North Carolina Books

"Foot ways" is a wonderfully written tale about lost loves and the journey to find a sense of completion. Veach Sadler expertly balances the tale through a number of first person narrators, each one distinct and shines through their own strengths and weaknesses. Her descriptive power adds flavor to this "folktale about a folk tale." Excellent characterization, crisp dialogue and a vivid, lyrical narrative. A wonderful combination.

In Foot Ways, native North Carolinian, poet, author and former college president, Dr. Lynn Veach Sadler, showcases her mastery of the novella form.

Dividing her novella into five short stories, Sadler paints different character portraits that are relayed to the reader via first-person narratives with a little sadness thrown in. All are carefully constructed and are loosely interconnected in some way or another to a certain Mr. Rufe, who as we learn from the first story narrated by Mary Flora Glory Marchant(Polly Junior), had the knack of showing up every year at "the First Breath of Spring."
It turns out that Mr. Rufe was quite a ladies' man who had a fetish for women's feet, although Mary confesses that she was not taken in by his seductive charm: "He seemed to know that he didn't make my heart pittety-pat the way he did all other women and daughters in the neighborhood."

Mary's mother, Polly Senior, convincingly evokes the dark and dangerous milieu she inhabited both physically and emotionally before she was saved by the town's doctor, Lawrence Miller, his sister Rose and her husband Clarence. Towards the end of her story a certain tall Scotchman in highland garb, pumping bagpipes makes his appearance. Could this be our amorous Mr. Rufe?

Dan Asher enlightens us about his father who was well-versed in the scriptures and who never missed an opportunity to point out various passages in the Bible referring to feet. His favorite line was "How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter!" Dan's father is described as a man with a great sweetness who gained fame as a lover, for he made love to his partner's feet. All women and their daughters adored him.

Mary reappears recounting her relationship with Dan Asher and as she states, as quickly as he had come, Dan Asher was gone but, as we learn, not before leaving something that later changes her life. The novella ends with Mary aged twenty-one recounting her relationship with Bee Burton prior to their breakup.

The characters populating Foot Ways are deftly choreographed giving each a turn on center stage, although I would have liked to have seen a more complete development of Dan Asher and his relationship with Mary. At first the characters may seem disaffected, detached, and unconnected however on further reflection and by the book's end this impression is dispelled. The language of Foot Ways is imaginative, unencumbered with splendid word play and expressive observations. In essence this is what holds together the events of the stories. It is a pleasure to read particularly in the way Sadler effortlessly balances contrasting elements, remembered phrases, verbal exchanges and incidents in a way that moves her stories hypnotically forward. Moreover, as a full-time writer of poetry, Dr. Sadler's elegant lyrical wordsmithing gives Foot Ways its considerable power.

Norm Goldman, Editor & Publisher Bookpleasures

Reviewed by Tyler R. Tichelaar for Reader Views (5/07)

"Foot Ways," by Lynn Veach Sadler, is one of the most creative, whimsical, and enjoyable books I have read in recent years. It is a short book, but one written with a true precision of language and thought.

The novel is divided into five chapters, told alternately by Mary, her mother Polly, and Dan Asher. The story begins with Mary speaking as a young girl about the fuss the women of her community, including her mother, make when Mr. Rufe annually visits the community every spring. Mary, taking cues from her father, decides she hates Mr. Rufe, partly because Mr. Rufe gets more attention than her, partly because her family allows him to stay in her playhouse, and partly for darker reasons Mary can only sense without putting into words. Later, Mary's mother Polly speaks about her own history. While the entire book is enjoyable, Polly's narrative if definitely the most entertaining as she describes her upbringing and ultimately her marriage. The book then focuses on Dan Asher, a new character, who tells his own coming-of-age story which oddly enough revolves around the fact that his father is probably the only man who ever derived a foot fetish as the result of reading the Bible. Dan's involvement with Polly will later change her life.

I do not wish to go into too much detail about the plot for fear I will give it away. I will, however, say that this book is remarkably unique in its humor. It reads like a fable or old wives' tale. I felt as if I were alternately reading Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market," James Joyce's "Finnegan's Wake," old Scottish ballads, and Southern Gothic literature. Sadler creates moments of the grotesque such as Polly's father selling tickets for people to see her mother dying of cancer. People come from all over to see "The Woman Eaten Up," and when single men come, Polly hides for fear her father will force her into marriage with one. For me, the book's highlight was when Polly performed at the "Annual Masonic Lodge Number Fourteen Spring Jubilee Barbecue and Chicken Stew Supper and Theatrical Performance Tribute." That name alone suggests the whimsicalness of the event where people in the community go looking for a bit of culture. What happens at the (it bears repeating) "Annual Masonic Lodge Number Fourteen Spring Jubilee Barbecue and Chicken Stew Supper and Theatrical Performance Tribute" is the true climax of the novel.

