. This book is highly recommended for college professors wishing to pursue the effects of a factory closing and other downsizing efforts on a small town's population. A great story line supplemented by outstanding pictures as the authors take the reader through the last years of a 100+ year factory that the entire town centered their lives around. Highly recommended for those interested in the effects of a closing on the local population.

A landmark book, Coastal Waters reflects the creative genius of a natural photographer in complete harmony with his world. Not since Ansel Adams's indepth studies of the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of the West has another artist been so in touch with the life and images in his daily world. Please give us more of this talented young man's work.

His best work since "Seashells of North Carolina." A talented photographic tribute to a treasured coastal area.

A "picture book" of the highest calibre. This is one of the most calming and beautiful books I've ever purchased. Mr. Taylor's hauntingly insightful photographs portray the true nature of Coastal Carolina and give the reader/viewer a true insight into the ways of life "Downeast." The Introduction and Forward are as comforting and peaceful as the photos. A book to dream through after a harried day. I'd move there in a minte if it weren't for the fact that (I'm proud to say) I already have. Heaven is truly closer here by North Carolina's "Coastal Waters."

This was one of the most wonderfully haunting books I have ever read. Its contents fascinated me to the very end, because it was a factually supported story of pirates (not a glorified fairy tale)that told me of the unshakable irrational, violent, purposeless evil that controls some bands of men, even today. When I read the book again, I'll underline the specific pasages about pirate Gibbs and follow his story through his whirlwind life of circumstances, side stories and world political chaos that caused him to lose control of is own purpose in life. His pirate companions were international psychopaths from every nation and culture, in charge of ships, viciously attacking friend and foe; losing and taking their own lives in the process. Pirate Gibb's simple hopes and dreams died as he struggled to survive among insane pirates, disease and the deadly sea. Eventually, his final minutes became his ultimate nightmare and also mine. I really liked this book.

Review by Dennis J. Russell

If you have ever dreamed of sailing the high seas, or wondered what it must have been like to be a real pirate, then you must read this book. For instance, do you know how pirates washed their clothes while they were away from port all those months, or where the term buccaneer came from? This book tells you. Do you know the difference between a schooner, sloop, and brig? A few sentences from the author sets you straight.

You will learn that the law of the era actually encouraged the killing of innocent victims; hence, the title of this marvelous book, Dead Men Tell No Tales. Pirates were not very nice guys.

Dr. Gibbs has done a masterful work of uncovering the truth behind the legend of the pirate, Charles Gibbs,whose real name was James Jeffers. As you read through this book, you will be amazed at the countless hours of research that have gone into this work. This true story was researched across many continents and countless sources of information, including questionable newspaper accounts of the day.

What emerges is a fascinating account of how the pirate Charles Gibbs (Jeffers) came to be hanged for his misdeeds. How they hanged him is quite interesting (and scary) as you will note. Dr. Gibbs traces and outlines Gibbs' fascinating career and guides us through the information that must be totally eliminated or at least taken with a high dose of skepticism.

If you are interested in pirates, then you must read this book to get the real story. If you aren't interested in pirates, then you should still read this book to get a glimpse of a unique and fascinating period of American history.

"The murderous pirate Charles Gibbs plundered his way across the Caribbean, boasting and bellowing all the way. Buy this book for every Walter Mitty daydreamer in your life."

Kilgo's use of seemingly simple words and turns of phrases paint a deep and emotional album of memories of a life well worth recalling. And in doing so, he stirs long-forgotten memories of your own life. There are MANY sentences/paragraphs/pages that are simply powerful. On more than one occassion, you will find yourself re-reading passages and connecting them to experiences of your own. The rare times that you do not find a common experience, Kilgo writes in such a way that you can't help but see the moments unfold. Much more than just "hunt club stories", this book respectfully looks at wildlife and friendship... and how the combination of those two elements made them both more substantial. If you read this book once, you will read it again and again. What a wonderful book by such a gifted author!

I have loaned this book to several of my best friends, the ones I shared the best and worst times with. This is the type of book many will relate to because it reminds us of the value of friendship and honesty. If you have a close group of friends who have seen you at your best and worst, this book will add a new wrinkle to the emotional bond between you. I have loaned out my copy of a lot of books, most I never get back. This one I always track down. It is mine.

I had this book on my shelf for a long while and finally pulled it down a few days ago. I should have done it much sooner! Jim describes experiences that awaken memories from long ago. When I lay the book down and reflect on his story there always is an afterglow.

Mr. Young has outdone himself. His book not only offers well-argued insights on the subject matter, but his prose is sharp, funny and beautifully crafted. I recommend this book not only for historians, but for anyone looking to take an adventurous ride through our nation's earliest years. Mr. Young is clearly a young historian on the rise. I eagerly await his next work.

Mr. Young has outdone himself. His book not only offers well-argued insights on the subject matter, but his prose is sharp, funny and beautifully crafted. I recommend this book not only for historians, but for anyone looking to take an adventurous ride through our nation's earliest years. Mr. Young is clearly a young historian on the rise. I eagerly await his next work.

Young has managed to combine many factors in this work. He cogently explains how costal planters could perceive themselves as paternalistic masters protecting their slaves while at the same time literally driving those slaves to death in the name of profit. Even more cleverly, he traces the spread of this paternalistic, anti-capitalist rhetoric of the planters through their growing network of commercial capitalism. A revealing read.

I've lived in Texas for 24 years and found out recently that I love South Carolina cooking. This cookbook has some real winners in it. The shrimp and artichoke casserole was a big hit at my last dinner party. My Texas friends really liked the corn\black bean salsa.

This was a well written cook book with great recipes and easy to follow instructions. I definitely recommend it. In addition, the young lady I got the book from was gorgeous.

Down By The Water is a fabulous collection of recipes complete with seasonal menus, a wine overview and a resource guide for ordering stone-ground grits and other unique ingredients. There are over 300 triple tested recipes using fresh ingredients. Featured selections are Piedmont Punch, Blueberry Pound Cake, Black Bean Lasagna, Charleston Chicken Salad and many more. Recipes include selections from area chefs as well.

The book is a durable, easily cleaned hardcover and lies flat for convenient use. Friends have mistaken this book for a coffee table book rather than a cookbook because it is so beautiful! Down By The Water is a must have!