Southern Books

I'm glad to see this book, and others by Yount, are stillavailable through Amazon. It's so hard to find them in thestores. This is a great book. Few writers have the ability to so fully develop characters.

Considering all the ordinary books that reach such a wide audience, I don't understand how this could receive so little notice. John Yount has created a small masterpiece. At the outset Madeline Talley is returning to her parents' farm in North Carolina with her 13-year-old son, having left her inconsiderate, drinking and womanizing husband. "Home" is not comfortable. Her parents don't understand what is wrong with Madeline's marriage and her son misses his father. This is 1948, when women are expected to stand by their men. The point-of-view shifts among all three family members and although Madeline is the most sympathetic, the Talley males are equally believable and multi-dimensional. Ultimately a crisis brings them together and makes them reconsider their lives as a family. This slim volume is a page-turner, a character study and a period piece, all in one. It ends too soon and sticks in your mind.

John Yount is one of our truly underappreciated writers. He's able here to inhabit each of the three characters: Edward Tally, the estranged father and husband; Madeline, his wife and James, their young son who watches the bonds of the family fray to the point it seems they can never be repaired. Each one of these people is real, flawed, human and redeemable.

I bought this book when I was in Hollywood. I love it. Very interesting facts and helpful maps. Pretty much accurate. I reccomend this book to anyone who is a "death hag".

If you're headed to Hollywood and don't believe in corporate pre-determined tourist traps grab this book! Lots of cool places to visit that aren't owned/run by Universal, right down to the spot where Baretta made his last hit! Maybe you'll even see Huggy Bear. [...] Cool stuff.

This is a great guide for anyone who is interested in the scandals, murders, suicides and hauntings of the Los Angeles area. The information is detailed and accurate, and there are several maps which are good enough that even someone who is not familiar with the area can navigate easily. The book also contains maps to celebrity graves in many area cemetaries. This book is excellent for those who may be visiting LA and want to see some unusual sites; it is also interesting for people who have always lived in LA. Maybe you live next door to the house where Clara Bow "entertained" the entire USC football team and don't even know it! If you're not into the morbid stuff, the book also contains the locations of many sites used in TV and movies. I should also mention that I have found that this latest edition is only readily available from Amazon or directly from the author, so don't go looking for it in your local bookstore.

Dr. Blaustein's book is destined to become a standard reference for teachers and students of History, English, American and Ethnic Studies. The author simplifies the complex connections between Appalachian and Scotish traditions. He concludes that despite the pressures from dominant cultures, traditions are as tough as thistles and briers to destroy. Dr. Blaustein applies folklore and oral history techniques to prove that cultural revitalization movements have helped empower people who are oppressed by outside colonial forces. This book is a strong reminder of the power of poetry and music to reinforce and regenerate ethnic identity.

This comparison between the marginalized peoples of Scotland and Appalachia deserves a wider reading than it's likely going to receive. Its theme transcends the treatment of these two groups by "mainstream cultures" and shows how marginalized people in general use their creative skills to rise above discrimination and shame. Blaustein is both a part of the Appalachian culture, having lived in East Tennessee since 1970, and yet removed from it as well, having grown up in Brooklyn. His years in Brooklyn helped him understand the Appalachian mindset, because, as he writes, "the Borough of Brooklyn is to the City of New York what Appalachia is to the United States--marginal, subordinate, and popularly portrayed as uncouth." This book describes the rise of the Appalachian studies movement in the region's colleges and universities and chronicles the growth of Scottish heritage celebrations in the United States, through excerpts from a personal interview with Waynesville, North Carolina, ballad singer and activisit Flora MacDonald Gammon, a driving force behind the annual Highland Games, held on Grandfather Mountain in Western North Carolina. A particularly powerful chapter recounts instances of "colonialism" among public school teachers who derided pupils for usages such as "hit" instead of "it." Blaustein strongly reinforces the notion that dialect is unrelated to intelligence. With the deplorable proposal by CBS to create a hillbilly reality series, this book is especially timely for those who seek to understand, rather than mock, the Appalachian mountain people and their rich and complex culture.

Richard Blaustein's book is fascinating comparative study of Appalachian and Scottish culture. The approach provides ways to ascertain salient features in the areas' contemporary culture that are derived from different, yet similar, historical backgrounds. Blaustein uses this analysis to demonstrate ways that folklore and literary arts contribute to the revitalization of culture and community life. Blaustein extends this argument to show that this type of revitalization is a creative resource for ameliorating psychological stresses and for unifying people politically to resist hegemonic forces in the wider society. Blaustein's critique of critical theory and deconstruction of deconstructionism are especially important contributions. This book is an important addition to post-postmodernist discourse, and it also serves as a great introduction to terrific writers from Appalachia and Scotland.

Reading Kathy's story will bring out every emotion that a human being can feel: love and hate; despair and hope; fear and courage. Not only does she open her heart to her readers, but she leads them through the "why me". Kathy's story is told in a form of writing that lets readers' know it comes straight from the inner most depth of her soul. Any person in an abusive relaionship should read this book to understand why they must seek help now.

