South Carolina Books

This is a beautiful book you can trust to provide solid guidance on growing not only perennials, but companion annuals and vines that tolerate hot, humid conditions. Sullivan also presents lots of ideas for creating beautiful gardens in a range of sites, such as deep shade or at the beach. One of my favorite sections is called "Don't even think of growing these plants here," in which she shares wisdom on plants that are doomed in this climate. Every coastal gardener should have this book.

A highly technical, comprehensive review of the geology of the Carolinas, this book is not an easy read, nor should one expect it to be. Prepare by having a good glossary available, and perhaps a good basic text in geology as well. Then brace yourself - the geology is extraordinarily complex. These authors provide good insight.

If you want to know more about the Washington family, these letters are wonderful. Recommend highly

Those who are looking for the real Georgia, not the politically correct, Yankeefied, love-me love-me obsequiousness of the current day chamber of commerce will be well pleased with this volume. It's well worth the search and will provide many enjoyable, informative day trips despite being somewhat dated. However, thanks to Mr. Spalding, one can easily check the back of the book for updated road access. Go ahead and have Amazon search for it- you'll be glad you did. -Marianna

Ghosts and Legends of the Carolina Coasts, Terrance Zepke's latest in her best-selling series of ghost tales books, is, if possible, her best yet. She's evidently been poking around in some spooky places, because she's stirred-up more lively ghosts for us to love, pity, fear and, yes -always- chill to, in these twenty-eight tales and legends from her beloved North and South Carolina shores.

Included throughout the book, and almost rivaling the actual tales, are bountiful historical facts; explicit directions (and the occasional warning) for visiting the ghost sites and museums; numerous websites to send us off on our own myriad ghost-searches; and intriguing, atmospheric illustrations setting the stage for each haunting tale. In other words, there is something fascinating for everyone, whether you are a ghost tale buff, travel enthusiast, or just curious to find out what this popular "ghost-craze" is all about. You'll be hooked, I guarantee it!

This is a great book that's broken up into small chapters so it's easy to read and doesn't bore anyone with un-necessary details like some books too. Pleanty of information in it, if you're planning a trip to Upstate SC, deffinatly grab this book for some great places to stop and check out...even if just for the beauty, not the ghosts!

You don't have to be a Charlestonian or even play golf to enjoy this colorful (both in pictures and words)book that pays homage to the city and the game. Granted it may be more meaningful but how can you not smile when reading a profile of the Kiawah Resort Director, "his schedule is tighter than Kirstie Alley's strech pants" ; or in noting, "At the Ocean Course, you don't play into the teeth of the wind, You play into fangs"
Zuckerman uses words the way an artist mixes colors to get the right shade, it is entertaining and informative. And you may have to consult your dictionary, as I did, as his vocabuary is precise.
If you want info about the courses, he'll take you around for a hole by hole description that is far from boring. The insightful profiles of the local golf luminaries, from players to resort owners provide a most interesting cast of characters...you get to know them. The essays range from skiiing to very personal touching accounts about his family. His "Etiquette Court (A One Act Play)" essay should be a must read and pinned up on bulletin boards in every golf club locker room.
Not just another "coffee table" book but one to savor like back to back birdies.

Granville County is large in size, but could barely fill Kenan Stadium on a good day. It is in the shadow of North Carolina's Research Triangle
Park and will face immense growth in the coming years as Mayberry finds itself in the path of progress. Lewis Bowling gives us a poignant look back at some of the famous faces from its past.

"Grassroots Garveyism" is one of the best books I've read on the organizing traditions of the Garveyites!!!! Many young itinerate preachers, like Malcolm X's mother and father, were organizers. It provides a class analysis of the membership, supported by the census--workers, peasants and tenant farmers and farm workers--also many in port cities involved & exploited in maritime industry--as well as many labor organizers. In contrast to Judith Stein's class analysis, this is a powerful revision of the UNIA story--less speculation, more analysis. Above all, Mary Rolinson does a powerful analysis of the symbolic politics of self-emancipation, self-respect and self-defense at the grassroots.


Komozi Woodard
Professor of History, Africana Studies & Public Policy
Sarah Lawrence College
Author of "A Nation Within a Nation."

In reading about Southern history, I kept coming across the name of Moses Waddel and his Willington Academy. A narrow-minded fire and brimstone preacher, Waddel launched a galaxy of brilliant antebellum Southern leaders using educational methods shrewdly calculated to foster self reliance and intense self motivation. I wonder if our kids today have the same opportunity that backwoods South Carolinians did in 1804. Very readable book with plenty of well researched detail, that fairly deals with both the successes and faults of this influential if not great man.