South Carolina Books

Thank you for providing such great service. You followed through on your end of the deal perfectly.

This thoroughly researched and well-written book held special meaning for me, one of the last generation from the segregated South who entered a movie theater through the "colored" entrance and sat in the balcony, and who spent four years at Duke U. during the early '70's. The presence of the Klan in my small North Carolina town was always known but hidden, and this book provided insight into why poor whites find membership in the Klan and its philosophies so attractive and how the white elite was secretly complicit in its support of the Klan. This book introduced me to Hayti, the section of Durham where low-income African-Americans live. Despite my four years at Duke, I'd never heard of this neighborhood, and the story of Hayti resident Ann Atwater's activism to improve conditions for poor blacks and whites in Durham is amazing. Duke U. is a very insular campus, and town-gown relations between the school and Durham have historically been tense. I'm very glad that this book exists for incoming freshmen to read; to spend four years on a campus and have no knowledge of the town surrounding the campus (as I did not have) is shameful.
A very valuable insight in this book is the author's understanding of the strange dynamics of class, which exists throughout the South but is seldom mentioned. Blaming African-Americans for their economic woes, and receiving secret support from the white elite, has historically distracted poor whites from the reality that it is this white elite, with its power and money, that keeps poor whites economically down-trodden.
Although I was in Durham slightly later than the years during which the events of the book take place, I had some familiarity with many of the key players (Howard Fuller, Floyd McKissick, Asa Spaulding), and the book exhaustively discusses the roles of everyone involved in this tumultuous time in Durham. It reads like riveting fiction, and the evolution of the relationship between C.P. Ellis and Ann Atwater is a wonderful story.

As someone who works for parity in this society, I look for materials that show clearly that poor white people have more in common with blacks and other ethnic/racial peoples than they do with the power structure that oppresses us all. This book clearly and beautifully illustrates that point.

It has always mystified me that more poor "white" men, in particularly, fail to see this. Every young white man who blames blacks for his inability to get a decent job, the meagerness of his life, or whatever, should read this book. Every petty racist should read the story of C.P. Ellis and Ann Atwater and learn something about the real problems, not the cheap shot racist answers that many of us come to too readily in this society.

I've purchased five copies for myself and friends. A great book to give that relative, co-worker or acquaintance who persists in making racist comments and blaming blacks for the problems in this society.

This book has been out of print for some time, but thankfully the University of North Carolina Press has resurrected it. Duke University's incoming Freshman class has been assigned to read this book as their compulsory summer reading assignment. The Class of 2011 will then discuss this book during Freshman Orientation Week. The selection of this book as the summer reading assignment is timely with the upheavals in Durham and at Duke during the so called "Duke Lacrosse Scandal."

It is interesting to note that Durham held on to Jim Crow laws and was very slow to integrate public schools compared with some high profile Southern cities. When forced to comply with court-ordered integration, the school district took the unusual step of pairing a long-time black activist and a ranking member of the Ku Klux Klan to lead a committee whose purpose it was to deal with the issues surrounding integration. It seems like this would be a disaster, but surprisingly it was far from it.

I should note that this is not some dry recitation of the past. The story reads much more like a novel. I couldn't put in down and found myself quite moved by the story.

This is a truly poignant book that demonstrates how much we have in common with people of other races, creeds or colors and how, by finding common ground, we can move ahead in our society. There are lessons here for us in the new millennium.

For those interested in an excellent book dealing with similar issues, I recommend Blood Done Sign My Name: A True Story

An extraordinary book, not for its writing or ideas, but for the *very idea of it!* How could this have happened, and how could the book tell the story like this??? As a feminist I'm challenging the assumptions of white males who think they are in touch with African Americans, or with feminism. As a white Woman, I feel for the experiences of Black Women, and am sickened by the way white males mostly just don't get it. This is such a strange book you will be blinking hard for sometime afterward.

