Virginia Books

This short biography of the author's childhood is a wonderful coming of age story in the harsh mining environment of Southern West Virginia, and is somewhat similar to "Crum", a fictional novel by Lee Maynard. This remembering and re-telling of the youthful thoughts, fears and emotions is incredible, as is his vivid portrayal of the harsh lives of the coal mining families. This needs to be required reading in West Virginia schools.

Here's a sample: "About 90 of the registered Democrats had to be paid with cash or liquor before they would come to the polls and vote. But, they were honest. Once you bought them, they stayed all day, refusing to sell out to the opposing side even at a higher price. It was a matter of honor."
Despite the sterotypical portrayal of West Virginians, I embrace my WV heritage. Andrew Chafin is one of the reasons why. He exemplifies the inherent creativity, dry wit, intuition, determination, and intelligence that characterize many Appalachians. His memoir is a fun and enlightening read. I highly recommend it.

AN EXCELLENT STORY! REQUIRED READING FOR MY ENTIRE FAMILY! SHOULD BE ON EVERY BOOKSHELF IN AMERICA! Growing Up in Bloody Mingo was a joy to read. I couldn't put it down. This coming-of-age story set in the West Virginian Mountains of the 1950's offers the reader both an enjoyable read and a lesson in history. I was impressed by the originality of the story, the unique characters, and the author's honest portrayal of adolescence in America. I laughed myself to tears as I read about the adventures of the main character, but I have also obtained a newfound respect and admiration for West Virginains, especailly the brave and proud coal miners that suffered so our nation could prosper. Growing Up in Bloody Mingo awakens the childhood and high school memories that lie dormant in all Americans, regardless of age.
If I could compare this book to any other, it reminds me somewhat of Stand by Me.

This is the best book I have read in months!

I have read and studied the Hatfield and McCoy Feud for years. This is a great companion book to anyone wishing to learn more about the Hatfield and McCoys. It offers a unique perspective on both the people involved and the land where it occured. This is not a history book of facts and figures, but a well-told story of warmth and pride.

The author, a descendant of the Hatfields, has bathed the mountains of his boyhood home with pride, and restored the unfortunate suffering image of the West Virginian.

I think this book is now A Falcon Guide HIKING VIRGINIA by local
hikers Bill & Mary Burnham. ISBN 0-7627-2747-0. HIGHLY RECOMMEND also.
I also have the Hike Pennsylvania (Hike America Series)too. GREAT BOOK.
Hikes in order of region and close proximity (great for planning)
Hike Specs, how to get there, Hike Miles and Directions to the 1/10th of mile.
Trail Map overlaid on TopoMap. Elevation Graph in verical and horizontal measurements.

In my opinion this is the best hiking book for Virginia. The trail guides are accurate and provide great information. I originally borrowed this book from the Library and then had a hard time finding this book online for sale, eventually discovered that this book is now under the title of "Hiking Virginia" and is published by Falcon.

Terrific book! Not only does it provide all the necessities for hiking in Virginia, it also provides a great deal of entertainment. Anyone considering braving the wilds of the Old Dominion shouldn't be without this book. The authors assembled everything a person needs to know about hiking the state. I was dumbfounded by the volume of information provided including: nearby lodgings for those nights before (or after) a trek, trail maps, things to watch for and things to avoid. Novice and experienced hikers will get value from this book.

Most suprisingly, I found it a really funny read! The authors have a great sense of humor and the anecdotes they share will tickle you. I found myself wanting to hike some of the trails they cover just to see where some of these events took place!

Overall, a great book - they obviously love hiking and their enthusiasm for it rubs off. Fortunately, they couple it with sage guidance.

Everything, and we're talking every last thing, you will want or need to know about hiking in Virginia. Comprehensive, yet does not overwhelm with information. This feature owes a great deal to the editorial layout. The pages themselves are aesthetically pleasing, with beautiful photos and interesting sidebars, and information is easy to find. No digging through indexes and tables of contents and flipping through endless chapters to find trail information. You can give it a quick read and get all the essentials, or take a little bit more time and peruse the more in-depth accounts of the trails (which are delightful, by the way).

A special recommendation for including some of the more out-of-the-way and unique hiking destinations (such as the Eastern Virginia shore points, and the Southwest Highlands). I want to Hike Virginia!

