Southern Books

Having had pesonal experience with this cookbook--and at a far remove from the Gulf Coast--I can attest to its culinary magic. The O'Keefe family, from whence it springs, is so large that there was obviously never a shortage of diners on whom to experiment. The food that emerges is exquisite--try especially the etoufee with shrimp.

This family of good cooks has great tastebuds. Whether you're a reader or collector of intersting cookbooks or love to whip up something wonderful, this book is a must, especially if you like Cajun and Creole dishes.

These obviously well-tested home kitchen recipes from the Gulf Coast are about as good as it can get. I've tried many of them and never have failed to impress both myself and my guests (many of whom begged to know the "secrets") Well, the secrets are out - and they're all in this unique and enjoyable book.

One note of caution, you may gain a pound if you merely read these recipes, and two pounds if you try one. But, it'll be well worth it for your enjoyment of these great dishes. A treasure of a book!

Enjoyable book to read and an excellent guide to Gulf Coast cooking. A delightful blend of both family history and family food traditions. If you can't find anything good to cook in this book, you don't belong in the kitchen.

The book Crazy Loco by David Rice is short stories about children growing up near the border of Mexico and the United States as Mexican Americans. Most of the stories are funny, but a few of them are serious and sad. I felt the serious stories, such as Her Other Son and She Flies, were much stronger than some of the funny stories, such as The California Cousins and Proud to be an American. I liked the stronger stories more because I could really feel for some of the characters and what they were going through. I also felt they were better because they had more description. My favorite story of all of them was Her Other Son. This story was about a young boy's close connection to his family's maid. I enjoyed this story the most because the reader can really understand what the character is going through and it was very descriptive and touching.
When reading this book, it reminded me of the book Crossing the Wire because in a lot of the stories the characters had to cross the border between the United States and Mexico. They also spoke a little bit of Spanish in Crazy Loco (that the readers can understand) as they also did in the book Crossing the Wire. In each story in this book, the author, David Rice, always had great description. Also at the end of every story he kind of leaves you at a cliffhanger. You are left wondering questions about what will happen next in the characters life, or why did the character do that? I like how the author did this because it really gets you to think deeper about the story. It also helps you get a better understanding of the story when you think so much about it. Even though some stories weren't as strong as the others, I still think Crazy Loco was a very good book.

I've heard David Rice read a few of the stories in this collection back in South Texas at different venues and was amazed at how much his writing had matured since his first book (Give the Pig a Chance--another fine book in its own right). A side note to anyone with an opportunity to experience Rice's presentations--take the chance, go out of your way if you have to, but do listen to him. Back to the book: I was so looking forward to Crazy Loco, and when I got my copy, I got right to it. Dropped Moby Dick, and slowed down on To the Lighthouse to finish Crazy Loco. The stories, most of which are told in the first person, the narrators varying from story to story, are humorous and fun to read. But I feel the strongest pieces are the ones in which Rice cuts out the humor, and gets down to some serious business, like in "Last Mass" and "Her Other Son." These stories are emotional without being sentimental. These stories bring to mind others of his works, namely "Tina La Tinaca" from his first collection, and they show exactly why Rice is being published today.

I just recently finished reading both of Rice's books: Give The Pig A Chance, and Crazy Loco.
I have comments on several of his short stories, but overall, I'd like to say that his writing is very inspiring to me - I didn't expect for stories this short to be full with such great symbolism.
In his short story, Papa Lalo, Henry was given a compass from his grandfather, as a gift.
A compass always faces North. The Earth has it's own magnetic polarity that magnifies the pull of a compass to face due North. The compass could have symbolized the unbearable "magnetic pull": that Harry had with his grandfather. Even though Harry didn't realize he shared any common ground, or any connection with his grandfather - He always had that "magnetic pull" a "bond" that we sometimes are unfamiliar with until we try to face another direction in life - or until life points us in a new direction.

This was a very well written, carefully thought out story.