This book is the current center of the Boykin Spaniel's literary universe. Mr. Creel and Mr. Kelley have done a fabulous job of writing a book that covers every facet of the Boykin Spaniel breed. The story of how the breed came to exist, the trials of survival and how the current place in Carolina society are all part of the time line and stories unfolded by these gentlemen. The history and myth of the dog is in here along with lots of wonderful stories of these little brown dogs' antics that make them such wonderful hunting partners and family pets. The political battles fought in the South Carolina State Capitol and among Boykin fanciers everywhere are all brought to life and recorded for the intrested reader. This is the singularly most helpful book for the family or individual debating if the Boykin Spaniel breed is the right breed for them. A must read for every Boykin owner, breeder,or hunter who loves these dogs.

This is a wonderful book that details the beginning history of the breed. It cumulates to the mid-1990's where it details the current happening in the breed for those few years after a registry was formed and where the breed first began to popularize across the nation. Unfortunately, the book is out of print and the printer is out of business. It is unknown but doubtful that there will be a 2nd edition of this book to update the leaps in development of the breed to the current history. Appendix is dated as of 1997; much has changed since then. Persons who submitted pictures for the book report that they are mis-labeled throughout the book. Much more is known about the breed's health needs and genetic diseases, as well as the breed's AKC parent club, the Boykin Spaniel Club & Breeders Assoc. of America, being named and the Boykin's advancement into AKC events announced in 2005. In all, this is a great book for a collector's library but not much use to a pet owner looking for current information on the breed.

i love this book ans it gives you alot on the boykin spaniel and prepares you for what is next in your dogs life, if it's getting the puppy, getting the shots, or putting it down and getting a new puppy, you'll be ready!!! Have a great time with this book!

Great book to own especially if you own a Boykin or are interested in the breed!

Explains the history and genetics of the breed in detail.

This book is a "must read" for anyone seriously considering adopting a Boykin. It is comprehensive, describing in great detail the history and characteristics of the breed. The authors' love for these dogs is apparent, and one can not help but develop an affinity for these dogs as one becomes more familiar with them. Appendices provide helpful resources for finding breeders and additional information, and numerous pictures are provided. ( My only complaint is the occasional grammatical/spelling error that could've been omitted with better proofreading.) When a reader finishes this book, he/she will clearly understand the strengths and weaknesses of the breed and be able to make a well-informed decision whether to pursue purchasig this dog.

Sometimes you'll be driving down the street and you'll see Mr. Fraser with an easel and paint, and he'll be painting another truly spectacular masterpiece of a painting. He always says "hello" and is a kind person who always likes to talk when you pass by him on the street. The author of the description of the landscapes of Charleston, Angela Mack is a very kind person, and really knows her stuff. She lives in downtown Charleston with her equally wonderful family. Ted Phillips is a truly marvelous person who loves to write. He's the kind of person who is so enjoyable, and almost everyone in town knows and loves him. He lives in Charleston with his wife and two children. I really recommend this book to anyone from my age, 12, and up.

I think that this was one of the best books I've ever read. My favorite part is the biography of West Fraser. The author Phillips is truly a talented author. I recommend this book to anybody who loves art or landscape views

After purchasing West Fraser's book, Charleston in my Time, I fell in love with his honest depiction of Charleston and the lowcountry. I took a trip to Charleston to see Mr. Fraser's paintings at Fraser Fox Fine Art and realized that his work is even more breath taking in person. I even had the pleasure of meeting him and he was so kind and gentle. He will go down in history as one of the great 20th century impressionist painters. I highly recommend taking a trip to Charleston and checking out his gallery, Fraser Fox Fine Art or see it online at www.fraserfoxfineart.com.

Charleston is the most beautiful city in America, and Fraser's paintings capture its unique charms better than any photo book or travel video. The text by Ted Phillips provides a witty and comprehensive overview to Fraser's work--don't miss it!

The oil paintings of artist Fraser are unique: they focus on the landmarks, scenery, and life of Charleston and its area. Charleston In My Time blends full-page color reproductions of his paintings with his own reflections on Charleston life and views of his work. Art collections with either an interest in Charleston or regional painting will find this beautiful.