As a child, I first hiked trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway with my father more than 40 years ago, and over the decades I've continued to return with a sense of awe at the area's spectacular beauty and rich seasonal variety. But what has been lacking for all of that time is a trail guide that mixes knowledgeable commentary and accurate descriptions with good topographical maps and photos. "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway," which I picked up just last week on the way to the mountains, now fills that void in exemplary fashion.

I've hiked a good many of the trails, but I was surprised and pleased to see that there are many that I've not yet tried-and now plan to experience. I can attest that my favorite hikes are described very accurately, with historical and geographical commentary that gives me a new appreciation for some of the places I thought I knew quite well. Details such as the topo maps, elevation gains, difficulty levels, and key-points lists really open up the trails for both beginners and experienced hikers. A 38-page Parkway mileage log at the back of the book is a handy reference for trails, facilities, and resources. I'm sure that this book will accompany thousands of hikers who want to get the most out of their Blue Ridge Parkway hiking experiences.

This guide leads hikers on some of the best trails along the Parkway. As a summer resident of the area I have been hiking the area for several years and I still learned from this guide. As a biologist, I particularly liked the coverage of plants and animals of the area.

As an avid hiker, I struggle to find detailed maps and descriptions of hikes. My time is limited, so I love to find out exactly what to expect on a hike before I begin. "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway" has become my primary reference to discovering new hikes that are easy to find. It is very evident that Mr. Johnson has hiked all of the trails because of the great details such as "don't get sucked down the old trail... bear right to reach the junction with two signs."

I know how easy to take a wrong turn on hike, so such details are very helpful. However, my favorite part of the book are the detailed topo maps. When I set out on a hike from the book, I make a copy of the desription and map to take with me. I refer to the map a lot (to avoid those wrong turns!). The mileage log in the back of the book gives a great mile-by-mile account of the Parkway.

There are many amazing hikes along the Parkway. Don't miss them!

As someone who lives near and regularly hikes trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway, I commend Randy Johnson's excellent "Hiking The Blue Ridge Parkway." First, I love the author's dedication . . .

To past and present Appalachian families - the people who know how much you have to love the mountains to make a living there. And to the men and women of the Blue Ridge Parkway - who help the rest of us appreciate why it's worth the effort.

It shows the author's love, and indeed respect, for the region he so ably writes about.

As a guide, the book features 72 maps, the great majority of them, 68 by my count, being detailed topographic maps that will satisfy even the most serious hikers. The author has included a topo map for virtually every hike, something that is fairly unprecedented in this book genre. I've never understood how you can have a trail guide that expects people to read a trail description without a map to look at. The book also includes lots of good photos.

I appreciate the fact that the author provides broad cultural, geographic and historical overviews aimed not only at educating the reader about the region but also at explaining how to craft a hike to match the hiker's interests.

The mileage log in the rear of the book also provides travel information and observations that make this back-of-book section almost worthy of a separate guidebook itself.

Moreover, the author not only covers trails along the Parkway but also trails near the Parkway. The summit of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the Eastern United States, for example, is five miles off the Parkway, but thankfully the author covers the beautiful trails there. The book also includes the region's only truly urban hike, Asheville's Urban Trail.

Between the book's overall introduction, its maps and photos, and the travel-oriented introductions to the different sections of the Parkway, this book truly lives up to the claim in the book's subtitle, "The Ultimate Guide to America's Most Popular Scenic Roadway."

No wonder best-selling author Robert Morgan, who hails from this region, and Blue Ridge Parkway author Harley Jolley, both quoted on the cover, say this is the guide book to buy. If I had been able, I would have given this book six stars.

I Saw God Dancing: Poems (Dreamseeker Poetry Series)
This salty sweet collection will both lift your heart and break it -- often in the same poem. Cheryl Denise writes with passion, wry humor, and occasionally, justifiable anger, of her responses to life's experiences. By inviting the reader to share, just for a moment, in her joy, her pain, and even her bewilderment, she opens a window into a heart filled with wisdom beyond her years. Be sure to take your time with "My People", "My Name is Ruth", "Baby Sister", and "Close to the door". Cheryl Denise is a reflective poet who I hope to hear much more from in the years ahead.

Cheryl Denise has a unique ability to say a lot with few words. Many insights into human nature from a Mennonite upbringing. Tersely cogent ... Powerfully emotional.