My only criticism is that I thought the ending a bit rushed, and I would have liked to see more about Mary's relationship with Mr. Rufe. A few questions remained unanswered at the end, although that may strengthen the aura of mystery throughout the tale.

Besides being a talented novelist, the author, Lynn Veach Sadler, is also a poet and prize-winning playwright. Somehow she found the time to be president of a college, travel around the world five times, and still master the art of dialogue to a degree few writers achieve. Her characters' voices draw the reader in with the first few sentences, making the book difficult to put down. The reader reads not only to find out what Mr. Rufe's attraction is to the women of the community, but also because Sadler's prose is as seductive as having one's foot kissed. I recommend "Foot Ways" to everyone and intend to read more of Sadler's work soon.

Take your thoughts away from the commercialism of Christmas by traveling through time and re imagining how poor folks joyfully celebrated Christmas. We could learn many lessons from them.

Every Christmas, I read a book in the month of December about Christmas. This was my choice for 2006, and it really is a wonderful little book. The authors provide us with accounts from Appalachia's older folks who recall the Christmasses of their childhoods. It is almost like listening to them speak as we are told of a more innocent time in America, and the simplicity of their Christmas, which focused on the Lord. We learn about their gifts, which aren't much compared to today, their meals which sound delicious, games they played, church, and social gatherings. Recipes are included, as well. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wishes to incorporate more peace and simplicity into their Christmas season. Merry Christmas!

This book along with the nine preceding this one, should be required reading for anyone interested in the day to day living of early days in the south.

I knew most of the stories in the book and bought it for my GF b/c she isn't a NC native. She really enjoyed the book and now her mom is after it.

Nancy Roberts has long been a favourite of mine. This is one of the first books I can remember reading as a child and I was fascinated with the tales of ghosts and spirits roaming the countryside. Of course, growing up less than 10 miles from Maybinton and the "Hound of Goshen" site, I was incredibly intrigued with that story. Ms. Roberts always brings a wonderful viewpoint to her stories and unlike many "ghost" authors, she doesn't stop with the eerie tale, she takes you to the history of the tale. That aspect is what I think intrigued me most...combining history with ghosts. This book is sure to delight young and old alike and there is no better reading on a cool and blustery Fall day waiting in prickly anticipation of Halloween. Trust me, you'll love it!

There are ghost stories, and then there are Ghost Stories. Some ghost stories are fiction, while others are real. This book deals with those that are real. If you have even one iota of belief in the paranormal, you will be fascinated by this book. I own it along with two other of Nancy Roberts ghost books, namely, "This Haunted Land Where The Ghosts Still Roam" and "Ghosts Of The Old North State". Just to give you an example of the validity of Nancy's books, please allow me to share with you the story of the Brown Mountain Lights. These lights (which I have seen myself) can be viewed by anyone on just about any night, on Brown Mountain, which is nestled near the Pisgah National Park's main highway. The famous mountain is registered as a historical landmark in North Carolina, and at one of the look outs along the Pisgah highway there is a sign, placed there by the State of North Carolina, detailing the story behind the mysterious lights. So folks, these stories are REAL. These are not Nancy Roberts "made up" ghost stories, these are actual accounts of real ghosts. As for what the Brown Mountain Lights look like, let me say that they look like huge balls of fire. They suddenly appear on the mountain in different locales, and move slowly up the mountain, then simply disappear. They have been seen for centuries, and scientists cannot explain what they are. Years ago, Tommy Fayle (I hope I spelled his last name right) put out a song called "The Brown Mountain Lights". So this is no isolated story, this is a Legend. And this is just one of the many horrifying stories you can read about in Nancy Roberts books. The Hound Of Goshen is terrifying, and so are all the stories in her books. Ghost Of The Carolina's is a book you can read to your family or to yourself. It's a great one for Halloween, or anytime you want a good "spooky" story. Be WARNED, Nancy shares her stories in an expert manner. Heck, when it comes to terror, she could give Stephen King a run for the money. So if you're a person who gets terrified easily, you may not want to read this book. If you want to read true accounts of hauntings in the South, I challenge you to purchase this fascinating book.

If you've never read anything about the Blockade or the ships which used to evade it you really should read this one. Dawson Carr does a great job discussing the role of Wilmington, the primary destination for blockade runners during the Civil War, and discusses the cat and mouse game between Union warships and the unarmed transports which used to try to slip in and out of the Cape Fear River. Carr supports his book with sidebars which has stories of individual ships and also has an excellent collection of maps and diagrams which makes the material really easy to comprehend.