In meticulously chronicling US/German relations before the Great War, Mitchell has managed to reveal that there never was any German designs on the Americas, and that she was used as a bogeyman and cover for US imperialism under the guise of the Monroe Doctrine. She also exposes the innate anti German bias of the Fifth Estate, as well as the perfidy and treachery of the British in sowing/fanning the flames of US hatred for Germany, while appeasing the US by bending over backwards, in Venezuela, Mexico and Panama

Actually what was most interesting was the last pages when Mitchell cursorilly mentioned the blatant land grabs, occupations and annexations in Carribean and South America in 1915 and thereafter by that hypocritical, amoral imperialist, Wilson once the Euroepean Powers were heavily engaged in mortal combat, all under the name of protecting freedom, democracy and human rights (sound familiar?).

Prof. Mitchell has written a very good, well-paced and well-argued treatise on a particular situation (German-American relations vis-a-vis Latin America at the turn of the last century), that is relevant to broader, more current issues. American exceptionalism has always required demonization of a perceived villain or adversary, the Devil if you will, in order to mask our neo-imperialist ambitions. As Mitchell argues in her concluding chapter, Imperial Germany and its bombastic monarch made convenient demons to suit the ambitions or moods of particular institutions, such as the Navy or the yellow press, and even Woodrow Wilson conjured up the Teutonic bogeyman when it suited him.
In reality, the central theme of her book is of inconsequential historical significance, since the German dog had no bite to support its shrill bark (as one German wag deftly remarked.)There simply never was any credible German threat to American security or even the ambiguous Monroe Doctrine to worry about. But what is more relevant today is how perception can be manipulated to justify imperialism in the guise of some nobler ideal. If you need any modern evidence of this proclivity of ambitious politicians, look at the Iraqi Tar Baby and the President that's struggling to break free of it today.
This book is a must-read for any serious student of international relations, especially of the tense situation prior to WW One.

This is a splendid book. It is extremely well researched, yet it reads like a novel, because the author writes so well. It illuminates US-German relations in the 1890-1914 period, as well as US and German policies toward Latin America in those years, providing a subtle and nuanced interpretation that is based on an impressive amount of evidence culled from the US, British and German archives. And, again, it combines the rigor of a superb historian with the grace of a first-class novelist.

A superb read. If I were a dog, I would be salivating.

I re-read this book recently, which allowed me to place it on my list of books worthy of review. To begin, Dr. Nancy Mitchell is an outstanding professor. Having sat in her classroom several years ago as a graduate student, I can now look back and add that she is one of the best teachers I've ever had.

The Danger of Dreams is exceptional because it is timeless. In the early twentieth-century, there was a political game being played between the US and Germany; but, as Dr. Mitchell clearly demonstrates through careful research, "the uncertainty of it all, of perception and reality," allowed policy makers to distort and twist perception until it could become reality. In this case, it was the dreams of a kaiser versus the ambition and intent of a rising power.

As a history book, Mitchell stepped to the plate and knocked the ball out of the park. She writes like she teaches (grabbing your attention and pulling you in), using such a wide range of sources that any student of history will be both envious and enlightened. As a careful analysis of diplomacy and policy making, she has added a great volume to the shelves of political scientists as well. For those who read purely for pleasure, here too she rounds the bases because this book is a great story and it is exceptionally told.

In the games that nations play, "perhaps there is a constant ratio of power to sense of threat," and perhaps there are some powerful and very modern lessons here. Perception is reality, isn't it?

Major Allen C. Boothby, Jr.
Infantry Officer
US Marine Corps

This is a splendid book. It is extremely well researched, yet it reads like a novel, because the author writes so well. It illuminates US-German relations in the 1890-1914 period, as well as US and German policies toward Latin America in those years, providing a subtle and nuanced interpretation that is based on an impressive amount of evidence culled from the US, British and German archives. And, again, it combines the rigor of a superb historian with the grace of a first-class novelist.

This is an excellent book, a long awaited and much needed factual account of a group of courageous men whose activism had major impact on the movement. Hill has produced a wealth of documentation to prove the history he has brought to the fore.
This account does tribute to those brave and unsung (heretofore)
heroes who refused to further degrade themselves and thier communities by turning the other cheek! Must reading.

This book kept me up reading all night. I had in the past heard that their had been a group that pre dated The Black Panther Party, and were operating in the deep south. However there was not much information on this clandestine group. Well there is now. This is the book. My chest burst with pride as the tears fell down my cheeks. If you read nothing else this year please read this book if you want to know what our people were really doing during the "movement". The media had been lying to us about our role in our own history! This book is about us!

excellent coverage of a little-known but very important part of the civil rights movement. if you're tired of the conventional view of the crm with everyone on their knees praying, this book is for you.

