North Carolina Books

This book is remarkable. It is very apparent that Mr. Morrison did his research well. A must read for any history buff.

It is apparent that Mr. Morrison spent many long hours slaving over this book. It is well written, interesting, and a must have for civil war buffs. I only wish Mr. Morrison would write more books. It's heartwarming to see that Mr. Morrison credits his parents Al & Joan Morrison, and his siblings - Chris, Nancy, Jim, and Tony with the fortitude, intellegence and support to get this book completed. Keep up the good work, Mr. Morrison. I want to read more of your books in the future!

An incredibly well researched, well written account of the causes of the American Civil War! It's actually worth the high price!!!

In his introduction the author tells us "this book examines the relationship between the territorial issue in the origins of the American Civil War. This story is familiar; this telling has not.... The debate between Democrats and Whigs over Texas in 1844 were based on economics and divided the parties along national lines. By 1860, the struggle over westward expansion and settlement issued in sectional arguments and a fragmented political system. This transformation is the story here and told.[p. 4]"

The expansionists quickly realized that the problem with moving the boundaries of this country westward was going to be slavery. And not so much slavery itself, but demagoguery, used by radicals on both sides to inadvertantly hinder the progress of the westward movement. The author quotes the extreme expansionist Thomas B. Stevenson, "it is not, I fear, either the actual status of the actual settlement of the slavery question that the antagonistic agitators really wish to effect. It is the use they can make of it as it exists."[p.1] The acquisition of Texas and the subsequent territory obtained through the Mexican War became the hobbyhorse of the extremists during the 1840s. The 1850s opened a decade of extreme agitation on both sides of the question of opening territory or closing it forever to the peculiarinstitution. "Republicans [the North] used slavery to define broadly remaining and limits of freedom not only within the North's free labor economy but, more important, within the nation's republican political state."[p. 167] In the South the European class system was extolled by some of the most radical proslavery elements. A major portion of the expansionist program was the example to be set by a union of the nation reaching from sea to sea. It is because the South felt so strongly toward the Union that states rights activists were compelled to remind their southern cohorts, "the Federal Union is not a god -- it is a human institution. So long as it answers the hands of its creation, it should be and will be carefully preserved. When it fails those ends, it should be discarded."[p. 184]

In 1856 James Buchanan, the second worst president this country has endured, entered the fray. Stephen A. Douglas, the famous Chicago politician of the Lincoln Douglas debates, decried the sectionalism of the Republicans. He maintained that the founding fathers, recognizing the diversity of economics and social institutions of the several states, and established a union of the fundamental right that every state could do as he pleased without his neighbors interfering. The Compromise of 1850, the Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act all reaffirmed the right of the state to settle its own local problems and decide what is best for its free existence. The Democratic Party attempted as far as possible to allow this operation. And Douglas, one of the major proponents of expansionism, defeated his own goal by not recognizing the importance of the slavery issue to the westward movement. Most people wanted a union as extended as possible, but half of them, not especially for humanitarian purposes but rather economic conditions, were dead set against the expansion of slavery into these areas, these new territories to be carved for the Empire.

The author goes on to state, "because secession had transformed the sectional conflict over the territories into an ominous controversy over the preservation of the Union, Republicans refuse to sustain the latter by conceding their principles on the former. It is a view that, the issue of 1860 -- 61 was 'not union or disunion; but new guarantees to slavery or disunion.'"[p. 274] this comment pretty much sums up what the author has said In the whole book. His promise in the introduction to connect expansionism and slavery can probably be written off as poetic enthusiasm. He writes a very good book combining the two subjects but offers nothing really new. Readers who are already acquainted with this period in our history won't find anything very new. Someone new to the field will find an excellent introduction to the general subject of slavery and its effect on the westward movement. It fails to separate the political, economic, social aspects of this time in American history.

I give this book 4 stars because it is well-written, well researched, and the author faces the same problem that we all do in writing on a time has been so well covered by so many for so long. The fifth star is withheld at the fault of the publisher. The format of the book and the text make it very difficult to read this book without strain I hope when a reissue the book is our hope that they will continuously something will be done to correct this fault.