The blockade of the Confederacy and recent changes in naval technology made for unique vessels for running it. Carr brings the subject alive.

I found this book a great read. Dr. Carr did an excellent job in writing a book that was very informative on the blockade runners and the blockaders. I enjoyed the separate stories through out the book on actual events. This really gave the reader a fill for what tactics the blockade runners used and the tacitics used by the US Navy. These little mini stories also were idea for showing the ever changing tactics used by both sides.

As a sailor who served on PBR's in Vietnam I related to the blockaders but admired the skill and daring of the blockade runners. Dr. Carr did an excellent job in showing how both sides tactics evolved during the war with the changes in technology and as more blockading vessels were used.

I highly recommend this book to all readers interested the civil war or naval history. I would like to see Dr. Carr write a book about the blockaders.

The American Civil War has provided countless authors with material for nearly one hundred fifty years. Still, with the thousands of books and articles written about this war, some aspects of the struggle are often overlooked. I have in fact seldom run across a book, which has for its entire subject the blockade of a single southern port. I am sure other such works exist but I haven't seen them. But no matter what other books are out there I doubt they can hold a candle to this work. In fact, I have seldom ever been so enthralled with a book. Dawson Carr has provided us with a concise, thrilling, well-researched, and very understandable look at the wartime activities along the Cape Fear coast. The writing is absolutely wonderful and the story draws the reader in like a classic novel. You will not want to put this book down until you have finished it.

Carr begins his narrative with the early efforts of North Carolina to secure its coast and proceeds from there. The stories of the building of the coastal fortifications are well told and informative but it is his stories of the blockade-runners and their pursuers that will grab the reader's attention. One can almost feel the tension on the decks as the runners try to slip by the Union blockade, which grows in strength every month. As the pilots strain to make out landmarks in the total darkness the runners used for cover one can almost imagine being there and trying to make out some form on land, hoping the first thing you see isn't an enemy ship.

All of Carr's stories aren't of the blockade-runners though, for he also covers events in Wilmington, Richmond, Liverpool, and many other locations that are involved in this story. In one instance for example there is a tense confrontation between Governor Vance and Confederate authorities during which the Carolina Governor is basically placed under house arrest for a short time. Of course all good things must come to an end and for the Confederacy their last port fell shortly after Braxton Bragg was sent to take charge of the area. Infighting in Richmond, squabbles with state authorities, war profiteers, and three plus years of a union navel blockade couldn't close Wilmington, but it only took Bragg a short time to lose the Confederacy's last port.

If you are a civil war enthusiast, are interested in navel history, or just like a well-told story I highly recommend this book. If a six star rating existed this book would easily deserve that rating. Well done Dr. Carr, well done!

Jeffery Beam, poeat and gardener, understands that human beings are part of the natural world, not observers standing apart from it or lords insisting on remaking it. He makes our connectedness wonderfully clear with poems focussed primarily on plants, from dandelions to wildflowers to pumpkins and cabbages and on to lilacs and tulip trees. Gentle poems, tender poems, poems unafraid of death and rejoicing at resurrection. Reading this book lets us go forth into gardens, fields, and woods as part of the green world.

Beam is one of the best modern poets out there today. Anyone that likes to read some great poetry should take a chance on this writer. This is one of the best books of poetry that I have seen to date. A+

A collection of exquisite little poems, often about the botanical world. If you like traditional haiku, or if you like the short poems of A. R. Ammons and/or Robert Creeley, this is for you.

An hilarious folk tale told in the vernacular. "Oh law!" Must be read it out loud for maximum hilarity and it'll "witch ye sure." My 4 year old loves it so much she has learned to read it, hillbilly slang and all. There aren't many children's books this delightful. I just wonder why it was allowed to go out of print, and why it hasn't won any awards.

The Green Gourd is hilarious. I enjoyed reading it because the dialect was fun to do. The kids adored the silliness of a "witchy green gourd" chasing the old lady and "fumping" everything on the way. We both loved the illustrations. I love this book so much that I'm going to see if I can locate a used copy (it's out of print). Someday I'd like to read it to my grandchildren.

This children's book is so funny, that it is hard to read out loud. My children loved the story, of an old country woman who needs a gourd and picks one before it's ripe. It is bewitched and proceeds to "fump" her and anyone & everything else in its path.Each time the fumping episode occurred, I laughed out loud and my kids asked me to read it to them each night ("one more time, one more time!!!" Expect to be delighted as the illustrations are beautiful, too.

I was excited to see a book published that was specific to the coastal area of the Carolinas. The book contains information on all of the most common landscape plants used in the area including a month by month guide to the care for each species. It has been very helpful to me in planning and caring for my "garden."