An important corrective to the nonviolence theme that domninates most histories of the Civil Rights Movement. The Deacons were mostly home grown Black Veterans from working class neighborhoods in small southern towns like Bogalusa and Jonesboro Louisianna. When the Klan and Police beat on civil rights workers and local protestors the Deacons fought back. In July 1965 when a mob of whites attacked a group of civil rights, mostly children, marchers in Bogalusa a Deacon shot a Klan member sending him to hospital. This incident had a profound impact on the response to Black demands for equal rights in Lousianna. Finally, the White Establishment began to make changes that led to a better life for Louisianna's Blacks. Professor Hill's(History, Tulane Univesity) book is full of such incidents and proves that the Deaon's impact on the souhtern Civil Rights struggle must not be overlooked.

you have to speak the language of the wolf." - Henry Austin, Deacons for Defense

This is truly a lost history of the civil rights movement that author Lance Hill has found under the layers upon layers of mainstream narratives which conveniently dictate false truths that - when repeated enough - become larger than life.

Following the organized self-defense philosophy espoused by Robert F. Williams in Monroe, N.C., a small group of men in Jonesboro, Louisiana, founded an organization that had great influence in the civil rights movement of the mid-1960s. The success the Deacons had in defeating the KKK and other haters on the streets by standing up, moving forward and staring them down with guns loaded brought a new sense of empowerment in demanding that justice truly be served today.

Hill explains how he became aware of the Deacons and then began his quest to research the history. Initially founded to protect civil rights workers, the Deacons' influence in the Deep South grew with a regional organizing campaign in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, along with chapters being founded in several Northern cities.

The success and expansion of the program brought interest from the FBI, coverage by an oftentimes adverse media and linkage - oftenetimes quite temporary - with a number of revolutionary organizations.

But through the comparatively brief time the Deacons operated - about four years - Hill successfully argues that the organization forced the federal government to aggressively enforce the 1964 Civil Rights Act and was the bridge to the Black Power movement that emerged later in the decade.

The Deacons' legacy continues, as former members have strongly stated over the years that the group has never actually gone away. And, as Hill writes, "Finally, there is something inspiring in a story of people who stood up to injustice when everyone around them was afraid. That is a fable that will always serve us well."

The Deacons for Defense lives in the souls of those who do their part on a daily basis to bring real justice to this country.

As owners of Collina Plantation bed and breakfast in Mississippi built in 1835, we have hired a landscape architect to restore the grounds back to what they would have looked like during the 1840's to 50's. He says this is the most comprehensive book of its kind he has ever seen. Very in-depth for the serious restoration gardener.

This is hands down my favorite gardening book ever. It is a fascinating historical document and a wonderful botanical reference. The numerous illustrations are beautiful and interesting. For the gardener it is an incredible read. For the gardener who is a history buff, like me, it is absolutely indispensable. It's rare to find a subject so beautifully and thoroughly discussed. Buy this book!!

A lush book for daydreaming, even if you have a northern garden. This volume is part gardening reference, part historical narrative, part coffee table viewing, and a great read.

A beautifully illustrated seminal book on the antebellum gardens of the South. This book will challenge readers and scholars alike to explore further. It is an excellent beginning.

This book received an Award of Honor from the American Society of Landscape Architects Professional Awards program in 2004--one of only two books so recognized that year.

Here is a coffee table book that is worthy of reading as well as enjoying the pictures and illustrations. Well conceived with wit and wisdom of the players, peripheral personalities, and the low down on the Low country courses.
Written with an obvious love of the game, and a way with words, the author entertains us with interesting profiles as well as incisive reviews of the courses. Who knows ...... it may even take a few strokes off your score as you are forewarned about the hazards that will be encountered.
Great book for the local Low landers and those who may visit the area.

Fabulous and funny essays about golf and golfers, coupled with insightful reviews of the area's courses. A must read for anyone planning to partake of the Low Country's golf course treasures.