I was lucky enough to take a course from Dr. Neely (Modern American Indians) at Northern Kentucky University and this was a required textbook. Her class was one of the most interesting I have taken as an anthropology major. Her detailed ethnograpy on the Snowbird Cherokees is a must for anyone interested in Cherokee Indians or Indians of the Southeastern United States. She spent several years living with the Snowbirds prior and after writing the book if I remember correctly. You really get a feel how life is like for the Snowbirds. I definately recommend this book!

This is more than a book about a remarkable community of people. It is an inspiring guideline for how to live.

My family has roots in the Snowbird community; Both of my grandparents on my father's side lived in the Snowbird area, as do many of my cousins to this day. My two aunts moved to the main Qualla rez, and my father left Snowbird for the Navy, and then college in 1956, and never moved back. Even so, there is no place on earth where I feel more at home than the Snowbird mountains.
I preface the review with these statements because when I read this book, I felt like I was "back home." Dr. Neely obviously cares a great deal about this community. Perhaps it makes her ethnology somewhat biased, but it certainly livens up this book! Her descriptions of the annual gospel singing event at Snowbird were on the mark, and her description of the constant factionalism among the Eastern Cherokee band is also (sadly) accurate.
The most useful thing about this book for someone who knows nothing else about the Cherokee is that it explains how the "harmony ethic" is still a part of the way Cherokees live, and how it has subtly changed the Cherokee way of practicing Christianity, and how we deal with modern political and economic life. It shows that it is possible to be "traditional", in a sense, while being fully engaged with the modern world. It also shows that Indians are not the cardboard cutouts so often seen in the movies, or in "New Age" explorations of native spirituality.
If you read this, back it up with Finger's broader histories of the Eastern band, Mooney's classic exploration of Cherokee mythology, and, if you take them with a grain of salt, the Garretts' "Cherokee medicine" series. Then, take a trip to Graham County, preferably around Memorial Day weekend when you can be a part of Snowbird's annual "Fading Voices" festival at Little Snowbird Church, stopping in Robbinsville to visit the Junaluska Burial Place. You'll be welcomed, but if you can't make it Snowbird, this book is the next best thing.

By the time chapter one is finished, the reader has the comforting sense that they have somehow become part of the Snowbird community. Chapter two, one of my personal favorites, defines a "real Indian." You just might be surprised at the definition Sharlotte uncovered and the source of some of the discrimination felt by the Snowbird population. If for no other reason, this book should be read for this chapter. Far too often, we are satisfied to settle for loose definitions penned by someone without the slightest notion of understanding and the result is invariably and simply wrong. Sharlotte, though, has listened carefully to the voices of these fascinating people; she has let them define their existence within the parameters of their own culture. There is no finer type of understanding than the one which is born within the confines of the specific culture and this book humbly delivers a powerful punch of humanistic reality. Simply put, this work is an import! ant contribution to the very essence of cultural relativism and should not be missed.

I've been looking for this book for a couple of years. Borrowed one from a friend and been wanting one since then. Accurately depicts the lives of Western North Carolina's mountain people as told through the eyes of one. Visited the actual area and impressed by their way of life.

I first became aware of Dellie Norton because of the movie "Songcatcher" (available on Amazon). A friend suggested I see it. I really liked the music, and something seemed really familiar about it. Then, I heard my aunt talking about it being based on real life people and I start doing some research.

Back in the early part of the 20th century, an English music researcher and lecturer named Cecil Sharp traveled to the U.S. to track down old songs. He got more songs in Madison county than any other place in the country. Songcatcher is loosely based on those events. It was while I was researching that I happened across some articles about Rob Amberg, and I went looking for his book.

When I first ran across the Sodom Laurel Album, I ended up buying copies for all my close family members and friends. Like the other 2 reviewers, Debra and David, I am related to most of the people in the book and on the CD. In fact, my own father, Warren, was born right down the road from Dellie's house.

