North Carolina Books

During the 20th century, textiles because the number one industry in the Carolinas, with most of the mills being established along river banks for cheap power and close to the raw product supplies--cotton. To get workers, the mills built company owned housing. Cliffside is typical of hundreds of such communities. Reno Baily's passion for his home town comes through as he chronicles the life of Cliffside.

Cotton is no longer king. The textile industry has mostly moved to other countries. Cliffside held on much longer than many company towns. It is an important document for new generations who rarely will see an existing 'mill town'. Although the names mean little except to relatives and neighbors, it is important that this era in a community's life be kept alive. Reno has done that for Cliffside.

A glimpse of the past, present, and future of a town through images and words
Clear, sharp, bright photographs of people, places, and things allow the reader to catch the flavor of a mill town from the turn of the Twentieth Century until now. The captions are descriptive and at times even humorous. The real point of interest, however, is the people. The reader is encouraged to view the past but not to hold it too tightly. I recommend the book to other communities that have/had a textile industry, to those who want to look in the eyes of the people of past, and to those who want to find out more about life in a mill town. Experience a time gone by through this quality experience: CLIFFSIDE: Portrait of a Carolina Mill Town.

If this book of short stories does not make a former Tar Heel homesick, then I have not a clue as to what would... it made me want to go home immediately. The stories are funny, sad, and range in levels from wonderful to great. A librarian friend gave me this book and it is one of the best gifts I have ever received. I plan to purchase several to give as gifts. My home is now in California, but my heart will always be down home in North Carolina.

I'm ordering what must be my fourth or fifth copy of this terrific little book. It's a comforting, warm, fuzzy, and sometimes funny set of recollections sure to regenerate the reader's own rememberances of home. I try to keep a copy beside the bed in my guest room, but alas, my guests are always so taken with what they've read before turning out the light that I always have to say "Just take my copy along with you. I'll get another." I've also given it to friends in the process of fighting terrible illnesses. They find peace in the authors' accounts, conjuring up their own memories of home.

I bought this book for my grandfather in January of 2000. He immigrated to America with my grandmother and father from Lago, Calabria, Italy and worked as a miner and mine rescue worker in Pennsylvania during the days of H.C. Frick.

He turned 91 in December of 1999, but he vividly remembered his days in those mines until his death in April of 2000, when black lung finally weakened his heart, causing him to pass. Reading this book was one of the final acts of his long, admirable and often difficult life, and he assured me that this book portrays conditions inside the mines and in the company towns very accurately. The book tells the tales of the coal barons, but it is much more. It recalls the coal mining region's contribution to the building of the United States and is a testament to the immigrant spirit of those who made it possible.

This is an historically correct accounting of the beehive coke industry of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties of Pennsylvania (Connellsville Coke Region), which dominated the region from the end of the Civil War until the end of World War Two and was largely responsible for the growth of the Pittsburgh steel industry. Ms. Sheppard tells the story of the Coal Barons and their miners, mostly European immigrants, without taking sides in an issue which continues to this day. Financial manipulations and the growth of the unions are described in great detail. Her account of the rise and fall of Uniontown, Pa. coal baron J.V. Thompson is particularly intriguing, as is the story of Henry Clay Frick, one of America's premier industrialists. A must-read for any student of Pennsylvania mining or industrial history.

"Coastal Plants from Cape Cod to Cape Canaveral" is a wonderful addition to the botanical literature! For both novices and confirmed botanists, this book provides a great look at the plants of the Atlantic Coast. As someone who knows little about plants, this book provided me with clear and informative descriptions that I could easily use to identify the plants in my area. Obviously meticulously researched, this book is the first to provide such comprehensive coverage of the topic. The photographs are beautiful, helping to illustrate both the plants and their associated habitats. I highly recommend this book both to own and to give as a gift!

Coastal Plants From Cape Cod To Cape Canaveral showcases 125 commonly encountered wildflowers and plants native to coastal habitats ranging from Massachusetts to central Florida. Each entry includes the plant's scientific and common names, notes about its range and habitat, and a color photograph. Detailed species descriptions cover growth habits and life history, flowers and fruits, human uses, and importance to wildlife. A very highly recommended addition to any personal, professional, academic, or community library plant and horticultural reference collection, Coastal Plants is enhanced with a section on planning field trips to coastal areas, a glossary, and a list of selected natural areas to visit.

As a former North Carolina resident, our secret's out. "Coasting the
Mountains" depicts Western North Carolina as a magical place full of the
finest arts and crafts, antiques and an abundance of natural beauty and
outdoor activities. And it is! This guidebook covers a 200 mile
stretch from Murphy to Boone and uncovers lots of hidden treasures along
the way. It's a fun read too, with unusual facts and recipes. My
personal favorite: Kudzu Jelly!

Editorial Review

Call dibs on the shotgun seat as four enthusiastic travelers take you on a lively ride through western North Carolina in "Coasting the Mountains". The authors are friends...whose love of discovery shines through.