I was given this book as a birthday gift, and thought it would just be a pretty picture book about the fine courses of Hilton Head Island and Savannah. That element is definitely present, but what surprised me were the funny essays about the game of golf the author intersperses with the course reviews and area personality profiles. It's really a nice read--entertaining and informative in the same breath.

Having never played golf in that neck of the country, I am sorely tempted to head down that way when I'm next on vacation. Zuckerman does a great job in making these courses come alive and his style of writing is breezy and fun --and with great insight into the sport of golf.

I've been playing golf in the Hilton Head-Savannah area for several years, and this is a truly excellent representation of the courses, people and situations any visitor will encounter there.
The photos and drawings are really nice, and the text is both funny and compelling. I would recommend this book to any fan of golf in this area.

This travel guide book is fantastic! It is full of great information on hotels, restaurants and places to see plus it's really fun to read. This writer is really humorous! He knows his Southern history, culture, and food. I highly recommend it!

This book came in handy on my recent trip to Charleston, SC. The recommendations the author made were excellent. I found the book to be entertaining as well. I also have the South Carolina Handbook and it's excellent too.

Mike Sigalas's guide to the coastal areas of North and South Carolina is a fascinating resource with maps, pictures, historical information, and an insider's knowledge of restaurants, accommodations and entertainment.

The book is written in a casual, friendly style and organized into sections about the region's history, climate, wildlife and plants; travel information such as activities, food, transportation and services; and in-depth chapters on Nags Head and the Outer Banks, New Bern and the Central Coast, Wilmington and the Southern North Carolina Coast, Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, Charleston and Vicinity, and Beaufort and the Low Country. The book concludes with a listing and synopsis of books and films set in the area or about the area, and a very good index.

Having just returned from a stay in Charleston, I can say that the chapter on that area was well-written, informative and presented well. Museum and attraction listings include hours, fees and phone numbers. Accommodations described were traditional, B&Bs, rental homes and campgrounds. Restaurants are divided by cuisine and location; we tried four of them and were happy with the advice. Entertainment information is given for festivals, concert venues, clubs and bars, playhouses, movie theaters and coffee shops. Sports, recreation and shopping information proved reliable, and the transportation section addressed walking, tours, public transport and visitor centers. Several pages discuss places of interest in the Greater Charleston area.

This book was very helpful to us. Well done.

At last, a travel book that informs like a dusty tome of history, amuses and entertains like comedy, and that is as hard to put down as thriller fiction. This author has given us an overview of the Coastal Carolinas that is observant and accurate. He writes about the region with a non-deprecating irreverance born of loving familiarity...... his is a self-mocking humor, that is acceptable because it is obvious that this author is in love with this little bit of heaven. Well-done, Mr. Sigalas!

I loved this book! It made me laugh out loud! The writer is really funny and his restaurant recommendations were fantastic! The sites to see were also great. Sigalas really knows the South.

It is so good to have a guidebook that contains more than just hikes under five or six miles. The maps are very helpful and the trail details are well written. I look forward to making liberal use of this book when gas prices go down.

I've never though of South Carolina as being much of a state for hiking, but this book has changed my mind. South Carolina is full of trails! Several dozen of the best trails are described in detail. Flora, fauna, interesting features, the usual outdoor stuff, but eloquently depicted. Could use more photos, but you'll probably be taking plenty of your own at some of the gorgeous places listed here. As it is, the book small enough to fit easily into a rucksack. There are good, accurate maps. If a trail is especially difficult there is a graph to help you gauge your efforts - you can see how much is uphill, how much downhill, how much is level, etc. Helps a lot with the pacing. The back of the book has a list of ALL the trails in the state. There is a telephone number listed for each one so you can call for more information. Also has basic how-to information for beginning hikers. If you want to get out and see more of South Carolina, this is the way to do it! Highly recommended.

This guidebook has long been sorely needed. Great maps, great directions, full information. I have used it for several hikes and found it to be on the money. This is in contrast to the hiking guide I previously used, which was confusing and lacked adequate maps.

I have especially enjoyed learning about great hiking opportunities in the South Carolina Low Country, in addition to the tried and true mountain trails.