After reading their words and studying the pictures, I have an even greater respect for my kin than before, and I can't help but feel that we've really lost something important from our lives. Not just my family, but our entire nation.

If you want a really good look at the way life was for most of the nation less than a hundred years ago, the stark images of Rob Amberg have really captured it.

For even more detail about mountain life, you may want to read a couple of books by Sheila Kay Adams (she is in Sodom Laurel Album): Come Go With Me and My Old True Love. They are based on life in and around Sodom (Revere) and are available from Amazon.

Sheila also carries on Dellie's legacy; she is a traditional ballad singer (she was taught by Dellie Norton) and sells CDs on her web site, and performs in festivals around the country. Details on the web since Amazon doesn't seem to carry her CDs.

I received this book as a Christmas gift and have loved every page. The stories and the photographs are great. I believe that anyone who is fascinated with mountain living as I am will love this book.

I'm David Norton Junior is my uncle. This is a great book if your intrested in the way we live in the mountains you should get this book full of great photos of my uncle and aunt Dellie and one great picture of my grandpa Willard.

As an upper elementary teacher, I am constantly looking for books that will encourage my students to make a transition from "picture books" to "chapter books" and that will nurture a desire to read. Spencer Hurley and the Aliens provides both of these.
Terry Locke doesn't just entertain with his words, but draws the reader in with his comical illustrations. I read this story aloud to my third graders and they were crowding in to see if there was an illustration as they were introduced to each new character.
With characters that we befriended in our imaginations, we are anxious to find out what happens to them in Book Two of this series. As a teacher, I can rest assured that I have found a book for boys and girls to read for the best reason of all- for enjoyment!

Spencer Hurley and The Aliens Book One "The Abduction" is such a great story. This book is one of a few books that I have encountered that I could not sit down. This book grasped my attention from the first chapter to the very last. The book causes you to think about the story and opens up your imagination to the fullest. Like the good old days of having a story that keeps your imagination going without a pause!! My daughter that is 9, also enjoyed this book, and we are looking forward to the next Adventure...

As an adult, I never stopped being an avid childrens-book reader (e.g. Harry Potter et al) and have found yet another series to keep me entertained and hooked, awaiting for the next adventure. Book One in the Spencer Hurley series is just the beginning of what I expect to be a continuous and exciting journey, with lovable kids, adults, and aliens, and of course, the not-so-lovable.
Book One captures its readers early on, inviting us into the lives of its three main characters. As we embrace these youngsters and cheer them on, the author takes his readers on unexpected twists and turns, unsure where we, and Spencer, will end up next. The author's vivid and colorful imagination, as well as the use of illustrations, enriches his storytelling. A must-read for any kid at heart.

Prepare to be beamed aboard an alien vessel that's full of strange creatures and goopy cuisine. From the first page to the last, Spencer Hurley and the Aliens is a fun and exciting tale that I couldn't put down. Spencer may be the lead character but, his bumbling friend, Ryan definitely steals the spotlight. With this being Book 1 of a series, I can't wait to see what mess they get into next.

I love it! I used my Mom's and now have my own copy to share with my 2 little girls as we bake up a storm! This cookbook is very eary to follow with simple, yet tasty recipes. Thank you, Karen Barker, for sharing such wonderful recipes and your personal touch to each of them!

I've been a cookbook fan and user of Karen and her husband having enjoyed cooking from their cookbook, but now to have one devoted to Karen's outstanding talents and love for desserts is neat.

She has a philosophy here that should comfort and inspire: to get us back cooking our own desserts using great recipes. That's how she and previous generations learned, at the side of someone who had a great recipe. Her styling of this collection of desserts is with the home chef in mind. So, ingredients, techniques and equipment are with us in mind, and she tells us her preferences and what she used to make these. Also, she provides info as one proceeds with the recipe on what to expect, adjust, etc.

Most of the recipes are not complex, nor simple, but all delicious and most very unique and creative. But none of them are of that category of being "over the top" that would scare most of us home dessert makers to ignore trying them, except in those unique times when we would torture ourselves and our patience to take days to make a special one. None of that here! Just great desserts!

