"Suncatchers" is an excellent Christian novel that is also a great witness tool! The main character learns first-hand about the Christian faith and struggles with his own non-belief. The characters were wonderfully crafted. A delightful read!

I really don't know how I happened upon this book, but I was delighted with it from the first page! As a voracious reader, I have read thousands of books in my lifetime, from Somerset Maugham to Alfred North Whitehead to Agatha Christie! Believe me, Suncatchers is so much better than most books -- Do yourself a huge favor and GET THIS BOOK. Already emailing my friends to borrow or buy a copy ASAP, I am purchasing several for gifts (and one for me!). There are very few books that cause me actual regret to finish. Suncatchers is one of them. To close the cover on such vibrant, inspiring, fascinating characters was difficult indeed. I will now get the other books by Jamie Langston Turner, and I pray that she will continue to write more!

I read a great deal of both Christian literature and Southern literature, and The Suncatchers is a winner in both categories! Turner has captured the essence of the Deep South with all of its idiosyncrasies in her portrayal of The Church of the Open Door. When Perry Warren flees a broken marriage and moves south to write an expose' of the typical fundamentalist Christian, he ends up living right next door to Eldeen Rafferty, a "poster-child" for the stereotypical Southern Christian. Perry becomes friendly with Eldeen and her family so that he will have more fodder for his book. He does not count on actually beginning to love these new friends dearly and enjoy attending church services with them. At The Church of the Open Door, its occupants, from Brother Hawthorne, the pastor who steps out of the "typical" male role to help his wife and tells his parishoners to do the same, to Joe Leonard, the shy teenager who plays the tuba for church services, and everyone in between, accept Perry unconditionally, and each manages to teach Perry a lesson about Christianity. As Perry goes through the painful process of analyzing his unusual upbringing and his failing marriage, he gradually begins to find healing and answers at The Church of the Open Door. Without a lot of preaching and testimonials, The Suncatchers manages to present such a wonderful picture of the Christian life that everyone who reads it will want to live as Eldeen and her family do. Even Perry finally realizes that this Christianity thing might have something for him as well. As a woman of the Deep South who is a born-again Christian and holds a masters degree in English (some may see these things as paradoxical), I find Turner to be on the same level with Eudora Welty. Turner captures the true spirit of the South in her charaterizations and descriptions; her Eldeen is portrayed with equal finesse of Welty's Phoenix Jackson, Sister, and Stella Rondo. I feel as if I would know Derby, S.C. and The Church of the Open Door if I visited there much as I feel I would recognize The Worn Path and Sister's P.O. The Suncatchers is undoubtedly the best book that I have ever read, and I hope that Turner will continue with her tales of Derby.

Outstanding book. this is the first book that I have read that focused on smalltown USA and the will and esprit that a town puts into a baseball team. I found the book to be extrememly inspirational and the photography was excellent. Definitely worthy of reading.....I truly enjoyed each and every page.

Through evocative and tasteful photographs, coupled seamlessly with simple yet poignant prose, this book certainly deserves the five star rating. Baldwin and Galliard have definately captured a piece of what it is that makes us human. Despite the fact that the book's focus is baseball, the real story lies in the community that fuels the small-town league. This idea of a community that relies on its members to exist is nearly lost in a society laden with technology. Somehow, the boys in Rembert, South Carolina, and their love of the game, have managed to survive. If you are interested in good photography, black history, baseball, or southern culture, then this book is truly a must have.

From its richly flavored and evocative photographs to its cleanly presented yet eloquent prose, this book is truly a must have. Thought the book may focus on baseball as subject matter, the story truly lies within the framework of the community that supports the league. This sense of community, seemingly lost in a world laden with technology, is alive and well in Rembert, South Carolina. Byron Baldwin and Frye Galliard really do capture this spirit, and use their respective talents to convey it to the reader. Whether you are interested in baseball, black history, or that spirit of community so true to "Americana", then buy this book. You will not be dissappointed.

