West Virginia Books

This book will make you look at your Appalachian surroundings like you never have before. With some information about the broad mountain vistas(forest canopy, common large animal species, etc), this book specializes on intimate looks at the amazing flora and fauna details of the woods (Jack in the Pulpits, wild Orchids, Salamanders, Fireflies, etc.) It is an interesting and itriguing study of Appalachian ecology. This isn't a textbook, but it does involve a bit of scientific jargon, some detailed scientific concepts, and a rather impressive vocabulary. However, each chapter is a short vinette and the author is careful to summarize major themes in the final paragraph of each story. You are gaureeted to take away some new concept and to look at the world around you a bit more carefully.

After reading this book, I had a new appreciation for the Appalachian ecosystem. Every tree, every bird, every insect holds secrets of its adaptation within this ecosystem. Every chapter of this book summarizes studies pertaining to a topic, such as the politics of mixed-species bird flocks or the demographics of box turtles. Everyone who lives in, visits, or conducts business in the Appalachian system should read this book.

An amazing book. I couldn't put it down. Travel into remote areas of Appalachia with a country doctor who responds to the needs of people lacking running water, sanitation and basic health care. This doctor is sensitive, perceptive and learns from his patients who suffer from an array of common and uncommon afflictions. We should all be lucky enough to have a doctor like James Banks.

Without a doubt one of the most connecting books on West Virginia I have read. I was born and raised in Beaver, often a patient of Dr. Banks. The names and locations in his book are so easily recalled, along with the faces and memories of them.
For anyone from that area east of Beckley along New River and the Flat Top mountain area..a plus reading. I have purchased 10 to pass to family and friends as well as to my children.

I haven't actually read this book, but I'm leaving a review in response to a review. As a Marshall fan, I find the irony in the fact that WE "can't read" but an obvious WVU fan gave this book 5 STARS, then basically said illiterate Marshall fans love it. Classic! :) I will now purchase the book simply because of the 5 out of 5 review it just received.

Marshall grads can't read. And considering that only they would find this book enjoyable, it seems as if a lot of time was waisted.

By reading the brief introduction one gains insight into the struggle that Terry Lowry and Stan Cohen endured during their research for this work. Had it not for their intro the reader might have come away believing poor quality reproductions were used in compiling data for this book. Many of the items used in this work were from private collections, some of which were too expensive or not open for publication by the authors. Given the cost of reproduction these days, mirrored with the advanced age of the material used, both authors have come together to put fort an excellent work involving the war in West Virginia.

Even though some of the images are fuzzy the presentation of the material lends itself as a valuable resource for the modern day historian. The book reads well and is actually quite durable for a paperback. It's traveled back and forth from home to Antietam National Battlefield, more specifically Bloody lane, and has stood the test of traversing the fields.
From "Secession" to "Carrying on the Memories" the book flows smoothly through the various transitions of the newly formed state, giving the reader an excellent account of the turmoil of becoming a state. Many actions in regards to statehood via images, sketches and maps are now seen in print for the first time.

With over 450 photographs, drawings, maps and images this book will fill the bill for many West Virginia historians. The authors even note that more material has been unearthed so the possibility remains for a Volume II on West Virginia. As it stands, this is a well-written and researched work on West Virginia and the authors have done a beautiful job in putting the material together in such an interesting manner. Whether you hail from West Virginia or California this book has interesting snippets involving the Civil War for everyone. I highly recommend this book to fellow enthusiasts and civil war Buffs alike.

This interesting volume contains hundreds of images of West Virginia made during the time of the Civil War, and includes photographs, sketches made by soldiers, hand-drawn maps of battle fields and camps, and drawings that originally appeared in newspapers of the day. The book does not try to give a history of the war in the state, but rather arranges material by type of image: photographs, soldier art, civilian art, newspaper sketches, and broadsides. Some of the most intriguing items include the hand-drawn maps already mentioned (one by future President Rutherford B. Hayes), the lithographs of Corp. John Nep Roesler, and, of course, the many different photographs of everything from natural landmarks (Hawk's Nest) to regimental poses to towns and locations (Gauley Bridge, Harper's Ferry). There is not a lot of text other than captions accompanying the images, although there are some lengthy official documents thrown in. One particularly useful inclusion is a listing of all the battles, engagements, and skirmishes that took place in West Virginia during the war. Not an absolutely essential book to have in one's Civil War library, but what it does, it does well and in an interesting manner.

The history of Kodak photography and Kodak's advertising, which influenced American culture and the arts, is revealed in Kodak and the Lens of Nostalgia, a survey of the Kodak campaign to make photography a part of daily American life. Included are unused campaigns never published, in this fascinating survey of Kodak's ad history.