I've tried several of the following with great results and look forward to more of the same: Lime Meringue Tart; Blackberry Slump with Sweet Potato Dumplings; Bourbon Creme Caramel with Bruleed Bananas; Summer Cherry Berry Pudding; Dark Chocolate Peppermint Pattie Cake; Banana Upside Down Cakes; Pumpkin Cognac Cheesecake Brulee; Ruby Port Ice Cream; Purple Plum Rum Sorbet; Cornmeal Vanilla Bean Shortbreads; Raised Cocoa Waffles a la Mode.

There is much useful sections as well: Baker's Bookshelf; Sources; Equivalent Pan Sizes (this I find extremely useful);

All in all a most delightful and substantial dessert guide for just us home bakers. And great color photos of so many!

Award-winning pastry chef Barker admonishes the reader (gently) not to skip the opening primer on techniques, tools and ingredients, and, along with the usual baking do's and don'ts, you will find useful information on the equipment and ingredients used in these American dessert recipes.

Her Basics chapter offers various pastry doughs as well as dessert sauces of all kinds, from classic chocolate to Concord Grape Syrup and Marshmallow Fluff.

All the classics are here, many with a twist (Apple Rhubarb Cardamom Crumb Pie, Goat Cheese Cheesecake in a Hazelnut Crust) and Barker offers homey tips as well as variations and serving suggestions. Notes throughout explain how to choose or handle specific ingredients, and recipes are very clearly organized and written.

Not just for bakers, there are ice creams; custards and puddings; pancakes, waffles and fritters; and numerous fruit desserts, baked and not.

With gorgeous photographs, lots of variety and clear, thorough instructions for success, this is a well-rounded book for beginners as well as experienced cooks.

`sweet stuff' is subtitled `Karen Barker's American Desserts', that is, probably coincidentally, almost exactly the title of Wayne Harley Brachman's new book published a few months ago. In summary, both books are great treatments of American desserts, covering very much the same territory. Brachman's book is funnier and it may explain some basic techniques a bit more thoroughly. Ms. Barker's book is a bit longer, covers some topics in somewhat greater depth. Karen's recipes are centered in Southern desserts while Wayne's center of gravity is somewhere between Brooklyn, New York and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I suggest you get both if you are a big dessert maker. Brachman covers doughnuts and does a better job on teaching piecrusts. Brachman's volume may be better for the novice. Barker's book has more recipes overall.

I recently reviewed Gale Gand's new book `short + sweet' on fast desserts and it is quite a good book for working with kids. Karen has definitely done desserts for grown-up tastes, in spite of the large number of peanut and peanut butter recipes. The presence of rum, bourbon, and Jack Daniels as ingredients is just one indication of how this book is aimed at adult tastes.

The reciped chapters in this book are named:

The Basics: A Baker's Building Blocks
A Pie Primer
Fruit Somethings
Custards & Puddings: Low and Slow is the Way to Go
Let Them Eat Cake
We All Scream for Ice Cream
The Joy of Cookies
Pancakes, Waffles, Fritters, and other Breakfast-Like Desserts

As cheesecake is actually a type of custard pie, you may be puzzled to find it discussed in the chapter on cakes. That aside, I found the Ms. Brown's recipe, techniques, and explanations for how and why a cheesecake can go wrong is quite the best I have seen. It agreed with and went far beyond Alton Brown's `Good Eats' cheesecake episode in achieving a primo cheesecake.

As with Brachman's book, the true subject of this volume is not as centered on historical American recipes as it is on recipes which are currently popular in the United States, whether they originated on these shores or are imports from England, France, or Italy. The book gives you a fair share of Crème Broulee, Panna Cotta, and Sabayon. It balances that with lots of true American classics like apple pie, `Sally Lunn' brioche like bread, Sumps, Crumbles, Cobblers, and Shortcakes.

The most distinctive strength of the book is it's very concentration on reusable techniques and preparations. It can very much be seen as an application of Ming Tsai's `Master Recipe' technique in the book `Simply Ming'. The approach starts in the chapter entitled `The Basics', but it permeates the book. The chapter `Fruit Somethings' in particular has several techniques for compotes, shortcakes, and syrups that may be used together with ice creams, cakes, and other pastries.