This book will interest students of politics who wish to learn the observations of a liberal Democrat elected official who participated and observed the past three decades of the emergence of the politics of the "New South".
Harriet Keyserling retired from the South Carolina state legislature in 1992 and has produced this brilliant insightful insider account of that legislative body. A legislator who was devoted to such issues as increasing support for education and resisting nuclear waste in her state, she offers several lessons from her experiences.
Among points to ponder presented in the book are a.) alliances can be formed around agenda items that transcend political partianship, b.) be open and honest with the press and they will trust you and treat you better in the long run, c.) recognize that not all men nor all women think alike, even though men and women may approach some issues differently, and d.) all issues are women's issues and women legislators should not feel compelled to limit themselves to matters others believe primarily concern women.
The legislative infighting described in this book will interest students of South Carolina politics. Her descriptions of many South Carolina Governors as essentially cheerleaders for the Chamber of Commerce provides insights into interest groups and government. Legislative observers will appreciate learning how as much to one third to one half of South Carolina legislative sessions used to be spent engaging in fillibusters.
Rep. Keyserling is proud of her efforts to create a dedicated sales tax for education and for creating South Carolina
s Sunny Day Fun. Towards the end of her career, South Carolina politics transcended into an arena of great confrontation and tension. Disliking these changes, she left politics. Harriet Keyserling, though, has left us with her knowledge and insights in this book. Readers will appreciate her writings.

Absolutely brillant! I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Against the tide." Mrs. Keysterling held office during an interesting period in SC politics. The book provided great insight into many of the issues affecting South Carolina and the nation. I highly recommend it.

This is a marvelous and instructive memoir on Ms. Keyserling's many years in active politics in South Carolina. She battled long odds in a deeply conservative state and was able to accomplish much in her 16 years in the State Legislature. She was an early and important ally of former SC governor and current Secretary of Education Richard Riley, and was one of the leaders who helped pass the progressive educational reforms that improved that state's educational standing and performance. She overcome much to fight the 'good fight' for progressive environmental laws, energy conservation, regulation of nuclear and solid waste, and promotion of the arts. The forward is by Richard Riley and she has glowing recommendations from novelist Pat Conroy, former U.S. Senator Nacy Kassebaum Baker and columnist David Broder. She is a long time member of the League of Women Voters, and that group was very instrumental in most of her political battles. I enjoyed the book and found it useful and enlightening. JMP

_The Girl Who Ate Chicken Feet_is a collection of touching "coming of age" stories. Set in the south in the turbulent sixties, it paints a realistic picture of how one young girl gradually becomes aware of the world outside her own. Wonderful characters, lovingly drawn.

I fell in love with Sissy from the very first moment she prissed across the page. Her escapades with Deloris take me back to the days of my childhood and the relationships I formed with my own cousins.

Ms. Richardson portrays life in the rural South during the fifties with accuracy and charm, and has given her characters voices that are hauntingly authentic.

This book is a delightful read for children and adults as well.

THIS BOOK CAN BE READ BY ALL AGE GROUPS. THE CHARACTERS ARE VERY TRUE TO LIFE IN THEIR EVERYDAY ROLES. FOR ANY ONE WHO HAS SPENT TIME IN THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY DOWN SOUTH, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. I'M WAITING FOR SISSY'S UP-COMING ESCAPADES.

Much of Mac's book, including the pictures, were donated by my cousin Barbara Smith. The book was based on the letters of those who served the Third South Carolina not the least of which was Sgt. Warren Green Peterson. His visit to the old battle grounds in 1913 on his way to the Gettysburg reunion prompted a whole series of letters and stories printed in the Newbery, SC local paper. He took many pictures of places where he stood in the hot spots of so many battles from Bull Run to The Wilderness. He was wounded four times. Read his story! All we really know comes from men like him. Thanks Mac. See you at Fredricksburg. Gary PETERSON.