As a student of Professor West's at the University of Missouri-Columbia, I was excited to read her work after enjoying her as a teacher. With "Kodak," she has meticulously reconstructed the campaigns used by Kodak throughout the late 1800s to mid 1900s. Initially, snapshots were seen as a means of leisure. Towards the early 1900s, however, Kodak's advertising scheme shifted the emphasis towards nostalgia and preservation of memories (more specifically, familial). Kodak even went so far as to use their advertising for propaganda (see "The Death Campaign"). All of this and more is included with beautiful illustrations. The book is a fascinating read, one that will provide a true sense of Americana through the ever-changing Kodak lense.

The information in this book allowed me to correct a very painful
condition and restore my mobility. What started out as a minor twinge in my low back turned into a serious problem because I thought that I could work out what I thought was a muscle cramp by walking without giving in to the discomfort. This was a big mistake as it resulted in the Psoas and Rectus Femoris muscles on one side becoming very painful and caused a sacral shear condition. This gave new meaning to my concept of pain. At this point I finally sought help from medical professionals. The sacral shear condition kept recurring until the muscle spasm was corrected, so I made multiple visits to a chiropractor and a DO. Once the muscle spasm was cleared up I was left with the original symptom. The medical professionals stated that I just had low back pain and there was nothing they could do to correct it. My fear was that if I walked any further than about 200 feet, the muscles would go into spasm again. In an effort to avoid such a severe limitation to my mobility I searched the Internet for information. In that search I had the good fortune to discover Dr Essig-Beatty's book - Manipulation at Home. The sacroiliac mobilization exercise that he describes in his book cleared up the original symptom and I have not had any muscle or joint related trouble since then. I returned to the state where I could walk for hours at a time without any discomfort. I also found some of the other stretches in his book helpful in maintaining my flexibility. The spirit of this book is a major departure from the approach to medical care that I have experienced up until now. It encourages people to actively participate in treating their condition based on structural evaluation and supervision of a professional. Prior to this experience I had no knowledge of any type of anatomy or bodywork. Getting to the point where I understood what was causing my low back pain and had learned enough to get rid of it took a great deal of time and energy devoted to research. I'm sure that I am not the only consumer of medical services who would really appreciate receiving the kind of self help information that is in this book but tailored to my needs from medical professionals.

I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, causing heal pain. My foot doctor prescribed orthodics, but little else. Then, I found this wonderful book where I could heal the problem, and work on preventing, at home! much cheaper and less painful than just repeated cortisone shots. I later also used it to solve my "golfer's elbow" pain from forehand tennis, or just pushing heavy drawers closed. It is like having a physical therapist on your shelf! Written so well, clear, easy to follow, with great explanatory illustrations. Get it!
Thank you Dr. Essig-Beatty.

Prof. Howard Seeman, Professor Emeritus, Education

The story of the Monongah Mine Disaster written by Davitt McAteer honors the memory of the men and women whom helped to build this country with the sweat, blood and tears of their years of toil. McAteer takes the reader through the background of not only the mine disaster itself but also through the historically important moments that led up to and through the time period of 1907. These moments cascade upon the reader as they experience the events through the actual recollections of the miners themselves.
McAteer has done a wonderful job of combining the exacting details of the day while pulling the reader into the very lives of the miners and the industrialist that had such a cause and effect relationship. This volatile relationship of the American Miner and their counterpart; the Industrialist, has lasted throughout today.

As the tragedy of that fateful December day unfolds the reader can not help but see and fully understand how the countries desire for growth, driven by the reckless push for forward progress, was destined to collide in a very tragic tragic accident.