Please be careful to note that this book is not a general book on baking and does not cover a lot of baking topics. Conversely, it includes ice creams, sherbets, sorbets, and granitas, which may be a classic province of the pastry chef, but it is not baking. The book contains a great little bibliography with references to important modern works on baking.

My only disappointment was that the author chose to present only `New York' style ice cream, which is a frozen custard. A truer `American' dessert may be the `Philadelphia' style, which includes cream, but no eggs.

Highly recommended if you need only one book on desserts. Not easy, but the results are more than worth the effort.

Collins not only does a superior job of telling the tales, but also characterizing the people who lived them. At Wake Forest it is not so much the story as the people. The university is one built upon relationships. This is a book for any generation of Wake Forest or ACC fan because one can open it and connect to the players and coaches with whom they are familiar. Collins offers an accurate and unbiased account. He has witnessed many of the events he described in this book first-hand as a veteran journalist and Wake Forest beat reporter for the Winston-Salem Journal, Wake Forest's hometown newspaper. Open to any page and enjoy!

It's been almost a century since basketball started at Wake Forest (1906). And from that beginning, not long after basketball was invented, there has been time to develop a lot of history. A history of events, certainly, but especially a history of people: the team, the players, the coaches.

Dan Collins has covered Wake Forest for the Winston-Salem Journal since 1978. He's collected a century worth of stories into this small book. It's clearly aimed at the Wake Forest fan. This is not basketball in general, this is Wake Forest basketball. Well maybe a little bit about North Carolina basketball, but not much.

Beyond that, the writing is excellent, it flows quickly and is absolutely filled with amusing anecdotes. If you're a fan....

This book is an excellent read, not just for Wake Forest fans, but for all sports fans. I recommend it highly!

Collins effectively presents interesting and informative anecdotes on Wake Basketball, its players and coaches. A pleasant read for any Deacon fan.

I want to thank Hans L Tredousse for a remarkable job on the unfolding of the character of one of the most complex individuals I have ever studied. Trefousse does a great job of showing us as much of what is humanly possible to know about Thaddeus Stevens.

By far, Stevens comes alive in the preface of Trefousse'account. The reader is pulled gently into the life of this individal because of the hardships he experienced as a child and because of his determination to see justice prevailed.

As I progressed into the book, I marvelled at both the strengths and weaknesses of this complex man called Thaddeus Stevens. Personally, I think he was a man before his times. It is unfortunate that he considered himself a failure. We have had many presidents in recent years who could not or would not acknowledge that they had achieved anything of "real tangible worth". Stevens comes to the end of life feeling that he had achieved very little of lasting value. It is truly worth lamenting! If Stevens could come back to this century, I think he would be astonished to see what legacy he left the United States and particular minorities who have benefitted much from his efforts to support emancipation and a true Reconstruction for those who had suffered because of slavery.

I was first introduced to Thaddeus Stevens in Lerone Bennett's BEFORE THE MAYFLOWER. I found Stevens to be the underdog, but an all powerful hero for the rights of equality. I think the second best thing to having enjoyed Trefousse' outling the work of Stevens would be to see the book made into historical fiction. Somewhere out there in "fantasy land" is an actor who could bring more to "life" this complex man called Thaddeus Stevens

Hans Trefousse has done a magnificent job in portraying the "Great Commoner" and his effect on the United States. In fact, the book inspired myself and some other people in Gettysburg to start the Thaddeus Stevens Society to promote his memory. For information about the society, write The Thaddeus Stevens Society, 65 W. Middle Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325 or email me at rhetrick@gettysburg.edu.

Hans L. Trefousse wrote a definitive biography on this great Republican that helped initiated the Reconstruction period after the post-Civil War period. The sub-titled: 19th Century Egalitarian proves to be an aptly named since Stevens proves to be one of the foremost egalitarians of his century. The book clears up the myths and misconceptions that Stevens were often regarded in and set the records straight. Well written, nicely researched and with superbly insights, I can only wished that the book went even deeper into Stevens' life.