David Rice's second book Crazy Loco is a collection of short stories that kicks off the new wave of young adult Chicano literature. As an English teacher I've sought quality Chicano literature for my kids and aside from Gary Soto, there isn't much out there. I'm glad to see that's changing. Rice's stories are hilarious and even though they're set in South Texas with mostly Chicano characters, they will appeal to all kids. I shared stories from his previous book, Give the Pig a Chance, with my students and they loved them. Since his style has improved and these stories are funnier, I know my students will love Crazy Loco even more. My favorites of the bunch were "Crazy Loco" and "Proud to be an American." They are about two things most kids are experts about: dogs and fireworks. Other stories are heartfelt. "Papa Lalo" will strike a chord with children who have lived through divorce or have lost their grandparents. "Valentine" is about the pain and power of first love. David Rice writes the Rio Grande Valley of Texas like few other authors can. He is a great new voice in Chicano fiction and one to watch in the future.

It seems everything Jesse Stuart wrote was a gem! In a literary world where there is lot of throwaway writing (thin plots, shallow intents, forgettable stories), here is an author who brought Appalachia alive for the world! I am from Ohio, and as a young boy (having a mother who was an English teacher who adored Jesse Stuart), met him while he was signing some of his books at Leslie's Drug Store in Greenup, KY (which always had a display of his books). He lived right up the road in W-Hollow. I told him how I loved his books and how I wanted to be a teacher like he had been. He was delighted and discussed teaching with my mother and my future career with me. We discussed characters from his books at length. I bought "Come Gentle Spring' and he happily signed it and we were on our way back to Ohio. Since then I've read everything he's written numerous times. I recently read 'Daughter of the Legend' again and it still moves me. No one brings out the color and beauty of the Appalachian Mountains and the people who live there more than Jesse. Without Jesse Stuart, one would probably think of Appalachia as a dirty, smelly region of in breds right out of 'Deliverance'. Jesse shows the gentle, romantic and humerous side of these mountain people: the smell of fresh cornbread baking on a woodstove or the beauty of red rhododendrons blooming on the hill and the warmth and passion of a square dance after a tobacco harvest. I love Jesse Stuart's world and anytime you can get your hands on one of his works, indulge yourself and enjoy!

I was raised on the ridge where this book takes place. These people were always real to me, and the way Mr. Stuart describes them is as true to form as possible. I read the book when I was a little girl and then again when I was in my teens, and for the last few years I have not been able to find it. I am happy to have the opportunity to let my kids read this treasured book. My son has actually been in the play that was adapted from the book. This book has been a part of my family's history since it was written, and being from the same places as the characters, and knowing the people of this community I am proud to say that I am a raised in the hills of East Tennessee, Newman's ridge runner.

This is easily one of the most unappreciated classic books of all time. I'm not a big Jesse Stuart fan, but this story has stayed with me since childhood. I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't found it and ruined it yet.

This book was so great that my 4 sisters read it and we talked about it all the time. My nieces heard so much about it they have read it as well. We talked like the Huntoons and picked out their strange names to call ourselves. I've looked for it for years but I was spelling Stuart wrong so I couldn't find it on the library shelves. Now I can sign it out again and read it and relive my childhood. I also want to read more about the Melungeons.

I know for a fact that Ben Feinberg has watched over one hundred hours of "I Dream of Jeanie."

But if that's not enough to convince you to buy his book, you might consider the actual subject matter. How do people in small places not overcome by the hegemony of time and space most people reading this website live with conceive of time and space? Feinberg looks at this, dealing with different categories of time and such from the perspective of the Sierra Mazteca. How do you get to Oaxaca de Juarez from Juatla? Where is the United States, and who are these weird tourists?

Read the book for the answers to these questions and more.

I've been interested in the Sierra Mazateca for years-- after spending time there, I read the handful of books written about it, yet felt that there was much more to be said. I was thrilled to discover that last year, someone finally wrote a well-researched ethnography about it. Feinberg's book is packed with fascinating observations and reflections on the way people in the Sierra Mazateca understand and talk about their lives, history, and "culture." I would recommend this book to anyone with a background in anthropology or a similar field who is interested in cultural identity negotiation and "indigenous-ness," Oaxaca, sacred mushrooms, and folklore about devils and caves.

His analysis is brilliant. If you are unsatisfied after reading through once, then I suggest you purchase another copy and read it over again.