GREAT BOOK--PARDON THE CAPS--OLD EYES!------------------- WITH POPULAR INTEREST IN THE CIVIL WAR AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH, MANY PUBLISHERS HAVE ENTERED THE FIELD, PUTTING OUT TITLES OF VARYING QUALITY AND MERIT. OF COURSE, MANY BATTLE TTILES ARE PRINTED EACH YEAR BUT ALSO MORE AND MORE REPRINT AND "NEW" REGIMENTAL HISTORIES. THE LATTER HAVE CONTRIBUTED MOST SIGNIFICANTLY TO CIVIL WAR HISTORIOGRAPHY IN PROVIDING THE BLUE AMD GRAY ENTHUSIAST WITH MUCH MORE DETAILED AND PERSONAL INSIGHT INTO THE AMERICANS WHO MARCHED, CAMPED, FOUGHT AND DIED IN THIS FRATRICIDAL CONFLICT. ONE SUCH TITLE TO COME TO LIGHT IN RECENT YEARS IS MAC WYCKOFF'S SUPERB STUDY OF THE 3RD SOUTH CAROLINA INFANTRY--ONE OF THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS UNITS IN KERSHAW'S FAMED PALMETTO BRIGADE OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. A VETERAN NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HISTORIAN, LECTURER, AND TOUR-GUIDE, MR. WYCKOFF IS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO BRING THIS UNIT BACK TO "LIFE". HIS CAREER FROM CHICKAMAUGA-CHATTANOOGA TO FREDERICKSBURG-SPOTSYLVANIA NATIONAL MILITARY PARKS, HAS GIVEN HIM A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW THE WIDE-RANGING TRAVELS OF THESE BATTLE-HARDENED CAROLINIANS NEARLY EVERY STEP OF THEIR WAR JOURNEY. FOLLOWING UPON HIS EARLIER AND EQUALLY ACCLAIMED, "A HISTORY OF THE SECOND SOUTH CAROLINA INFANTRY: 1861--1865", MR. WYCKOFF REFINES HIS SKILLS EVEN MORE--IF POSSIBLE--IN CHRONICLING THESE VETERANS' SERVICE. THE 3RD SOUTH CAROLINA INFANTRY FOUGHT IN BOTH EASTERN AND WESTERN THEATERS, CHIEFLY AS A PART OF THE FIRST CORPS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. FROM THE VERY OUTSET, THE UNIT WAS PLUNGED INTO SOME OF THE BLOODIEST FIGHTING OF THE WAR. FROM SAVAGE'S STATION DURING THE PENINSULA CAMPAIGN, THROUGH ANTIETAM, FREDERICKSBURG, AND ONTO GETTYSBURG, THESE CAROLINIANS ALWAYS FOUND THEMSELVES IN THE THICK OF THE FRAY. BY FALL OF 1863, THE CAROLINIANS WERE BACK AT HOME IN THE DEEP SOUTH AND, AGAIN, ON MORE BLOODY FIELDS. HERE, THEY TOOK PART IN THE VICIOUS FIGHTING IN NORTH GEORGIA AND EASTERN TENNESSEE AT CHICKAMAUGA AND KNOXVILLE AS GEN. JAMES LONGSTREET ATTEMPTED TO AID BRAXTON BRAGG WEST OF THE APPALACHIANS. BY 1864, THE 3RD WAS BACK IN VIRGINIA WHERE IT PERFORMED OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN THE WILDERNESS, AT SPOTSYLVANIA, THE NORTH ANNA RIVER, AND NEAR RICHMOND. BY SUMMER, HOWEVER, THE CAROLINIANS WERE ENROUTE TO THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF WESTERN VIRGINIA TO REINFORCE JUBAL EARLY'S 'ARMY OF THE VALLEY" AGAINST PHIL SHERIDAN'S DAUNTING UNION FORCES. AFTER SOME LONG WEEKS OF MARCHING, COUNTERMARCHING, AND SKIRMISHING, THEY EVENTUALLY JOINED EARLY FOR HIS FAMOUS SURPRISE ATTACK ON SHERIDAN'S CAMPS AT CEDAR CREEK IN OCTOBER. HERE, THEY PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE BY LEADING OFF THE MORNING'S SPECTACULAR OFFENSIVE, LATER THE SAME DAY, THEY WERE EQUALLY AS SUPERLATIVE IN A REARGUARD EFFORT IN THE EVENING'S ROUT. BACK NEAR RICHMOND BY DECEMBER, THE 3RD SOON FOUND ITSELF HEADING SOUTH WITH THE NEW YEAR TO HELP IN THE DEFENSE OF THEIR NATIVE STATE AGAINST SHERMAN'S ADVANCE FROM SAVANNAH. THE REMAINING MONTHS OF THE WAR WERE SPENT RESISTING THAT ADVANCE UNSUCCESSFULLY THROUGH THE PALMETTO STATE AND INTO NORTH CAROLINA. FINALLY, WHEN THE "VITALS" OF JOE JOHNSTON'S FORCES WERE BLED DRY AT BENTONVILLE IN MARCH, 1865, THE 3RD, ALONG WITH THE REST OF THEIR BRIGADE AND THE ARMY, FINALLY LAID DOWN THEIR ARMS. IT HAD BEEN A BLOODY JOURNEY FOR THE 3RD AND MAC WYCKOFF HAS BROUGHT THE ENTIRE TALE VIVIDLY INTO PRINT, SUCCEEDING WHERE MANY MODERN-DAY UNIT CHRONICLERS FAIL. BY HIS INCREDIBLE AND FAR-RANGING RESEARCH INTO PRIMARY SOURCES, AS WELL AS HIS EXCELLENT INTERPRETATION OF THE MATERIAL, THE AUTHOR HAS MANAGED TO COMBINE A DETAILED, BATTLELINE-VIEW OF THE WAR WITH A PENETRATING PERSONAL EXAMINATION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINIANS WHO FOUGHT IT. HIS ROSTER IS SIMPLY ONE OF THE BEST GRACING THE PAGES OF ANY MODERN REGIMENTAL HISTORY TO-DATE AND ONLY ADDS "ICING" TO A WELL-DEVELOPED AND EXCITING NARRATIVE. FINE UNIT BATTLEFIELD MAPS, PHOTOS, AND INDEX CAP-OFF A DEFINITIVE EFFORT. THIS ISN'T JUST ANOTHER REGIMENTAL HISTORY--IT IS A HISTORY OF THE WAR SEEN PERSONALLY THROUGH THE EYES OF SOLDIERS FROM A DEEP SOUTH REGIMENT. A DETAILED UNIT HISTORY, YES, BUT ALSO A VERY UNIQUE STORY AT THE SAME TIME FILLED WITH FIRT-PERSON ACCOUNTS WOVEN INTO AN EXCITING TEXT. THERE ARE NOW MANY NEW REGIMENTALS, BUT THIS IS ONE OF THE VERY BEST MODERN ONES. A MASTERFUL JOB INDEED! DON'T MISS THIS CIVIL WAR GEM! THEODORE C. MAHR