Their personal insights validate our enthusiasm for places we've visited and whet our appetites for those we haven't. Scattered throughout the book are recipes gathered during their rambles as well as boxes with notes of interest, little-known facts and insider tips. Plus they steer travelers to the best shopping and antiquing.

"Coasting the Moutains" is thorough and a lot more fun than most guidebooks.
Excerpted from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
September 16, 2001

Unfortuantely, I have only seen Codename Greenkil's chapter 4 regarding the "CWP's role" in the organization of the Brown Lung Association. I can speak to this with certainty and state that this chapter is on the money.

Some current CWP veterans claim that they organized the first chapter of the BLA in Greensboro, NC. This simply is not true. The hard work of organizing, i.e. facing down the fear factor of what Cone Mills might do, door knocking, building leadership, coordinating meetings/events, etc, was done by social activists with no affiliation with the individuals who later formed the CWP.

However, those individuals who later became the CWP did contribute invaluable medical roles in helping workers become identified as "possible" victims of brown lung disease, a critical first step in getting eligible for compensation and one that rarely occured in the Carolina's before 1974. In spite of the fact of expert physician estimates of 30-40,000 brown lung cases in the Carolinas, only some 80 had received workers' compensation before 1974.

I lived in Greensboro, NC when the the events in this book took place. Ms. Wheaton has done a remarkable job of research, in addition to naming names and defining the racist nature of the actions and the cover up. So sadly, it was no surprise that these events took place in my former city. It was also no surprise that the collaboration between the police/Klan/lawyers/
city officials convinced the 'jury' that the so-called officials had acted properly. In this year it perhaps becomes a more important read than when it was first published.

I really wish that some pepole out there would focus more on Mr. Toomer's writing talents and not on this whole "was he or was'nt he" about his racial background. I believe that Jean Toomer's words are powerful and universal for all people! His imagery is so amazing it's almost visual, and he is able to make the political deeply personal and not preachy. The works of this brilliant writer is far more important to me than the tiresome, trivial, and unfortunate pettiness of some individuals who want to argue about a subject that is designed to be derisive and distracting in a time when "Rome is Burning!"

This book is greatly recommened! Please add it to your library.

Jean Toomer should not be classified as "African American." He rejected that racist "one drop" classification and deserves praise and admiration for doing so. Toomer's parents and grandparents were not "black middle class" but looked whiter than many Americans who call themselves "white."Passing for Who You Really Are

Excellent scholarship by Michael Harris. A sensitively written history of visual stereotyping and its effects. The book interweaves and points out the importance of Yoruba and other African philosophical heritages and their positive affects on artists, images in the U.S. Really excellent!!!!!!

The book is as intellectually stimulating as it is visually captivating. Anyone interested in giving serious thought to the history and power of images depicting persons of African descent should read this book. It's thoughtful and thought provoking. A topic that should interest any American, no matter what their race or ethnicity!

This is an entertaining, inspiring, well written, highly readable and spectacularly practical book on community journalism. I cannot say enough good things about it. I'm currently using it in a class for students who are going to create a local news website and they like it, too.

I got this book because I'm starting up a local newspaper and it's been 30 some odd years since I majored in Journlaism. I found here a lot of what I only dimmly remembered, but which underscored what I believed about the feasibility of starting my paper. I also can see that it would be a good read for anyone nostalgic for the simpler days of newspapering.

South Carolina by Henry Leifermann is one of a series of Compass American Guides. Each state is written by a different author, and South Carolina is not only the best of them all, but also one of the most informative and concise guides ever written.

South Carolina is a diverse and beautiful state, and few states can boast that they begin at the Atlantic Ocean and end at the mountains. The author first provides us with a crash course in history from the geology of South Carolina, to the Colonial Era, the Revolution, the Antebellum Era, The Civil War and through to race relations and the diverse population that makes up this state. Leifermann also includes chapters on the Sea Islands, Charleston, Coastal Plantations, Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand, Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and the Blue Ridge. In addition to maps, timelines, paintings, and drawings, all the chapters include wonderful photography by Eric Horan.

This book is also packed full of pertinent information such as facts about the climate, the economy, the population, and specifics (state bird, state flower, etc.). It also provides the reader with practical information such as bed and breakfasts, hotel chains, restaurants, historic sites, festivals and events, museums, parks and forests, tours, golf courses, and places to get tourist information. It even includes a recipe or two.

So, if you're planning a trip to South Carolina, forget the AAA Tourbook and pick up Leifermann's book instead. You won't be disappointed.

Leifermann is an excellent writer, and his commentary is insightful. This is not your typical Chamber of Commerce, tourist brochure type of guidebook. The book is comprehensive and attractive, chock full of useful information. It contains excellent photography and tell-it-like-it-is descriptions. It has the accurate maps that are a necessity to any adequate guidebook. If you buy only one resource on South Carolina, this book should be it.