The book also goes into Stevens' strengths, weaknesses and his troubles. I thought it was a honest effort on the part of the author to showed the reader the complete man and the account of Stevens' life proves to be balance and fair.

One of the more interesting aspects of this book lies within the struggled between Stevens and Andrew Johnson. The fight between "reconstruction of the south" to the "restoration of the south". This struggle had far reaching consequences in our nation's politics as well as racial relationship. Although product of his time and era, Stevens proves to be far ahead of himself in terms of race relations. It was interesting to learned that his concerns lies not only with the blacks but also toward Indians and Orientals. The book reflects accurately in the end that Stevens was a true egalitarian in the truest form.

Thaddeus Stevens casts a long shadow in American History; a shadow that continues to bedevil the likes of Robert Bork, Anton Scalia and the so-called "original intent" crowd.

Stevens, the tactical leader of the "radical Republicans" through the Civil War and Reconstruction era stands probably second to only James Madison in Constitutional history.

Considering his historical role a thorough biography has been long overdue. Trefousse has gone a long way toward supplying a fresh biography of the man. In its pages he has applied the extensive depth of modern scholarship now available on the reconstruction era.

Only Fawne Brodie has attempted a biography in recent times and that book, Thaddeus Stevens: Scourge of the South has slid thankfully out of print.

The Trefousse biography will likely be the standard source on the life of "the old Commoner" for some decades to come.

I really enjoyed reading Johnson's book about the important yet often overlooked events in the Carolinas during the Civil War, specifically the following:

1. Fort Fisher - the largest sea fort in the war that protected the vital town of Wilmington NC and the blockade runners so important for supplying Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.
2. Charleston - where the whole shootin' match started.
3. Bentonville - the last large scale battle of the war.
4. Outer Banks - early Union victories here were vital to capturing many parts of Eastern North Carolina from which the Union could launch several offensives.
5. Sherman's March - the destruction of certain towns in both Carolinas (particularly South Carolina) further weakened the South's will to continue the struggle.

I also enjoyed reading about the locations of various gravesites of Confederate generals and their Civil War service.

Indeed, if not for this book, this native North Carolinian and long-time Civil War buff may never have learned of and visited the sites of some of the lesser-known sites other than those mentioned above.

Johnson's writing style is smooth without being overly simplistic and contains several anecdotes (some humorous ones too)of the interesting events which took place during the Civil War years.

Highly recommended!

Touring The Carolinas' Civil War Sites is an ideal and essential travel guide for Civil War buffs wishing to visit the numerous North Carolina and South Carolina Civil War memorial sites and battlefields. A life-long Civil War buff, Clint Johnson draws upon his considerable expertise to presents the meticulous results of exhaustive research in an articulate, "reader friendly" text that is augmented throughout with area photography. Touring The Carolinas' Civil War Sites is a highly recommended addition to personal and regional Civil War studies and reference book collections.

Simply put the book is well organized, well written and I have just about worn out my copy on my trips through the carolinas.

This book is invaluable to the Civil War enthusiast when touring the battlefields and sites of the Carolina's. The tours are filled with surprises that are off the beaten path and the directions are life savers. Without this book I'd have missed some priceless sidetrips. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone taking a Civil War tour of the Carolinas and look forward to more such books from Clint Johnson in the future.

Dr. Ben Wofford is truly great author. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat with this book. Everyone needs a copy of his book on their shelf.
Everyone should get the opportunity to meet Dr. Wofford. he is truly an amazing man. I have had the pleasure of working with him.

This is a wonderful book, It is a book you would read over and over again. I give it 5 stars
Everyone should own a copy of his books. Also everyone should have the opportunity to meet Dr. Ben Wofford, he is truly one of a kind. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to have worked with him.

If you like Mark Twain, you will love this book! Of course, I am a bit biased since I am Ben Wofford's son.