I know for a fact that Ben Feinberg has eaten Armour(tm) Potted Meat Food Product.

Be captivated by a story with unforgetable characters. Your heart will identify with the most disappointing reality of Sarah Witt's life but more importantly you will understand the final decison that she had to make, all for love.

Saru Mubvakure's debut novel A Disappointing Truth: The Tragic Story of Sarah Witt takes us along with Sarah Witt as she moves from one life-altering event to another. Our heart breaks for her as she encounters and struggles to rise above the tragic circumstances in her young life. Our stomach turns along with hers as she embarks on the journey to unearth the truth behind the snippets of stories she has been hearing. We experience every emotion with her because Saru's descriptions are so precise, so real, so detailed. Saru peels away layers of lies and deception with painstaking details that leave us in no doubt of the depth of human depravity, racial hatred, true friendship and unfailing love.

In true romance-novel style, in the end, the boy gets the girl and as they walk off into the sunset together. Sarah knows that she can withstand anything because the worse has already happened. She has survived the most disappointing truth. Her heart is secure in the love of her life and her faith is intact.

"Love ignores the faults. And that's why no matter what, our love is forever."

In Sarudzai Mubvakure's debut novel, A Disappointing Truth: The Tragic Life of Sarah Witt, the lead character so frequently encounters catastrophic events that forgiveness does not seem to have a place in her life. But it is the choice to forgive that ultimately leads the young, bi-racial woman to unconditional love and true happiness. Mubvakure's story unfolds in London, New York, Zimbabwe and ends in Scotland were Sarah accepts the limitations of those who have caused her harm and makes the decision to move forward in her life.

In the fall of 1971, a young woman is violently raped in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Her assault will greatly impact the lives of several people, including Farai, the young boy who witnesses the crime and a group of English entrepreneurs who have set up businesses in Rhodesia to make their fortunes. The members of the "English Boys Club" become deeply involved in the plight of this young woman whose attack results in the birth of a daughter.

The opening scene of the book is Sarah Witt's wedding. From there, the author unfolds the details of Sarah's life starting with her matriculation at a notable arts college in New York City. Sarah was raised by her father George Witt and her paternal grandmother. She was told that her mother, a black Rhodesian, died when Sarah was two-years-old. Her father passes before she journeys to America to attend school. As an Art History and Music major, Sarah makes friends who will remain loyal to her throughout ordeals that occur as she finishes school (sexual assault by her mentor) and during her early adult life (separation from her church and the murder of her first husband in front of her). As Sarah's own multi-layered story escalates, the details of the secretive English Boys Club slowly unravel as her Uncle Peter and the group's head man, Algeron Fairbanks, find it increasingly difficult to hold on to the secrets of their shared past. When Sarah decides to seek out information about her mother, the truth that surfaces is startling.

The author displays a strong command of plot and characterization. Sarah and those closest to her are fully formed personalities who become easily familiar as they appear throughout this 700 plus page tome. The protagonist is presented as a beautiful, intelligent, dynamic woman who actively serves any community she finds herself a part of. While Sarah works hard and is successful in both music and business, the murky details of her mother's life plague her. Mubvakure offers the reader vivid descriptions of the global setting in which the story takes place. On occasion, the author does repeat too much of the plot that the reader has already been informed of, possibly because the book is quite long. With the acumen shown in this book, Mubvakure is sure to grow into the type of writer who trusts her readers' memories and thus offers just enough information to spark recollection.

As Sarah is slowly enlightened about her parent's past and the consequences of her own conception, the author infuses the character with a strength that enables the young woman to accept the string of lies that she has believed all of her life and to transform into a person with the maturity required to choose forgiveness.

A Disappointing Truth: The Tragic Story of Sarah Witt is overflowing with sadness and tragedy, but the author offers hope throughout the tale. Mubvakure challenges our understanding of what humans can endure and how they can come out improved and drenched in love on the other side.