I love this book! I picked it up at the library and had to buy a copy of my very own. Detailed, month-by-month directions for caring for the best southern plants. I highly suggest this for anyone in the south for easy to use, definitive directions for keeping your plants happy and healthy.
Go Will Rehder, Jr.!

Profusely illustrated with more than one hundred color photographs by Freda H. Wilkins, Henry Rehder's Growing A Beautiful Garden: A Landscape Guide For The Coastal Carolinas is an informatively written, superbly presented, "reader friendly" compendium of horticultural advice and insights for establishing a flourishing and esthetically pleasing regional garden landscape. Gardening expert Rehder offers a wealth of practical ideas and suggestions for choosing and maintaining plants that will thrive under coastal conditions and offers a step-by-step, month-by-month guide for more than a hundred ornamental shrubs, trees, perennials, and lawngrasses. Very highly recommended for personal and professional gardening, landscaping, and horticultural reference collections, Growing A Beautiful Garden also covers the mechanics of plant installation, weeds, insects, diseases, animal pests, and fertilizers.

This is a first-rate history of the Communist Party and its fellow-travelers in Alabama during the depression. It describes the Party during the "third period" and the popular front era. While it does not discuss the ulterior motives of the Party in any great detail, it does help to establish the positive role of the Communists in the prehistory of the civil rights movement. It also gives glimpses of the life in the Party in Alabama including Communist songs sung to the tune of spirituals, and African-American Young Pioneers. In addition, book discusses the courage of the Communists in resisting racism.

The attempt by radicals in the 1930's to change this country for the better has not found its rightful place in popular or high school history. This book helps to remedy that omission.

Kelley has produced a powerful and startling history of the deep south in the 1930s. He tackles a difficult subject both historically and ideologically (the relationship between poor black sharecroppers and the American Communist party). His tireless efforts at writing this book shine out of the pages unquestionably as does his deep, thoughtful intelligence. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in subversive U.S. history or just in a good read.

This book is great, it undermines the conventional treatments of afro-american history and although it is focused in the south it takes a genuine look at the struggle to free the shackles from Afro-americans and lift the blanket of opressions.

If you read only one book this year, make sure it's Louise Shiver's lovely little book. Yes, it's out of print, but worth the effort to hunt for. There is a treasure awaiting whoever goes to the trouble. I heard Ms. Shivers read an excerpt from this book when it first came out, and the memory still brings up a sense of incredulity at the beauty of the language she used. I consider it among the top 3 favorite books I've ever read. Get it! Read it! Then read it again. . . . and again. . .!

Years ago at a writers' conference in South Georgia, I met Ms. Shivers. She read an excerpt from her tiny novel and I was hooked. Now I read it often, especially when I've had to be around people who butcher the english language. Shiver's beautiful prose is like a soothing salve. Ex: "There were trees along the main street, real tall elms as old and lofty as the Confederate monument on top of the mound in Elmwood Cemetery. In the summers any little stir from the branches fanned the cured tobacco smell from the warehouses and sealed it over the center of town like a jar lid." Now, who in their right mind, after reading those words, wouldn't want to catch the next bus to North Carolina just to find such a place? Shivers writes like she's sitting in a porch swing, talking. Don't have time for a long book? Pick up a copy of this little jewel. Its rich, southern voice will lure you in and you won't want it to end!

This obscure novel is one of the best books I've ever read (and I've read many, all genres). In a deceptively simple story of an illicit love in tobacco country, the author deals with the deepest mysteries of life, death, and redemption. I wish Louise Shivers were more prolific, and so will you after you read this slender but astonishing book.

This book is covers the development of African-American Business from The Colonial times to the present. It covers corporations, partnerships, banks and various other enterprises. You will enjoy this book.

This work fills a void in African American and general U. S. History. It is important for the general public, not just academia. Business success has became a negative image for too many youths, and this work shows that African Americans have always been successful within the capitalist system as entrepreurs, not merely consumers. It also demonstrates how African Americans have been a vital part of the economic development of the nation!

This book traces the development of black enterprise in America. It is a return to the days when communities, including those in the tradition of black Americans, placed enterprise at the very center of their activity. It also reminds us of the blue-print for success in America. More importantly, it is a return to scholarship which concentrates on the importance of self-help, enterprise building and the ability to think and act like a free person. Since the early 1960s, studies of failure have dominated literature on black Americans. This book returns us to literature which examine how people actually created economic stability in hostile situations. It also reminds us that the excellent literature on present day immigrant groups share a lot in common with the ealry literature on black Americans. A great piece of scholarship. It is also instructive to note that Madam Walker, Booker T. Washington, and Mr. Johnson are pictured on the cover. This denotes a time which entrepreneurs, rather than politicians and ministers, were the most important leaders in the black community.