Compiled and edited by Emily Foster, American Grit: A Woman's Letters From The Ohio Frontier is an inherently fascinating collection of correspondence from the first half of the nineteenth century, written by Anna Briggs Bentley, a devout Quaker wife determined not to lose contact with her mother and sister. Filled with emotion, a willingness to work, love for her family and her many children, and a great deal more, American Grit provides contemporary readers with a compelling and enjoyable look through a kind of "window of time" at daily life in rugged terrain. A fine work enhanced with brief annotations for clarity, American Grit is very highly recommended for Women's Studies and American History Studies collections and reading lists.

Ancient Monuments (more familiarly known as "Squire and Davis") is the undisputed primary reference source on Indian mounds in the eastern US till the mid-1800s. While there were a few others (such as Caleb Atwater's book), Squire and Davis offers the grandest illustrations of what remained of the unbelievable civilizations that inhabited this continent. Even as they published in 1848, hundreds of mounds were being plowed into oblivion; so few are still extant that theirs is the only guide to what was lost. The text is enjoyable on many levels, and can be forgiven for any lapses of scientific accuracy. They trekked over Ohio at a time when we weren't even sure who made the mounds, so everything they recorded is gold. The engineering prowess, the sheer magnificence and scale of some of the works, is astounding.

This was the first one of Peggy Darty's books I read, and I loved it! The main reason I liked it was besides being a very well written Christian romance novel, it was set near, and had scenes in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, my favorite area. The main character, Laurel, is a school teacher, who during her summer vacation tutors a rich girl who is spending her school break at her family's summer home. Laurel subsequently meets and falls in love with her student's brother, despite several obstacles that fall in their way. (Including his annoying mother.) I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone!

"At home in either the latest fashions of the day or the greasy buckskins of a mountain trapper...within four years of first entering Santa Fe he had become a Mexican citizen, married the governor's daughter and been granted the right to control trade in what would someday become western Colorado and eastern Utah." "...the original which was a collection of log buildings with dirt roofs surrounded by a flimsy perimeter fence of wooded pickets." With these descriptions of Antoine Robidoux and Fort Uncompahgre historian and author Ken Reyher sets the stage for a remarkable journey in the history of the pioneer fur trapper Antoine Roibidoux. This is a remarkable book. While the literature is replete with stories of miners and settlers of western Colorado there is scant information on the life and times of a fur trapper that inhabited the area before the moners, ranchers, and settlers. Reyher has corrected this oversight in a historically factual manner that is a delight to read. Robidoux was a most remarkable man. He was a charmer, visionary astute businessman, politician, and accomplished mountain man. He is described as a paradox in that he could mingle with the high society,French or Mexican, of Santa Fe but was equally at home in a pair of greasy buckskings leading a trapping party or playing cards with Ute Indians. He was the first white man to expand trade routes north from Santa Fe, ultimately establishing three commercial trading posts in what is now western Colorado and eastern Utah. Fort Uncompahgre was the first such post established, in 1828. Reyher not only has written an excellent history of Robidoux and his forts be he includes a section on the present day Fort Uncompahgre. The city of Delta, CO, has reconstructed the fort into a living history museum open to the public. This is the only one of Robidoux's three forts to receive such treatment. It is quite a feat considering the exact location of the fort is unknown. It is generally believed by historians that the original fort was located some two miles below the confluence of what is now the Uncompahgre and Gunnison rivers. Even late 20th century excavation work has failed to conslusively locate the site. Many of the artifacts located in such searches could have belonged to mountain men, fur trappers, and indians and discarded at camp sites. Any one could have been part of the original Fort. The book is a must read for those interested in the history of the opening of trade routes in present day western Colorado and eastern Utah and the development of such trade by those true pioneers, mountain men and trappers. The descriptions of daily life in the early 1800's and the impact of the declinging beaver trade are historically factual and, combined withe the fascinating history of Robidoux and his trading posts, make the book required reading and a welcome, and necessary, addition to any well stocked library.