This book is a combination of romance & suspence, well worth a read. I couldn't wait to see how it ended. Funny twist at the end .i thoroughly enjoyed it. Good work Miss Saru well done

Dixie Dictionary I found the book very useful to refresh my vocabulary for Southern speech. Being born in the south I should understand most of what is being said, however, I've worked in California for over twenty-five years and just returned home to find that I haven't a clue as to what people are telling me. I'm a shamed face southern boy who has to learn to talk Southern all over again. Now it's easy thanks to The Dixie Dictionary. It really is a funny informative book also a great tool for writers who need Southern speech in their stories.

It's smaller in trim size than I thought it would be but handy and useful none the less. It's formatted like a dicitonary but it doesn't give background origins of the words/sayings. Almost as if you are a foreigner heading to the South and need a quick translation guide. For deeper meanings of the words you would need to go the internet.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this dictionary. This is probably the richest collection of Southern words in print. It is true that there are few etymologies provided and the entries are all concise. However, I would much rather have the work as it stands as opposed to having only half the number of entries with a detailed analysis. In fact many of the most interesting entries (i.e. those petaining to untranslateable concepts) do have a longer explanation. There are many entries contained here which cannot be found in Robert Hendrickson's "Whistlin' Dixie". On the other hand, there are a few entries Hendrickson uses that cannot be found here. Hendrickson also provides a more detailed descritpion of each entry and perhaps has slightly more toponymous expressions. If you are in doubt as to which dictionary to buy then, if you really love this dialect of American English, I strongly recommend that you buy BOTH. The two important works on Southern speech complement the other and are both reasonably priced.
First of all, I would like to say that "The Dixie Dictionary" is extremely rich in folklore entries. For instance, there are fascinating terms like 'belling' (a wedding custom), 'dumb cake' (a cake made in silence and used for fortune telling) and 'infare' (a feast the day after the wedding). There are literally dozens of unique words pertaining to various kinds of legendary monsters such as the 'Bingbuffer', the 'clew bird' and the 'galoopus' etc. There are also words connected with folk healing like 'chamber lye', 'nanny tea' and 'fasting spittle' as well as call words used to command animals (e.g. 'coo-sheep/coon-nan' and 'sukee' , etc.). Folk expressions concerning the weather and seasons are also represented in entries like 'blackberry winter' and 'dogwood winter' etc.
There are also many terms taken from the Civil War like 'copperhead' (a Northerner/Yankee who sympathised with the South. There are many nicknames e.g. 'Rackensack' (someone from Arkansaw) and a 'Cracker' (someone either from Georgia or Florida) etc. in addition to toponymous phrases like the 'Carolina robin' (smoked herring), 'Charsleston eagle' (buzzard) and 'Arkansas toothpick' (bowie knife) etc.
Another category of terms which reflects the devout history of the people is the religious terminology like 'amen corner', 'pound' (party for a new preacher), 'toadstool churches' (which grow up as a result of revivals) and 'pokeweed religion' etc. There are also countless terms associated with tobacco, moonshine/whiskey and games like marbles. Several entries do not constitute distinct words as such but rather dialect variants/different pronunciation e.g. 'ovair' (over there), 'leben' (eleven) and 'zactly' (exactly). Talking of the last word 'zactly', dialectologists, will be interested to encounter certain similarities with some West Country British dialects (which often use 'z' in place of 's'). For instance, in the Cornish dialect (many terms of which are derived from an ancient language akin to Welsh not English) I recognised the following entries : 'ashcat', 'cap'n', 'kilt', 'emmet' (meaning ant - in West Cornwall it is 'muryan' yet 'emmet is used in E.Cornwall and in Devon), 'furmety' and 'rassle' etc. This leads me to postulate that Cornish miners may well have settled in some places in the South.If any fellow-readers would like to purchase a Cornish dialect dictionary then search on this site (there are good dictionaries available by Jago, Phillipps and Ivey). If they are not available in Amazon.com then try the Amazon.uk branch. As you can probably detect from my review, I found this work most interesting. It is an important contribution to the culture of the South and to dialectology.

