David Whisnant coined the term the "politics of culture." He provides an application of a theory of "systemic cultural intervention" in this book. Essentially, Whisnant argues that cultural intervention is a process in which specialists work to create change in a community. He looks at ways that positive interventions can bring about positive as well as negative effects. He also provides ways to examine how cultural intervention can be developed for negative purposes. Whisnant is a folklorist, and he examines how wealthy northerners went to Appalachia to promopte folklife programming in settlement schools and festivals. The book is very useful for examining how outside interventionists need to understand the culture and political dynamics in communities that they enter. At times, however, there is a degree of cynicism in Whisnant's writing that seems to emerge from a nativist stance by Whisnant himself. The lines he draws between "outsider" and "insider" are too neat and rigid, and the analysis would be improved by recognition that the case histories that he examines had far more complex issues at stake. Nevertheless, I highly recommend reading this work to understand fascinating aspects of Appalachian history and to consider ways to work more effectively in contemporary communities.

This book has some great black and white pictures of people playing our favorite instrument. If you like tradtional tunes, the history and myth surrounding the Appalachian dulcimer, and great photos of the old-time players, you'll enjoy this book. Included is a great short story published in a turn-of-the-centure magazine featuring the dulcimer. All in all, it is a good read.

I bought this book in 1972 while on vacation in the Smokies, and it introduced me to the sport of backpacking as well as to the Appalachain Trail. Info is now very dated but it was an extremely good guide in '72. This book gives a pretty good introduction to backpacking equipment (of that time) & techniques for the novice, as well as a day-to-day journal of Mr. Garvey's hike. Very well written, very entertaining. Am surprised and delighted to see he is still going stong 25 years later. I've wanted to say this for 25 years: Thank you, Mr. Garvey!

"Appalachian Paradise" can be read as a romance novel or as a novel of self-discovery. Suzanne Bowers is a woman of the 21st century - choosing the pressures of an intense professional world over the stereotypical female societal roles. As a result of her high-pressure job, Suzanne is a bit more concerned with organization and efficiency than her therapist thinks is healthy; Suzanne is told that she needs to "get away."

Taking her therapist's advice, Suzanne decides to take a solo hike through the Appalachian mountains in an attempt to de-stress and center herself. Heading for her uncle's cabin in North Carolina, Suzanne is ready for her vacation. However, although Suzanne is willing to get away from the city, she's not willing to leave behind her world of schedules and to-do lists; her vacation has been carefully orchestrated. But, as with most plans, Suzanne's soon go awry.

Unbeknownst to Suzanne, her uncle and estranged father have arranged for Wes Avery, a handsome, intelligent businessman with an outdoorsy side, to be a "guide" to keep the city gal safe in the Appalachian wilderness. And, with Wes by her side, Suzanne learns how to relax, laugh, love, and just be herself - without her day planner. In the end, Suzanne's journey goes much further than her hiking destinations, and the resulting story captures the tranquility and beauty of the North Carolina mountains as well as the intricacies of the human heart.

Photographers: note the photos, and the stark parallel images of trees versus factory stacks. They make the point of the entire book in dramatic thought-provoking images that make you want to go out and stop every smoke-producer in the world.

Between the endpaper pen-and-ink drawings of wild turkeys is a sumptuous introduction to the Appalachian Trail that was produced by the National Geographic Society in 1972. The Appalachian Trail was the idea of Benton MacKaye, and we are treated to his story of the beginning of the Trail in the Foreward to this book which he wrote.

Ronald Fisher, the author, travelled parts of the Trail starting in Georgia and ending in Maine over a six month period. His companions were Dick Durrance, a National Geographic photographer, and his wife Jill. They sampled "interesting portions" of the Trail and also explored the surrounding coutryside. So the book is not only an introduction to the Apppalachian trail, but also a splendid photographic essay of the eastern states as they were over 30 years ago. All this is done with color photos reminiscent of the National Geographic magazine, a wonderful text by the author, and eight two-page color maps of the trail.

The format is pretty formal. Each of the eight chapters covers a different geographic area and consists of eight pages of text, ten pages of color photos and a two-page map. The text ends with a one page Epilogue entitled "Before You Hike..." This provides some basic advice on getting started on your own exploration of the Trail. A three page Index and a list of Additional Readings completes the volume.

This is a wonderful, brief, and colorful introduction to the Appalachian Trail. Being more than 30 years old, I would suggest getting some more up-to-date resource guide before you start hiking. Yet for the armchair traveller, this is a delightful place to start.

The "Appalachian Trail Guide to Maryland and Northern Virginia" is an excellent companion to hikers on the appalacian trial. The guide details, step by step, the trail and what to expect on it. It gives detail descriptions of where/where not to camp, water supplies, and distances between points. If you are setting out on the trail...take the guide with you. It'll be your best friend.

This is the perfect book for those of us who have good intentions of someday making the 2000-mile trek from Georgia to Maine ... but will never really get around to it. Emblidge dovetails selections by well-known naturalists and writers with those of AT through- and dayhikers to create a unique collection of observations. Some, like Thoreau, found themselves in the neighborhood of the path before it was even created. You can follow the history of the trail, beginning with Benton MacKaye's first written public proposal in 1921. Then the pieces mark an imaginary trip north from Springer Mountain to Mount Katahdin. Simple maps and b&w photos are included. It's not Bill Bryson's _A Walk in the Woods_, but then, what is? This is still an easy summer read.

I am planning a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail and found this book very helpful. It gives all the information needed for mail drops,supply stops,shelters and towns along the way from Georgia to Maine. It is organized state by state and is in a handy spiral bound booklet. It is a useful guide for a thru-hike or just a couple of days on the trail. I gave 4 stars because there could be more maps. Otherwise a very useful guide.