West Virginia Books

This book is wonderful. Very informative, well written. I would like to see more on this company.

This book is an incredible resource for a collecter. Webster's passion for thorough research is evident as he weaves stories about WDC's history into a very practical price guide. He approaches the subject as a storyteller, researcher, curator, and glassware dealer. This reminds the reader of why we get into collecting in the first place; it goes beyond the object and into how the object came to be. Webster's book teaches us about why this glassware was made and encourages us to ask similar questions about the material world around us. He strikes a fine balance between the technical, practical, and personal aspects of telling the story of the Wheeling Decorating Company. This is a most impressive debut and I hope we will see more from this fine author.

A simply incredible book. The Columbia educated son of Blair Mountain hero Bill Blizzard wrote this in the early 1950s. It sat unpublished for over half a century while professional scholars wrote about the mine war and lamented the supposed lack of material on Blair Mountain(Shogan, Savage, Corbin...). This is the real deal written while Bill Blizzard was still alive. The appendix contains pictures and copies of documents that have never been seen by the public. The author is still alive(91) and can be seen on the History Channel special: Hillbilly The Real Story

Written by the son of one of the leaders of the Battle of Blair Mountain, this book is the REAL story of one of the nation's historic moments. The story follows the United Mine Workers from its birth to the fights to unionize mines in Mingo County, then to the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain, the treason trial of battle leaders, their acquittal, the near death of the UMW, and finally to the rebirth of the labor unions under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
William C. Blizzard wrote the articles that make up the book in the 1940s and early 1950s, while many who figured prominently were still alive. Such a treasure of "real" history about such historic events.

Maybe I'm just biased because I love my sister so much (she is featured in this anthology) or because I'm very proud of my state, but I think this book is a great edition to any library.

By Mary Sue Kessell Rosen

Wild Sweet Notes Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry 1950-1999 is a quintessential collection that depicts the sensibilities of West Virginians to their landscape and gets the reader thinking about what matters. This book reminds me of a choral group singing loud and clear, the kind you know has no pretense. The sounds are coming straight from the heart. Such sounds resonate throughout West Virginia. Many of the poems can be sentimental or confessional, but all the writing is accessible. Therefore, this first collection has been a tough act to follow.

However, Wild Sweet Notes II has an entirely different feel but is equally pleasing. "New voices" are striking thus creating a literary democracy in West Virginia. Both books tell me there are plenty of `serious' poets in West Virginia. Among the contributors in Wild Sweet Notes II are those with impressive academic credentials as many have had careers in education and/or are currently serving on college faculties. Other professions such as law and medicine are also represented, but in general, academic institutions are well positioned in this collection, including Marshall University, West Virginia State College, and West Virginia University.

The strength of Wild Sweet Notes II rests in the representation of a wide variety of forms and styles; therefore, it is an excellent reference to have in terms of understanding the expansiveness and flexibility the poetry genre offers. This collection as a whole, offers a lulling or lyrical quality, and also elusiveness. The reader can be motivated to analyze and "play" with interpretation and meaning. Elusive writing calls for re-reading and re-thinking or "critical thinking." Among the contributors, those with the rigors of academic training in writing and literature come through with clarity.

No doubt some readers who have the first edition will wish some of their favorite poets were represented in Wild Sweet Notes II. This is only natural, but the good part is that this edition celebrates more writers. For far too many years, Poet Laureates have come from the Northeast, but that is beginning to change. I sincerely think the nation is ready for a Poet Laureate from West Virginia. If Publisher's Place keeps the editions of Wild Sweet Notes coming with all new contributors for each publication, there will be well documented evidence that throughout West Virginia, there are large stakes in advancing poetry not only within the state but on a national level.

We must believe that among West Virginia's many natural resources are its gifted poets who address not only the rich heritage of the past but the needs of the present and our dreams for the future, not only for West Virginians but for people everywhere.

Bio
Mary Sue Kessell Rosen is on the writing faculty at The New School, New York City, and on the governing board at Pen and Brush, Inc. in New York City. She has authored a poetry book and contributes to small press publications. She was born and raised in Charleston, W.V., and is proud of her West Virginia roots.

I have been very happy with this field guide. I do not consider myself very strong with plant identification; however this manual is easy enough for the amateurs to use (like myself) while satisfying veterans of the botany world. Also you will receive a great bang for your dollar. Enjoy!!

The book came earlier than I expected and was a major help with the class that I am taking. It was reasonably priced especially since it was brand new. Thank you for the fast service and excellent product.

I was answering a question on askville and came across this cookbook. I had put it away and now am thankful that I came across it again. The recipes are all homecooking, not too difficult, even for the beginner.One section, that I really like, has great recipes for things like Apple Butter, Pickled Cabbage, a great Raisin sauce. This cookbook was given to me by my mother-in-law. I had best give her a call and thank her again.

This is an excellent book for students who are in, or who plan to enter AP US History. It's also excellent for History lovers.

After The Smoke Clears: Struggling To Get By in Rustbelt America by Steve Mellon (a journalist and staff photographer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) is an informed and moving chronicle of the rise and fall of the steel and mining industry in America. A tale of the communities surrounding the employment bounty of the steel mills, and the struggle to survive when the closure of this employment bounty left a void in people's ability to support themselves, After The Smoke Clears is a compelling and highly recommended saga of twentieth-century American history enhanced with black-and-white photography.

Hard to find this one. I have looked through it and have been trying to find one ever since, but no one seems to want to give their copy up. Nice photos and comprehensive information.

This Book Talks about Anne Bailey's life. This really fantastic book would tell you about Anne Bailey's fantastic poems. This book is in order and the story talk's about when Anne Bailey was a little baby. Anne Bailey was interested in the early history.
We don't know when Anne Bailey was born but we do no the year she was born which is 1742.
The most interesting thing I read in this story was Anne Bailey's fantastic poems. The best part was when she wrote " All Day she braved the forest dark, at night her bed the branches stark, Nor quailed at e'en the wolf's wild bark."
I think students and teachers should read this book because Anne Bailey's poems are so fantastic.

Whether you are a slight fan or an avid fan of trains and railroads, you don't want to miss this book! It is very well written and the pictures are great! Bob Withers is one of the best writers ever.
S. Smith, Ravenswood, WV