Compiled and edited by southern journalist Thomas W. Howard, The Dixie Dictionary: An Introduction To The Southern Language is a fun, enjoyable, and useful glossary of terms unique to American Southern English dialects. From "all vine and no 'taters" (a phrase to describe someone who is all talk and no action) to "whistle-pig" (groundhog), The Dixie Dictionary is packed from cover to cover with wry, flavorful phrases that most northerners have likely never heard of. Highly recommended for writers looking to pen southern-style dialogue, as well as anyone planning to visit or move to the South, or who just wants to have a good time paging through some truly unique and eyebrow-raising expressions, The Dixie Dictionary is a welcome contribution to personal and academic Language Studies reference collections.

Dog Tags Yapping: The World War II Letters Of A Combat GI offers a glimpse into the catalyst of World War II through the eyes of former GI M. D. Elevitch, who earned the Purple Heart, oak-leaf cluster, and the Combat Infantryman's badge during his service. Collecting Elevitch's correspondence during the war, and illustrated with black-and-white photographs, Dog Tags Yapping is an honest and vividly human account of daily life, hard times, joys and terrible travails. Highly recommended.

Morton Elevitch, by saving the letters he wrote to his family during the war, provides a unique memoir for our pleasure and information--his army experience in the central event of the Twentieth Century. The insightful and witty portayals of events and individuals in his collection of letters, along with his drawings, give the reader an insider's view of an eighteen year old becoming a soldier. I was in the same combat division (94th) and the same campaign, wounded two days before him, and his letters vividly represent what it was like to live and fight alongside soldiers of similar ages from so many different places. Great yapping, M.D.!

A very "witty", and at the same time, "sensitive", soulsearching view of a Soldier's "innerworkings", as he finds himself in the midst of a Survival/Killing Network that was WWII.
With his cartoons, his astute observations and written private thoughts in the form of Letters, you really get to experience what it was like to live as a soldier day to day in the trenches, while still remaining an intact Individual.

Bill & Gloria Broder from Sausalito, California USA ----
We were bowled over by Dog Tags Yapping . It is the most compelling war memoir we have ever read. Such fresh, original, buoyant,gorgeously-written letters. The battle scenes - so graphic , so immediate, so painful- are the best we've ever read. Thank you for having put the war into the your very special voice.
-- reprinted by persmission Oct 7, 2004

I borrowed this book from the library and after finding at least 20 recipes I wanted to copy (and I was only through a third of it!) I bought this book. Ms. Carter has developed wonderful, homey recipes. You can practically smell her cooking as you read along! Her stories are delightful as well. I recommend this book as a true tribute to Soul Food at its best! Without losing any of the taste, she has succeeded in creating low fat meals that anyone would love! Bravo!

I love cookbooks that speak to the reader as this one did. It was a virtual tour of the author's kitchen

This is an excellent culinary memoir; the recipes are updated, defatted, and most importantly, delicious! 300 recipes in all--regional, family favorites--a new twist on early American soul.

I cook often, for big dinners and small ones, and I'm always on the lookout for new tastes and flavors. That's exactly why I loved this book so much! I mean, Soul Food that was light, elegant and tasted like fine French cooking--and was easy to prepare besides? I've devoured Down Home Wholesome, cooking at least half of the recipes within it--scrumptious! Plus, I really loved the warm way the author has with talking about her family, her reminiscences of her experiences with these foods, and her filling in the blanks on how the slave diet contributed to the length and breadth of the American palate. TRY THIS BOOK - YOU WON'T REGRET IT

Hannah is a slave from the Stafford plantation sent to Charleston, South Carolina with Elizabeth to learn dress making skills while she is at boarding school. It gets her away the boredom of plantation life, adds to her value as a slave, and also allows her to help other runaway slaves along the Underground Railroad. She enjoys her work very much and has met a young man, a free man of color named Joshua and the two are close friends, possibly more; but Hannah has sworn to never fall in love or marry until she has better control of her future. She wants to make her own choices, not have them decided for her and she doesn't want to always have to worry about the fact that her children can and would be taken for her and sold to someone else.

While in Charleston, her employer tells her that due to the war, she can no longer afford to keep Hannah and that she is being sent back to Virginia. This upsets Hannah greatly and she tells Elizabeth, who decides to come back with her, if only to help Hannah avoid her father's wrath; the man is a tyrant at home and any slave caught in it could be punished by a whipping or death. Hannah does a good job of avoiding him and continues to work on the Underground Railroad, using it herself one night to escape with Joshua and a group of slaves when he was passing by.