A World War II veteran, Ben Wofford grew up during the Great Depression. He served in the Navy and was able to earn his way through Medical School. He practiced medicine for forty years as a family practitioner. His avocations include farming, flying, and sailing. He sounds like my dad.

Set in 1933 in the rural outreaches of Catawba County, North Carolina, Wofford's Uncle Henry's Ghost is a whimsical narrative of country life through the eyes of a boy growing up on a farm. There's been a murder, or what looks like a murder. A school house has been burned down. Close by is an old roadhouse called "The Moon Palace," and some say it is haunted. Certainly there are stories about a cache of money being hidden in the old place:

"It was commonly believed that Sheriff Canter-. That was his name, Canter. It was commonly believed that Sheriff Canter was getting rich off the Moon Palace, paid by the owners to look the other way. That may or may not have been so, but when it came time to read his will, there wasn't much left for his widow and she had to take in boarders to make ends meet. Some people maintain that he got rich all right, but lost it all in the Stock Market."

Uncle Henry's Ghost is a tale that makes the reader feel like they are sitting on their grandfather's knee. Wofford's background as a general practitioner gives him a special compassion for what medicine represented back in the first half of the Nineteenth Century...when there was a standard system of ethics in all things. Growing up during those times meant that one understood what the rules were...and how everyone helped out their neighbor without the necessity of a lot of money changing hands. For us as readers it represents a simpler time...a time of family, church, and working hard.

Wofford spins a fairly lively yard, even as he shows us what life was like before the advent of computers, video games, and plastic food. We need more of these types of tales to show us the way during the present state of confusion in our world. Wofford gives us a nice, safe place to hide...a place where a boy can still take his dog out for a swim and stick frogs in his teacher's desk. An excellent tale from a man who was probably one heck of a doctor. Thanks.

Shelley Glodowsky
Reviewer

My GR GR Grandfather John Stewart was the brother of Frankie Stewart Silver.
I first read "The Ballad of Frankie Silver by Sharyn McCrumb and was disappointed that all of Frankie's brothers were not mentioned in her account of the family tree, but her book is more on the bent of a fictional novel.
My Father was born and mainly raised in Mitchell County, North Carolina
and he nor his Mother, who helped with some of my genealogy, mentioned Frankie's story to me. I found out about it on the internet.
I have been told by a family member that still lives in that area and is a Genealogist, that our family was ashamed of the fact and that it is still rumored to this day, that the Stewart Family was cursed because of this sad tradegy, as is mentioned in this book.
I do know Frankie, her parents, and most of her brothers, did die a somewhat unusual death. John was the oldest and was born March 09, 1800 and died Feb 22,1893. Ninety two years is a good life span even for today so I don't see the curse fitting there.
I was delighted that Mr Young had better research and has provided a lot of documentation in the book.
If you like a murder mystery (fact or fiction), history, genealogy, and more, you will enjoy this book.

The author covers the topic completely from all directions. His research is well documented and accurate. It quotes liberally from official documents and draws no undocumented conclusions. It is an excellent treatment of the evidence. It is, however, an extremely dry, tedious read.

As a direct descendant of Frankie Silver (She was my G-G-Grandmother) I have heard the story all my life, but learned many new facts about the case. I found a few dates to be incorrect, and many names omitted, but this does not detract from the essence of the story. A thoruoghly researched book that debunks many of the myths surrounding the hanging of Frankie Silver. Good reading for history buffs and a MUST for family members.

This book of true crime takes on the feat of straightening all the twists in the Frankie Silver story. The tale of poor Frankie and the eventful trial stands out from many because of the manner in which the body of Charles Silver was disposed and the age of the young girl condemned. Sorting truth from rumor or the numerous errors in print couldn't have been an easy task. I commend Mr. Young for his dedication and hard work to set things straight and perhaps bring some peace to the spirit of the ill fated Mrs. Silver. I believe that Henry Spainhour really did say it best when he wrote, "I consider it wrong to brand the dead with greater crimes than we believe they were guilty of." This is a very organized and well written book.

Chrissy K. McVay
Author of 'Souls of the North Wind'