The most powerful, truthful, and heart-wrenching story I have ever read on Domestic Violence, or for that matter, even seen in real life cases of abuse! This women went through hell! However, as you will see when you read this book, the author, Kathy Williams, teaches all of us what "Survival" is all about. Most of us would not have been able to endure such things as Ms. Williams did, and still live to talk about it!

This is a book that all organization, shelters, and groups should read, and possibly have Ms. Williams speak about her experience. She is truly an inspirational to all!

This book is very graphical, so be forewarned. However, a very good book for everyone.

This is a riveting account of one woman's battle with an abusive spouse, and what she had to do to make her life right again. If you want to read something that will make you laugh, cry, and challenge you on the most visceral level imaginable, you need to read this book.

While at times the book is difficult to read it illustrates an important point you cannot just draw a line in the dirt and expect everyone on one side to be loyal to this country or that country. There were people in the south that supported the Union a lot of people and the same holds true for Confederate sympathizers in the north. The Civil War is not and never was a crusader like story of armies of light from the north and soldiers of darkness from the south it is the story of incredibly human people who had to make an incredibly difficult choice. Also as the narrative will show America during the time of the Civil War was not nearly as romantic as everyone wishes it was.

The tragic part about the course of history and the passage of time is that none of those people thought to write an account as Captian Dennis E. Haynes did.

Overall-I would like to thank the captain for his account and Arthur W. Bergeron Jr. for preserving it for future generations.

It is well known that during the Revolutionary War there was a substantial portion of the population that remained loyal to England. Even though I was born and grew up in Louisiana I did not know that there were 'Unionists' in the area that remained loyal to the United States.

Captain Dennis E. Haynes was one such individual. Born in Ireland in 1819, he came to the US sometime in the early 1830's. This makes him a 45 year old man by the time the enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1864. By the standards of the time, he was an old man. By the standards of an Army he was an old man.

Besides the shock of seeing the names of towns near where I grew up (and where I thought nothing had ever happened), I was surprised to see how much and how far Capt. Haynes traveled. He was always on the move, going hundreds of miles to New Orleans or Texas. In one case, trying to get to Port Hudson (near Baton Rouge) he walked in a little over a day and a night 52 miles having had only one small meal.

This book is reprinted from the original which was published in 1866 and of which only two copies are known to exist. As such it is written in the style of the time and reads a bit differently than a current book. Still, it is one of the very few personal memoirs from a southern Unionist, and the only one known from Louisiana. To the Civil War reader, this is a book on a little known aspect of the war.

A Thrilling Narrative: The Memoir Of A Southern Unionist is the memoir of Captain Dennis E. Haynes, and a rarity indeed - the true tale of a Southern unionist. Few Southern Unionists wrote of their experiences after the American Civil War, and A Thrilling Narrative is the only publication of Louisiana Unionist, and the only account of the First Louisiana Battalion Cavalry Scouts, a unit that existed for less than three months and only saw action during the Red River Campaign of 1864. In A Thrilling Narrative, Haynes speaks of how he opposed the secession of Texas and became a hunted man for it, his terrible journey to reach Union troops in Louisiana, and the cruelty that he and other Union sympathizers suffered at the hands of the Confederates. Notes and an index round out this powerful glimpse at the harrowing difficulties of taking a stand that is unpopular to one's neighbors.

Meryl Truett's photographs of the southern landscape show a keen sensitivity. They are romantic, ironic, critical, witty, and technically dazzling. With an eye for type, flags, Indians, animals, and symbols, Meryl paints a picture of the vanishing south with a fond farewell. Her use of the Holga and dedication to fine printmaking show her talent as a photographer and print-maker. This is her first book and will certainly become a collector's item.

I stumbled upon Ms. Truett's work and instantly loved it. The photographs are beautiful, the subjects fascinating yet treated with a gentle and down to earth sensibility, perhaps even a bit of humor. If you have ever taken a road trip through the South, you'll recognize the truisms in these photographs. Highly recommended.

The photography within this book captures images that are eccentric and intrinsically Southern, images that are disappearing with modern development. There is beauty, absurdity, and wonder in these photos. It's a way of life that may one day be forgotten, and Meryl Truett has taken on the admiral task of preserving it.

This guide is not only helpful, it's absolutely hilarious. The writing is of a much higher level than you'd expect in a standard guide. It's smart, it's brutally honest (when they don't like something, they let you KNOW), and it doesn't pull any punches. New Orleans is a strange and wonderful place, and all guidebooks to it should be this good. But since they aren't, buy this one.

I have been an eternal fan and grateful reader of the Time Out series for years. From their books to their magazines (NYC, Amsterdam & London), they have made my visits quite enjoyable. In Time Out New Orleans they have offerred invaluable choices from food to music to where to get a good cup of "joe." I can't emphasize enough how much one would benefit to heed their suggestions. I just returned from NO in early Dec '98, lucky me that the book came out in time.