Having lived in the county and worked as a community organizer while George was completing his work in Little Laurel, I can vouch for the accuracy and sensitivity of his account. For years I used the original edition in my courses in Appalachian Social institutions and identified it as the single best community study on the Region. Particularly helpful is the chapter on the "ethic of neutrality" which not only provides insight to students and "outsiders" but also to native Appalachians who wish to reflect on their own culture. Glad to see it back in print!

This is a wonderful book. The first time I read it, I was very impressed. It is very well written and beautifully illustrated. Once I finished the read, it felt more like having seen a movie, than having read a book.

Over the last 10 years or so, I have made many trips to the Wallowas (this is where the story takes place), and have come to love the natural diversity of the area and the independent nature of the people that live there.

One day I was in a local Wallowa area bookstore, looking for items on local history and found this book. I read it and the story touched my heart - so much so, that over the past several years, I've bought at least 6 copies to give to friends and relatives.

Several months after reading the book, I was on a deer hunt in the Wallowas with my son. I was focused on finding a way to a remote high bluff overlooking a wild river valley. It had been a long and difficult 4wd ride over bad terrain, and at some point in checking my maps, I realized I was about to cross the "Cat's Back".

Traveling through the area, I remembered reading the book and realized that this was where the story took place. I recognized important locations from the paintings, photos, and well written prose contained in the book.

The beautiful illustrations accurately reflect the natural beauty and ruggedness of the area. It did not take much imagination to envision the hardships this small family faced, and it was also easy to understand why they may have wanted to call this place home.

Thinking back, in my minds eye, I could see little Caroline leaning into the wind - straining to hear the music ...

There's no need to go out there though - you can just buy the book.

Can't recommend it enough.

If you want to know where the water flows in Massachusetts, this is the book. It shows the major river systems throughout the state and the significant tributaries within them. Although it was probably intended for environmental study, it could be very useful to canoeist and kayakers. A rating system describes the smoothness and scenic attractiveness of many navigable rivers, as well as showing the locations of dams.

After reading Jim Vesely's first book in the Rio Grande trilogy, I could barely wait to start on the second book, "The Awakening Land". This second novel was just as engaging as the first. It continued the story of the Indian dwellers of the Rio Grande Valley and also added the historical and cultural conflicts that resulted when the Spanish, migrating Northward from Mexico, claimed New Mexico as Spanish territory. The struggle to maintain tradition and identity is often sad and painful but it is a story that needed to be told. Later settlers, of French origin, add to the intrigue and cultural flavor of the Rio Grande Valley. I just finished reading this novel and have already placed my order for book 3, "Shadows on the Land". I know that it, too, will entertain and enlighten.

This was one of the best books I have ever read! Even though it was a little old it was great. I think I liked it even more because it was true and I had been to the places described and could follow it on the map. This was a great book that I would read over again and again!

This is a wonderful little time capsule. Originally published in 1965, the story of Mordecai Jones, also known as "the flim-flam man," and Curley Treadway is an episodic tale filled with the local color of eastern North Carolina 40 years ago. Back then, the eastern part of the state was a rural poor man's land without speedy highways, dependent upon tobacco for its economy. This episodic tale recounts the adventures of young Curley who went AWOL from the military and meets up with Mr. Jones as he is thrown from a train. Being the obliging sort, Curley pulls Jones' head out of a puddle, saving his life, and thus sets up the friendship that creates havoc throughout the eastern part of the state. The cons they pull off are all great fun from selling punchboards, gambling, stealing chickens, playing guitar, and even substituting for the revival minister when it's time to pass the hat. They steal a truck full of liquor from moonshiner Dooley, and proceed to drive that truck all over the East dispensing good spirits wherever they go. Near the end, Curley crashes the truck right into a church, appropriately enough, setting up the final climax of the book. Like all good partnerships, this one is tested by the love of a pretty girl, Miss Bonnie Lee, who takes Curley's heart faster than you can say "jackrabbit." Some of the language remembers the old South as blacks are referred to as "coloreds." Given the time frame, it seems to fit, despite how it might currently be received. Owen certainly knows his local references and gives the flavor of this area. It's good fun, a pretty quick read. Seek & enjoy!