This is truly a wonderful collection of poetry! Cheryl Denise has a gift for voicing profound thoughts through concise, accessible language. These poems address core human values and issues--among them, relationships, family traditions, acceptance, temptation, and spirituality. Personal favorites include "They'll," "God and Farmers," and "Motherhood." I highly recommend this book to both seasoned readers of poetry and newcomers.

I love this poetry book. It is understandable, earthy, spiritual, and real! If you enjoy poetry; actually, even if you only slightly enjoy poetry, you will love this book. Some of my favorites are: God and Farmers, Mother God, Mennonite Poet, Quilt Makers, Heaven and Things, and Martha's Story. I like to have extra copies at all times, to give as gifts.

Life in the colony of Virginia in the 1730's and 1740's -- the time that George Washington was growing up -- is described in lively detail with wonderful watercolor illustrations! Food, clothing, work, games, education, news, fashion, medicine and more are all brought to life for young readers.

How wonderful for children to get an idea of what kind of childhood formed the mind of our first American President.

I have several of the "If You Grew Up...." titles in my free-reading area of my sixth grade classroom. The George Washington title is one of the most-often chosen titles--probably because they are curious about our first president. This title also gives a good description of what life was like for the gentry class of Virginia in the 1740s-1760s. Students have been able to use the information to write comparison pieces about GW's life and their own. I highly recommend this title and the others in the series for both the literature and social studies classroom. Weak readers have a high interest in the subject matter; strong readers enjoy a quick read.

Although I don't have all the books in this series ("if you..."), the six that I have are so fun and interesting, that I intend to get them all asap. My three children (3-8), my husband and I LOVE them.

Outstanding look backwards in time to discover what it would have been like to grow up with George Washington. The book answers lots of questions; What kind of clothes would you wear?, What about the bathroom?, What did children do to have fun?, What would you learn in school? How did people carry their tabacco around?, Who made the laws for the colony? and many more... Loads of cheery illustrations cover the pages.

Philip Bigler's IN HONORED GLORY: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY: THE FINAL POST (0918339677, $16.95) comes from a historian and educator who covers the history and future of the Arlington National Cemetery in a new updated fourth edition survey. What is contained here is expanded coverage of ceremonial units, and the impact of modern war outcomes - including the war on terrorism - on the cemetery's institution. IN HONORED GLORY, as an insider's view and survey, makes for an important historical guide to internment and honor alike.

Arlington National Cemetery has long been a subject of interest to countless Americans. However, there has been a lack of solid information about the cemetery and its place in American history.

With this book, Mr. Bigler (a high school teacher and a former National Teacher of the Year awardee), has done justice to this fascinating subject. He has captured both the history and the spirit of this hallowed ground. He takes us from the original owners of the land and the pre-Revolutionary era through the Civil War and its transformation from a private estate, owned by Mrs. Mary Lee (the wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee), to a national cemetery, through every conflict that American has fought in since that time right up to the modern era.

Anyone with even a casual interest in American History will find this book to be one that they simply cannot put down.

Michael Robert Patterson Webmaster, Arlington National Cemetery Website http://www.arlingtoncemetery.com

Great book about the history of Arlington National Cemetery. It's a history of Arlington as well as devoting one to two pages to stories about some of the individuals that are buried there. Interesting little-known facts are in the book throughout. Truly pays respect those that rest at Arlington. Anyone going to Arlington should have this book, indispensable. RECOMMENDED.

Whether you are a history buff or looking for information on Arlington National Cemetery, this book has everything you need. From how the land was acquired to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, its hard to put the book down. You don't have to be a military veteran to enjoy this book. I am on an Honor Guard and was looking for some history...I found it in this book. It makes you realize how others paid the ultimate sacrafice for the freedom you enjoy today.

This book is great for teaching moral values through an interesting story. It keeps the reader particularly engrossed in the character detail as forces of good against evil engage on a level that is all too real. You will find Keeping Promises hard to put down.

This book is great for teaching moral values through an interesting story. It keeps the reader particularly engrossed in the character detail as forces of good against evil combat one another on a level all too real. You will find Keeping Promises hard to put down.

This is a story of a family that is torn apart by infidelity. The characters jump to life on page one and will not let you leave their world until you are finished. An incredibly super Christian fiction that shares the gospel within its storyline. A great evangelical tool for you Christians who are not as easily able to share your faith but who would like to store up "treasures in Heaven" as Jesus advised us to do. This is a great book to recommend to someone having difficulties in their marriage. The characters are so believable, you'll think the book is really written about you with the names changed to "protect the guilty"!!!

