Just learned of this book series that seems to be quite popular. Here is a link to the publisher for anyone not familiar with the book series. If you are familiar with the books I’d like to hear your opinion.
My grandmother had them growing up. I have newer copies now. I’ve only read the first one, though. I enjoyed it and it has a lot of good info.
“I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.” -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers.
Posts: 25 | Location: Gulf Coast Region | Registered: October 10, 2020
Did you hear about them on tonight’s edition of Tactical Rifleman being live streamed? I heard him referring to them.
quote:
Originally posted by Jimineer: Just learned of this book series that seems to be quite popular. Here is a link to the publisher for anyone not familiar with the book series. If you are familiar with the books I’d like to hear your opinion.
We have been trying to put a full set together for years of vintage ones. Been a fan since my hippy, Mother Earth news farmsteader, back to the land youth.
__________________________ Writing the next chapter that I've been looking forward to.
I read a series of 5 or 6 back in the early 1980s.
I was convinced most of it was possible to learn & homestead yourself.
Until a few years ago they remained in our permanent collection.
**************~~~~~~~~~~ "I've been on this rock too long to bother with these liars any more." ~SIGforum advisor~ "When the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change, then change will come."~~sigmonkey
Originally posted by dry-fly: Did you hear about them on tonight’s edition of Tactical Rifleman being live streamed? I heard him referring to them.
quote:
Originally posted by Jimineer: Just learned of this book series that seems to be quite popular. Here is a link to the publisher for anyone not familiar with the book series. If you are familiar with the books I’d like to hear your opinion.
Yes, I read all of them years ago. I enjoyed them from several different perspectives - including the detailed knowledge of how the rural people survived during that time and the reflection of the simple, but strong pride they displayed in themselves. (I remember my grandfather telling me to never attempt to destroy a poor man's pride because that is about all he owns and he will make you pay dearly for taking it from him.)
Having grown up in rural Tennessee, I had already been exposed to some of the information provided by the series. In addition, my family oral history often spoke of a great, great grandmother who was the community source for herbal medicines during her life. I guess I can somewhat relate to people in the books, albeit from quite a distance.
I have loaned the books out to my friends and acquaintances over the years. Their reactions were varied - some expressed ridicule toward the country "hillbilly" life-style. Still others felt pity towards those who lived such a "deprived" life. Several said that the books were boring because of the amateurish style of writing. As for myself, I enjoyed them tremendously because I had sampled a small amount of backwoods living in my childhood and feel that the challenges I faced made me a stronger person and a better person. I have tasted poverty, educational success, and financial success during my nearly four-score years of life. Of all my accomplishments, I value learning the art of being happy in life over any other possession and I think a lot of the people reflected in those books had achieved that same basic happiness.
I first read a few of them in high school during a history class called American Frontier. We actually built a small cabin using the tools and methods from the books. Just this past August I was in NE Georgia and went to the Foxfire museum. Worth the visit if ever in the area!
Posts: 678 | Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL | Registered: July 24, 2007
I had several of them back in the 70's in my early teens. Loved those books. I don't know what ever happened to them. Probably loaned them to others and never got them back.
Posts: 492 | Location: Greenfield, IN | Registered: December 29, 2014
I read many chapters from some of them years ago. Maybe my first deer season? Have come across collections at garage sales that were too much $, so gave up on owning my own. The wifey found a good set on Amazon and got them for my Christmas. I’ll pick and choose chapters now and again. If you enjoy historical learning (think anthropology), you’ll like em.
"The days are stacked against what we think we are." Jim Harrison
Posts: 1137 | Location: Ann Arbor | Registered: September 07, 2011
The director of Foxfire, and also the editor of the revised Cookbook, is an acquaintance of mine. he is a fellow GT grad and I see him at tailgates occasionally. Really great guy, full of interesting knowledge, and passionate about Appalachian history and folklore. He is a Clayton, GA native, I believe. If you're in that area, Black Rock Mountain State Park is really lovely and there are trails from the camping areas straight down to the Foxfire cabins.
I'm gonna vote for the funniest frog with the loudest croak on the highest log.
Posts: 10707 | Location: Marietta, GA | Registered: February 10, 2009
still have the set in a box of books from my childhood.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Live today as if it may be your last and learn today as if you will live forever
Posts: 6340 | Location: New Orleans...outside the levees, fishing in the Rigolets | Registered: October 11, 2009
