Leland R. CooperThe People of the New River: Oral Histories from the Ashe, Alleghany and Watauga Counties of North Carolina (Contributions to Southern Appalachian Studies, 5)

Often storytelling compilations can feel diluted in their brevity or repetitive if regional. This book is full of stories that are genuine visits with the real people who live there. I bought it for my 85 year old mother who grew up there and lives there now. She knew a few of of the contributors and of course knows the area covered very well, and found it all authentic and interesting. Mom said it helped her to know her home in a new way. I am our family's historian and have found the book very enriching for my studies. It is as if you are sitting on the front porch or in the front "parlor" visiting with family over a glass of tea. Now, we're looking for Volume 2, but please....from the same area! We want more!

Great book

A great resource for our family history.