I recommend this book for any person who has marital problems, and for those who don't!
This book has it all....
Spiritual Warfare, drama, shocking twists and turns, comedy, etc.
Will make you laugh, cry and will provoke all kinds of emotions.
You will feel like you personally know the characters.
And it gives a great outline of the gospel.
Get this book for all your friends for Christmas....
I give this book a TOTAL THUMBS UP!

I owned this book for three years, and after only recently picking it up to read it, I realized what I was missing out on during that time. This is a fresh and descriptive analysis of the young Virginia generation before, during, and after the war. As one who has read dozens of books on the Civil War, it was this one more than any other that best explains how and why Virginians formed their fundamental opinions of their native state, the Southern region, and Northern industrialism during the antebellum period. Through their viewpoint that Virginia's reputation and standing in the Union was diminished during the period prior to the war, it becomes clear that the war gave these young Virginians an opportunity to improve the status of their commonwealth while cementing their place among men in their state. Though one often gets the perception through Carmichael's writing that these were overzealous, egotistical young men, their conduct in the war brings to fruition their importance in the New South.

Carmichael's writing is interesting and well-detailed with a wide variety of excellent material from both primary and secondary sources. His inclusion of statistics on the members of the last generation provides ample insight into the professions, religious affiliation, and other important data on the members of the last generation. Even more than "For Cause and Comrades" by James McPherson, this book will expose why a reluctant Virginia joined the Confederacy and explains clearly how the young Virginia generation almost pushed the South to ultimate victory.

Like most readers of history, the significant figures of the Civil War have taken on almost mythic proportions. Some times they seem almost to be gods stepped down from Mt. Olympus. In The Last Generation, Peter Carmichael manages to shed new light onto the lives, interests, and beliefs of many of the young Virginians that were so caught up in the cause of the day and in the process makes them human once more.

I found The Last Generation to be full of information that is new...at least to me. I've done my share of reading about the major characters involved in the Civil War, on both sides. Yet Carmichael seems to provide the reader with new insights on almost every page.

I also found the tables in the appendix to be full of useful and eye opening facts. Trust me, they're worth the time it takes to study them. Finally, I spent more time than usual studying the notes provided by Carmichael, a compliment of the first order.

For the casual or serious Civil War buff, The Last Generation will be a memorable read.

In his book, "The Last Generation," Peter Carmichael explores the psyche, values, goals and visions of the young caucasian men of Virginia who came into adulthood just as our nation descended into the Civil War. Born to privilege in the 1830s and early 1840s, these men were in colleges and schools across Virginia and the nation when the crisis of secession reached its apex in 1860 and 1861. Once the war started, they served as junior officers in the Army of Northern Virginia, leading their peers into combat and fighting alongside them.

The book is a generational study and an examination of Confederate nationalism in the young Virginians. Carmichael first takes us through the 1850s, a time when young Virginians worried about the future of their state and their place in it. They watched as the North increasingly distanced itself from Virginia through industrialization and internal improvements. They feared that Virginia, the home state of four of the first five U.S. presidents, was becoming moribund under the leadership of its elders, "old fogies" who lived on past glories of events such as the American Revolution and who encouraged unthinking opposition to change even at the expense of educational and economic reform.

At the same time, the young Virginians had to find a way to reconcile slavery, the system upon which they depended for their wealth and social standing, with the free labor system of the North. Some of the strongest points in Carmichael's book delineate how these men did just this. Their belief that slavery was sanctioned by the Bible as necessary because God had created races to be inherently unequal, coupled with their belief that Southerners were God's chosen people, sustained many young soldiers throughout the war. Even as it became clear in 1864 and 1865 that the war would be lost, Carmichael cites examples that show these men could not distinguish between their religious beliefs and political nationalism. To the end, many young Virginians believed that God would not allow the North to be victorious. Young Virginians sincerely believed that theirs was a unique Christian society trying to survive in a godless world. The book is careful to point out that young Virginians gave considerable thought to secession and do not fit the traditional stereotype of secondary scholars who say young Southerners were drawn to the flame of secession like boys playing with fire.