Solid in every respect, this guide described 62 hiking destinations throughout the state of South Carolina. Each hike contains detailed directions to the trailhead, a fairly detailed description of the trail, and a map with more details than you would expect from a Falcon guide. Almost half of these hikes are in the mountains, with the remainder split evenly between the midlands and the coastal plains.

Probably the greatest strength of this guide is the diversity of its hikes. Distances range from multi-day backpack treks along the Foothills Trail in upstate South Carolina to a short 1 mile walk through the swamps along the Edisto River. Nearly every type of destination is covered including waterfalls, wetlands, bird sanctuaries, rivers, overlooks, and just nice, plain forest hikes. If 62 hikes are not enough, this book also features an appendix listing every trail catalogued by the South Carolina State Trail Coordinator. Thus, no matter where you are in the state or what kind of hike you prefer, you will find something (and probably lots of things) of interest in this guide.

It's hard to find a weakness with this guide. The closest thing I could find would be the fact that the author uses SR to mean Secondary Route instead of the standard State Route; he uses SC for South Carolina State Route. In addition to just being awkward, the author on at least one occasion (Turkey Creek Trail) forgets this designation himself. So make sure you have a good map like a DeLorme Atlas and Gazeteer before you start out toward one of these trailheads.

In summary, this guide has no major flaws, and it is the best guide to South Carolina hiking that I am aware of on the market. So if you are interested in hiking the Palmetto State, this guide should find its way into your library.

Falcon Guides' "Hiking South Carolina," by John Clark and John Dantzler, has it all: great maps, articulate and informative narratives, over 50 interesting photos, and a plethora of details that provide readers with everything they need to know to enjoy South Carolina's natural heritage. It even has an introduction by Judge Alex Sanders, President of the College of Charleston, whose unorthodox insight is humorous and informative.

As is the case with all Falcon Guides, the maps are superb. There are detailed maps of each of the book's 62 featured hikes, each with a locator map inset, plus an overview map of the Mountain Bridge Natural Area network of trails and a numbered, locator overview page that pinpoints on a single state map the location of each of the featured hikes.

The prose is well-written and informative, with descriptions of history, flora, and fauna, in addition to helpful directions to guide hikers and enable them to avoid problems with confusing trail indicators. The authors hiked all described trails over the past two years to insure the accuracy and timeliness of all information. "Hiking South Carolina" even has descriptions of recently completed segments of the new mountains-to-sea Palmetto Trail, plus an overview of this exciting project.

If you like details, this book is definitely for you. For each hike, it has superb directions to trailheads and information on distances, trail conditions, fees, rest rooms and other facilities, nearby lodging and amenities, and where to obtain additional information. The appendix contains a directory of over 300 trails, plus a comprehensive bibliography, phone numbers, web sites, hiker's checklist, and more.

As Chair of the South Carolina Sierra Club, this reviewer recommends "Hiking South Carolina" enthusiastically and without reservation.

I enjoyed this book very much. Tarleton's deductive and vainglorious writings are very informative yet do not dwell on American victories but rather American humiliation. I would not recommend it if you are not altogether serious though.

A fascinating book, plainly and well written. It took a moment or so to get used to the vernacular but it's a smooth read. I was particularly interested in Tarleton's say on what happened during the Buford Massacre because he implies (in my opinion) that the slaughter of the American troops was not ordered by him but rather, a circumstance of war and the crazed emotional upheaval that accompanies the heat of battle. The book presents an interesting view of the American War of Independence from the "other side". Well worth it.

After over 113 years of being out of print, Banastre Tarleton once again speaks (at an affordable leavel no less) of his experiences and knowledge of the battles he and his British compatriots went through. Mind you, it is a bit of a dry read as that his legal style of writing shows through the whole thing. If you ever wanted insight as to the British side of the American Revolution,here's your book!

The style of the antique font is most appealing to devotees of British Militaria. It is though one is reading the dispatches from "Bloody Bana" himself. This is the point of view never learned in America. If you enjoyed "The Patriot" you will enjoy this book. Refers in the 1st part to Major Patrick Ferguson, the inventor of the Ferguson Breechloading Flintlock rifle. The descriptions of the terrain and hardships as well as surrender terms and stores captured are thoroughly detailed.

A very detailed history of the Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution. At times a little self serving. It is enjoyable in eighteenth century text. Detailed maps.