Brien Jones-Lantzy

On 6 December 1907, an explosion in the Fairmont Coal Company's Mines 6 & 8 in Monongah, Marion County, West Virginia, killed 500+ miners. This is a detailed study of that disaster. Before I actually put these words to paper, I was somewhat negative about Monongah, but for the wrong reasons. That would have been pretty stupid on my part, and would have placed form over substance. (Also, it would have run afoul of TR's comments about it not being the critic who counts, but that the credit belongs to the one "who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly . . .".) The author, Davitt McAteer, is a native of Fairmont (right up the road from Monongah) who now practices law in Shepherdstown. (His sister is a friend and very gracious lady.) He served honorably as the head of MSHA during the Clinton Administration. Having come out of the United Mine Workers of America, he was less than the darling of the coal operators while in government. (The owner of the Crandall Canyon Mine in Utah, which collapsed killing 6 miners and and 3 rescuers in 2007, spoke of McAteer with fluent contempt in a press conference broadcast on CNN.)
To grade this book, we have to grade several subjects:
Research/Scholarship - A
Organization - B+
Editing - D
Overall Value - A+
McAteer researched Monongah for 30 years. (If he plans to match the output of a Michener, he needs to move a little quicker.) The length and depth of the research shows. Nearly all of the sources are primary ones, and the book is extensively end-noted. McAteer's writing isn't Michener, but particularly when he is talking about people, and how people lived, he does so with passion and such unusual detail that one can clearly see the images. The descriptions of the miners' poverty in the squalor of company houses are so real that they are painful. The organization is a touch chaotic, but I might be unfair about that one. McAteer is covering a single large event which had several coherent lines of development going at once, so a strict chronology is impossible. At times, the book is redundant, but that's really more of an editing problem.
Ah, editing. Monongah is the unfortunate victim of inadequate, even inept editing, so much so that it takes willing suspension of disbelief to get past that to the value of the work. Whoever edited this used spell-check but didn't read the manuscript itself very closely. There are several instances where homonyms or similar words are confused ("to" rather than "too", "road" rather than "roar", "Triangle Shirt Waste Factory" rather than "Triangle Shirt Waist . . ."), poor grammar (" . . . they were paid a hourly wages") and some silly factual mistakes. (West Virginia was formed in 1863, not 1865; the hotel in Wheeling is McClure House, not McLure House; President Taft's Christian names were "William Howard," not "Howard A.") For 30 bucks, more attention should have been paid to the details. There are also errors that I'm probably too petty in noticing that wouldn't distract any reader save one who has walked the ground where the disaster happened. (I've been there many times, and every time I go to my father-in-law's house, I park on the streetcar right-of-way that figures prominently in McAteer's account.) McAteer isn't heavy on historical interpretation (an attitude that I heartily approve of), and most of what he does sounds reasonable to me. (I think he misses the point of Theodore Roosevelt's intervention in the 1902 Anthracite Strike, but that's subject to honest disagreement.) SO, overall, if you set aside my own literary/grammatical fastidiousness, Monongah is an engaging and timely look at an important event and a turbulent time in our nation's industrial and social history.
There is a children's book (The Monongah Mining Disaster, by Jason Skog) due to be published in January 2008. It will be interesting to see what view that author presents to youngsters.

Like the previous reviewer, I too am a descendant (grandchild) of the Spanish immigrants of the Simpson, Harrison, West Virginia area. This book was well-written and very informative.
Any descendants of the Spanish zinc workers want to form an e-mail group, and possibly a reunion? Contact me at ctjedda@yahoo.com

I have to admit, the reason I loved this book is because my grandparents came from Spain and actually lived and worked in this this very same town that Mr. Gonzalez described. In fact, they were probably neighbors. This book allowed me to get a glimpse into what life was like for my grandparents in the early 1900s.

The story is fairly well written and probably would appeal to people simply interested in the history of various minorities in the US.

Once again the author has put together a fantastic tour book that contains all of the highlights of the area in one easy to follow guide. I own several of this series and have not been disapointed in any of them. Very well written, accurate and complete. I have been studying the Shenandoah Valley history for about 18 months. This books is a detailed summary of all that I have been able to find in that time. I wish it would have been available when I started my research, it would have saved me much time!

We just returned from a driving trip through the Shenandoah Valley. Picked up this guidebook in New York City before we left. It was perfect. All the recommendations for things to see and restaurants were just as described. Driving directions were also good. Based on the author's recommendation, we decided to stay at the Long Hill Bed and Breakfast in Winchester, VA and it turned out to be the highlight of our trip. A very worthwhile travel guide.

Baumler is an interpretive historian for the Montana Historical Society, and she brings her professional credentials and storytelling ability to create what has become a very popular book here in Montana. Baumler travels around the state, and people tell her their stories, which she takes further through historical research. The sites covered in "Spirit Tailings" include:

Virginia City: Tollhouse ruins in Meadow Valley; Boot Hill and Hillside Cemeteries; House on Cover Street; Elling House; Bonanza House and Bonanza Inn; Episcopal Church; Lightning Splitter (house); Bennett House Country Inn; Gohn House.

Nevada City (only a few miles from Virginia City): Cabin #5; Nevada City Hotel

Butte: The underground mines; Anaconda Hill; Speculator Mine/Granite Mountain shaft; Quartz Street Fire Station (now Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives); Metals Bank Building; Butte-Silver Bow County Courthouse and Jail; Forsythe house; Maury house; Dumas Hotel/Brothel; East 2nd Street house

Helena: Grassy slope near Public Library (story of John Denn); Robinson Park/Sixth Ward Old Catholic Cemetery; Mamie's Bells (Cathedral; Resurrection Cemetery; Zastrow House; Lenox Addition house; Pioneer Cabin and Reeder's Alley; 10th Avenue rowhouse; Grandstreet Theater; Tatem House; Montana Club and Rathskeller; and even Baumler's own home in Helena has had paranormal happenings!

A great collection of Montana stories, not to be missed!

Spirit Tailings recounts tales of hauntings in three of Montana's mining towns. The author, a historical researcher, has done considerable investigation into the background of the hauntings. Not content with legend, she has sought out present-day witnesses wherever possible, and also recounts her own eerie experiences in some of the buildings. Well-written and at times absolutely chilling!