The book looks at the leadership style of young Virginians once the war started. Examples are cited of how they maintained order and discipline in the ranks, what they thought of battle and death, and how they maintained their morale through defeats. Some colorful anecdotes are also included in "The Last Generation": Jeb Stuart's thoughts on women while he was a cadet in West Point, NY; the president of Washington College and his comical attempt to control the secession frenzy sweeping his campus; the notion of body building by young Virginians in college as a way to "muscularize" and "masculinize" their Christianity.

In the final chapter of the book, Carmichael examines the fate of various members of the Last Generation who managed to survive the war. He explains how they adjusted to Reconstruction. The romanticized, "Moonlight and Magnolias" view of some ex-Confederates is contrasted with those who wished Virginia to take a new role of leadership and have the economy of the state resemble more closely that of the North.

This book contributes greatly to the discussion of why some Southerners fought the war- a question which will probably always be debated. Through diligent research and thorough explanation, Carmichael presents a new picture of a generation of Southerners of the Civil War era. His book takes into account many factors that made "The Last Generation" distinct from their Northern counterparts and from the older Virginians who preceded them. It is an important book on dispelling stereotypes of the young Confederates and in understanding the complexity of the South as a whole.

In this fascinating book, author and historian Professor Peter S. Carmichael takes a generational look a particular group of American men who fought in the Civil War, selecting 121 men who had been born in Virginia between 1830 and 1842. These men were mostly highly educated, from the slave holding class, and formed the junior officer core of the Virginia military units. These men were part of the last generation to grow up in Virginia with slavery, and the story of their journey of life is one little studied, until now.

As a fan of the works of Messrs Strauss and Howe ("Generations" and "The Fourth Turning"), I was intrigued to see another book that looked at American history with an eye to generations. The book is eminently readable, and is quite fascinating. The author does an excellent job of telling the story of the "last generation," bringing them and their experiences alive. I was interested to watch the "last generation" move through the 1850s fostering a inter-generational conflict, assume capable and pragmatic managerial control of the armies their elders led, and then move into leadership positions after the War.

In relation to the Strauss and Howe generational theory, this book focuses on a part of the Gilded Generation. Overall, I thought that the book complemented it very well, showing that side of the generation that lost the war.

So, let me just say that this is a fascinating look at a generation that lived during a fascinating time in American history, one that will captivate anyone who is interested in generations, the American Civil War, or just plain history. I loved this book and highly recommend it to you.

The book is an interesting account of the struggle for western Virginia in 1861. It follows that year's rolls of Generals McClellan and Lee; the former using the successes of the campaign to further his reputation and career, and the latter struggling to straighten out a quagmire and failing to do so.

Newell covers some of the same territory as The Glories of War: Small Battle and Early Heroes of 1861 by Charles P. Poland, Jr., a longer book which discusses the 1861 actions in eastern Virginia as well.

The counties of Virginia between Ohio and the Allegheny Mountains are the scene for the action in Newell's book. They would eventually become the state of West Virginia, one of the results of Union victories there.

The campaign for West Virginia is little-known today, eclipsed by First Manassas and subsequent battles. This book tells you how it was important and takes you to the scenes of the interesting events that happened there in 1861.

Don't let the above fool you.

For as author Newell points out so clearly and so accurately in this captivating account of the little-known Fall 1861 campaign in West Virginia, McClellan had much going for him as Lee had much against him.

For McClellan and the Union, it was McClellan's devout yet crusty subordinate, General William S. Rosecrans who deserves much of the credit for the Union victory. Rosecrans was aggressive, and he didn't hesitate whereas his boss did. Indeed, Rosecrans own career skyrocketed after his success in West Virginia, only to nose dive so quickly two years later at Chickamauga.

McClellan also had the services of General Jacob Cox of Ohio, who would later distinguish himself in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, and of the famed explorer Frederic West Lander, who at one time rivalled Fremont in his Westward explorations, but who died so suddenly after the West Virginia campaign.

Also involved was a then little-known NCO named Ambrose Bierce, whose own macabre writings, including "A Horse-Man in the Sky" and "The Mocking Bird" came directly out of his experiences serving in an Indiana regiment during the fighting in West Virginia. If you like the twist and turns of Bierce's fiction, then this non-fiction work is a must.

Also going for McClellan was the key factor of a mountain populace that was on his side.