They make it to freedom but Hannah soon comes back down south to get a young slave girl they had met on the run and discovers that Elizabeth has been locked into her bedroom for disobeying her father and trying to buy Hannah back when he sold Hannah and Joshua to the auction block. Elizabeth's brother tried to help her and was thrown out for his actions, leaving for their cousin Lucy's home in Washington City. Their father has told everyone that Elizabeth has lost her mind and that's why she's locked up. Hannah breaks Elizabeth out and the group of three takes off up north. While on the run Hannah and Elizabeth talk and while asking if Hannah knows who her father is, Elizabeth reveals that she's overheard other women talking about the fact that Hannah looks a lot like her.

I love this series, I'm so happy I found the third book in it, wish I could find the fourth.

Hannah is a slave girl on the Stafford plantation in Virginia. She risks her life to help other slaves escape, and one dark night, Hannah herself takes a daring run for freedom. But she's caught, and now she can lose everything - her life, her freedom, and the love of her life.

it seems cheryl zach has done it again. this book tells about heartbreak and compassion. during the civil war, hannah, who was trying to escape, is caught by her slave master. through courage and love, hannah and elizabeth stafford manage to escape slavery's clutches.

This book mixed action, adventure, and romance all in one. I really enjoyed this book because it protrayed a young Afican-American girl as having courage and an education do to the time period it set in. I commend the author for writing a novel with the combination and suspense every book should have. I look forward to reading the others in the series.

Overall this book is quite good, I think it is geared more toward people living in Florida than people like me who are planning a trip. I wish it had more travel info and maps. I also wish it had more pictures than it does, so you could see the places it talks about which would help out a lot.

As a person who has spent a good deal of time in many of the places listed in "Exploring Wild South Florida: A Guide to Finding the Natural Areas and Wildlife of the Southern Peninsula and the Florida Keys" I can say that it is a thorough, accurate, and informative guide to the South Florida area. This book is specifically made for the person who likes to explore areas that are still predominantly in their natural condition. If you are looking for a landscaped park to hike through then you will be disappointed. If you are looking for places where you are likely to see endangered species, the only air conditioning may be a breeze, and you may see very few people (if anyone) during your hike then this is the book you are looking for.

Some places are truly remote and you may be on your own finding your way around (like the Florida Everglades) and some are less remote and may even have boardwalks through the forest to make your trip easier. The book starts with an extensive overview of everything you need to know about southern Florida - weather, what to wear, animals and plants to be cautious of, information on the various park systems, and anything else that you might have a question about when planning a trip.

One of the nicer features of the book is a section on the various habitats that you are likely to encounter in south Florida. The author does an excellent job of explaining estuaries, coral reefs, cypress stands, mangroves, marshes, hammocks and other habitats. She covers what qualifies them as a specific habitat, what you should look for and expect in each of them and general educational information on each of them.

She then covers special wildlife and unwanted pests before moving into the Federal Lands part of the book that actually starts the information on each site. When she gets to the specific sites she provides all the information that you will need to plan a trip there. She covers the local habitats you might find, wildlife, facilities, and complete contact information (worth the price of the book by itself).

A highly recommended read for those who think camping equipment should not involve the word Winnebego.

My title sums the book up rather well. If you are going to South Florida with viewing nature and wildlife as one of your goals, you'll find the book extremely useful. If seeing the show at the Alligator Farm and the Seaquarium fills your need for nature, you probably won't need the book. Assuming you do use the book, you will appreciate the amount of detail it includes, though you'll probably wish for better maps and more illustrations! Despite this, highly recommended if you really want a book of this type.

We used this excellent book before and during our birdwatching trip to South Florida this spring. It was a useful complement to Bill Prantys 'A Birder's Guide to Florida'. In comparison to the latter book, you get more general information about the wildlife at different locationts and especially about facilities (e.g. bathrooms, food) at different wildlife refuges and parts of the Everglades National Park. In addition, there is a good introduction about different biotopes and 'special' animals and a stirring depiction of the passage of hurricane 'Andrew' over South Florida.