South Carolina Books

As Jim Logan points out in the introduction to this Inside the NFL volume, the "NFC South" are the younger brothers of the NFL family. That is because when the league went from three divisions to four in 2002 the new divisions were the ones representing the South. But the oldest teams in the division, the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans (New Jersey/San Antonio/Baton Rouge) Saints have only been around since 1966 and 1967 respectively. That explains in part why collectively this division has produced one Super Bowl champion (pay attention to what in on page 4-5 and not the chart on page 42). But because these teams are relative newcomers to the NFL young fans will find that this book provides a solid introduction to the history of each team.

The teams are arranged in alphabetical order and for three of the four teams the stories are pretty similar, beginning with season after season of losing. The exception is the Carolina Panthers, but after their surprising initial success they had some dark years as well. Consequently for most of these team histories the emphasis is on coaches and key players. Young fans who already know about Michael Vick, Julius Peppers, Deuce McAllister, and Derrick Brooks will know find out about Steve Bartkowski, Kevin Greene, Chuck Muncie, and Lee Roy Selmon (I would think they already know about Archie Manning). The history of some of these teams is so short that it seems like every head coach they have ever had gets mentioned. These teams have played very few big games, but Logan accounts for most of them so that if you root for one of these teams and your father or somebody else starts going on about what happened to the Falcons in 1981 in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys you will have something to contribute to the conversation (assuming, for the sake of argument, they allow you to talk on the subject).

In the back of the book there is more evidence of how young these teams are in NFL terms. The Stat Stuff section includes Team Records, the seven Members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame that have played for these four teams (where Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell and Jim Taylor all earned their places because of their accomplishments with other teams), and NFC South Career Leaders (through 2002). There is also a Glossary, a Time Line, and a list of books and sites on the web where young fans can go For More Information About the NFS South and the NFL, where Logan gets a two point PAT because there are books about each of the four teams so fans of any one of these four franchises can learn a whole lot more about them. There is a black & white photograph of older stars like Tommy Nobis and Tom Dempsey, and color photographs for more recent ones like Deion Sanders and Mike Alstott. Yes, this 2004 volume is slightly out of date already when it comes to where Muhsin Muhammad and Keyshawn Johnson are playing today, but the value here for young fans are the histories Logan provides for these four teams.

I bought this book to help me with my geneological research in our family surname. This is book is exactly what the title says it is. It is a listing of all marriage records for these two states for the time period indicated. Names are alphabetical by both husband and wife. The information however, is the the couples names, the date, and the location....and nothing more. Unless you plan to do a great deal of research, you'd be just as well off if you got this from the library. It's an expensive investment for one or two names and a date....unless you sell it afterwards.

A great book that explores all of the regions of North Carolina's exciting history.

This is an exceptionally well written book on the various eras in the architectural development of what I consider to be the most architecturally diverse state in the union. I have lived in North Carolina all of my life and I have seen at least 3/4 of the structures mentioned in the book. Bishir does a great job of explaining the forces that lead to the development of these great monuments to society. The photography is quite good, but for some strange reason all of the color photos are in the back of the book out of the context of the writing. I don't like having to flip to the back to see a "pretty" picture (there are plenty less "pretty" B & W photos within the text). This is a huge book that you will have to have a custom bookshelf built for. If you wish to put it on your coffee table please reinforce it first. I've lost three tables due to is mass. All kidding aside, this is a definate must read.

Don't look here for hotel or restaurant info. This is a beach book, so check in here by county to see the well-known beaches and those that will surprise you. The author selected Hammocks Beach State Park as the best of the lesser known beaches. He suggests the best beaches for first time visitors, the best for sports oriented vacations, and the best for visiting in the off-season.
The information is detailed, giving the things you need to know for your vacation. Want a boat ramp, or to see a lighthouse? This books tells you where to go. (The Associated Press reviewed this book favorably.)

I'm new to North Carolina and wanted help choosing and visiting the beaches. This book gives a lot of good information, especially about avoiding the crowds, getting around in traffic, and where to park. An essential guide to NC beaches.

The North Carolina Bed & Breakfast Cookbook is one of a series. This is one of the best series I've ever purchased. If you are a lover of Southern food & hospitality, this is a wonderful cookbook for you.

I grew up reading Jerry Bledsoe in the Greensboro Daily News. I enjoyed his columns then and I enjoyed NC Curiosities even more! I thought I knew a lot about the Tarheel State until I poured over this book! It made me want to go back on a pilgrimage to visit all the crazy places I never knew existed and to re-visit all the places I know so well, but which apparently have curious secrets!
Jules Shepard, author of Nearly Normal Cooking For Gluten-Free Eating: A Fresh Approach to Cooking and Living Without Wheat or Gluten

Through prose, pictures and poems, this book gives one the "feel" of truely being a North Carolinian. Even if you have never visited the state, you can laugh, cry and dream as Charles Kuralt paints picture words of his home. A lovely relaxing read.

This was a very informative book. I gave this to my friend for his birthday. We sat down with our other friend and planned out places to go. It was very informative about the places and even listed the town I live in.
I recommend it to anyone who likes day trips or learning about different places.