In contrast Lee suffered from poor generals - one of them, John B. Floyd, bicked constantly with his fellow generals. Floyd, the treasonous Secretary of War in the pre-Lincoln Buchanan Administration, was in constant fear of being captured and hanged. One of the more gifted Generals, Robert Garnett, was killed early on in the retreat from Rich Mountain. Garnett's cousin, Richard, would die in Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg almost two years later.

Lee's troops suffered from poor morale - a fact not lost on the future Confederate commander, who learned from his lessons here, whereas McClellan quickly forgot his.

Of additional note is the fact that two future Presidents - Rutherford Hayes and William McKinley, served in the 24th Ohio during the West Virginia battles, while the Grandfather of George S. Patton fought with the Confederate forces.

Not only does Newell cover fresh ground, but the illustrations, particularly those at the beginning of each chapter, give the reader a "you are there" feel.

Western Virginia in 1861 was a Union dream come true and a Confederate nightmare. As both sides struggle to lean how make war, Western Virginia succeeded from the Confederate States of America. This is the story of the first campaign of the Civil War, the foundation of George B. McClellan's reputation. Facing a divided Confederate command structure, aided by William Rosecrans and operating in friendly territory Mac had all the trumps. Robert E. Lee, unable to grasp the idea that any Virginian would not follow the state's lead was slow to react. When he finally was forced to take command, it was to late and his reputation suffers for it. Granny Lee the King of spades was one of the nicer things said about him.

This well written book has maps in the right place and illustrations of the main players. An Epilogue covers how many of the characters fared during and after the war. Over all, this is an above average account of a small but important campaign.

After listening to Clayton Newell during one of his many speaking engagements I went out and purchased this book. The anaylsis of General Robert E. Lee vs. George B. McClellan is both riviting and thought provoking - cover to cover. In 1861 both sides had little in the way of experienced officers who commanded higher than the regimental level, yet these two men took up that challenge and the end results are still being debated to this day.

The author does an outstanding job in analyzing their strength's and weaknesses, along with their usage of junior officers. This analysis along with snippets of little known historical facts make this a most enjoyable book to read. Coming from a state born of this conflict, the studies within these pages hits real close to home!

Part literary criticism, part poetry, part memoir, Letters To Virginia Woolf is associate professor of literature Lisa Williams' deeply personal examination of Woolf's writings. Presented in the format of letters that Williams wrote to Woolf about modern issues and the September 11th attacks, Letters To Virginia Woolf tells of the sad end to the author's pregnancy, reflects on how Woolf's ideas of war, memory and childhood reverberate through time, and strive to know how Woolf herself must have felt. A handful of poems intersperse the brief text passages, adding their own poignant touch to the quest for understanding. Miscarriage: You must be / covered now / by moonlight, / and sleeping, / sleeping so peacefully / in starlight / sleeping / in a place where the dead / wait patiently / to become what is alive / once again.

Through letters to Virginia Woolf, whose work
she has specialized in over the last decade, Williams
discovers her own perspectives on 9/11, motherhood,
her parents' divorce, among other things. An
insightful book, where she explores the relevance of
Woolf's nonviolent philosophy, and in fact all her
beliefs, through her own life as a mother of a small
child. A very good, fast read--even if you don't know
Virginia Woolf from Tom Wolfe.

Lisa Williams is an eloquent writer whose writing style makes you want to finish the book in one sitting. I got caught up in the complicated mind of a teenager and I shared the anxiety of the same woman's desire to become a mother later in life. Ms. Williams' book is a collection of the character's life events that provoked me to reexamine my own life and emotions, especially post 9/11. It is creatively written as letters to the writer, Virginia Woolf. Even those whose are not very familiar with Woolf's work could enjoy Ms. Williams' writing. I would highly recommend this amazing piece of writing.

Few write with more honesty and lyricism about tough issues than Lisa Williams in _Letters to Virginia Woolf_. Williams faces the complexity of adolescence, divorce, childbirth, death and war with heartfelt intelligence, reminding us that struggle and loss often lead to an appreciation of life's wonder. Like Woolf who grappled with "the angel in the house" almost a century ago, Williams continues to wrestle with the luminous presence of the past as she peels back "layers of selves we outgrow but never discard." _Letters to Virginia Woolf_ guides us through this world of contradiction and offers hope for the dangerous time in which we live.

Chella Courington
Author of _Southern Girl Gone Wrong_