Travel guides are always a hit or miss affair: who can tell whether the editors came to town with the same mentality as you? Too many are geared for the lowest form of tourist: the pathetic sheep following the herd. Not so with this guide to New Orleans, which has been our touchstone on four separate trips to the Big Easy.

Thorough, up-to-date, and above all HONEST. Strongly recommended for anyone visiting for the first time, and especially for anyone returning for a more "refined" visit to the city.l

I first found this book in the lounge of a game lodge in South Africa, and had quite a time tracking down a copy. To classify this as a children's book, as the bookstore I found it in has, is clearly robbing many adults of the incredible experience of its pages. My three kids all love it, but why should they have all the fun?? The photography is absolutely amazing, just as Tippi's childhood must certainly have been. No one harbouring a love of Africa, it's wildlife, the innocence of childhood or good photography should miss this.

In town today when buying Easter books for the kids I found Tippi in Africa for my 7 years old. I have been to Africa several times, and now wants to bring my family, but they always say no, they don't want to go to Africa where there are dangerous animals, where there is poverty and the water is not clean. So I found this book the perfect present for my daughter.

We read the book right away when we came home, and what a treasure. The book tells about Tippi's childhood. The daughter of French nature photographers she spends most of her childhood in Africa. And growing up against the wild animals she and her surrondings soon discover that she has a very special ability to speak with the animals.

The book is filled with amazing photographs, and anecdotes from Tippi's childhood. Who can resist starting to dream about Africa after reading this book.

Thanks Tippi for sharing your life with us.

Britt Arnhild Lindland

Excellent. I've got the book today from amazon Germany. Now I want to read Tippi's very unique way to express herself in English.120 extrem beautiful photographs,done by her parents Sylvie and Alain Degre, give us an insight of her unusual childhood, grewing up in Africa. A nice gift for children and adults who want to see the world in it's beauty through children's eyes. Tippi lives now in Paris. I hope, she can save her experiences for life she obtained in Africa, for her future.

Larry's book is very detailed--complete. I always wondered what that lonsome bridge pier was on the south side of US 90, the Massachusetts Turnpike, on the eest side of the valley east of Palmer, MA. Now I know, and I am chomping at the bit to go look at the construction that was done in Southbridge, and to find pieces of the roadbed around Webster and in Woonsocket.

Also, Larry will be speaking at the October 30, 2002 meeting of the
Norfolk County Railroad Club
in Norwood at the
Morrill Library
Oct. 30, 2002 at 7:00 PM.
Note the EARLY time, 7:00, because the library closes
at 9:00.

While I normally am not the biggest fan of "railroadianna," this book was reccommended to me by a friend and I ended up loving it! It was much more than a typical local history book and in fact delved into human relationships and emotions usually remiss in historical nonfiction. Larry Lowenthal perfectly captures the anguish of watching an enterprise develop with all hopes of wealth and success only to witness it's eventual demise as it's proprietor sinks on the ill-fated Titanic. His lyrical writing style as he describes the sinking of the Titanic is pure poetry. I have since read his subsequent book, a biography of Marinus Willet, a revolutionary war general, and was even more impressed. The final page of that book brought tears to my eyes. Bravo to Mr. Lowenthal for humanising history.

While I normally am not the biggest fan of "railroadianna," this book was reccommended to me by a friend and I ended up loving it! It was much more than a typical local history book and in fact delved into human relationships and emotions usually remiss in historical nonfiction. Larry Lowenthal perfectly captures the anguish of watching an enterprise develop with all hopes of wealth and success only to witness it's eventual demise as it's proprietor sinks on the ill-fated Titanic. His lyrical writing style as he describes the sinking of the Titanic is pure poetry. I have since read his subsequent book, a biography of Marinus Willet, a revolutionary war general, and was even more impressed. The final page of that book brought tears to my eyes. Bravo to Mr. Lowenthal for humanising history.

Brown & Kirkman have synthesized a wonderful, comprehensive guide to Georgia trees. Many species distributions overlap with other states, however, so this guide is useful for most of the Southeast. In addition to species descriptions, they include valuable habitat and economic information. Perhaps the most unique feature is the "Recognition difficulties with other taxa" section that is included with every species description. Now even beginning botanists can distinguish Post Oak from Sand Post Oak with ease.

This book by Brown & Kirkman is the best resource I have seen for those interested in tree identification anywhere in the Southeast. It includes excellent descriptions of over 200 native trees, as well as hundreds of color photographs. There are also charts for identifying every family, genus, and species in the summer and winter. Also included is a list of many non-native species which could be confused with our native trees. Because most other books about dendrology in the Southeast are so outdated, this is definitely the best resource available for any botanist, forester, or anyone else who would like a greater appreciation of our most fascinating natural resource.

for the novice or experienced gardener. Good pictures help to identify trees native to the Southeast U.S. Excellent descriptions of trees with useful information for cultivation.

I'm glad to see this book finally available in paperback.