My family has purchased seven copies of this text, we hope the Mr. Mac Wyckoff continues his fine efforts

A lot of fun to read. I've just finished the first chapter and I already feel like an expert on the state.

I'd definitely recommend this book for anyone wanting to know more about South Carolina. It's got all the information you could want, lots of interesting background, and on top of that, it's a joy to read. Sigalas cracks me up all through this book. Seriously, my wife came in a half-a-dozen times while I was reading to ask me why I was laughing so hard; she couldn't believe I was reading a travel book. A good read even if you're not going to S.C., and a great book to bring along if you are. It's like traveling with a friend who knows all the spots and has a good sense of humor.

This book provides excellent information on the sites, restaurants, accomodations, and history of South Carolina. I enjoyed reading it immensely because not only was it was humorous and well written, but it has a lot of interesting historical details and unique suggestions for things to see and do.

Did I say genius? I meant to say she's an artist with words. The photography in this lovely book is truly inspiring, but the writing is really the icing on the cake. (I guess that makes her a baker and a genius!)

I go to the Outer Banks as often as possible, but never often enough. This book takes me there right from my living room. The photography as well as the information contained in the book is outstanding. I found it to be relaxing as well as educational. Because the book has something for everyone, I highly recommend it for all ages.

Breathtaking, peaceful, extraordinary photography. Makes you feel like you are there. Mr Drapala captures the essence of the Outer Banks. Your experiences are captured through his lens. Heart felt work. Recommended for anyone who has, or wants to experience the ocean, the shoreline, the tranquility.

This book inspired me to visit Manse's home near Anderson, SC. Interesting story on a little known figure in SC history.

Being from Anderson,SC it was refreshing to read some of our true history. It was like catching a glimse of what life in Anderson was like in the Reconstruction era. Wilton Earle does a wonderful job telling the story of a local hero/murderor. I just wished schools would teach true histry like this, and not some concocked version of history that is politically correct. I recomend this book for everyone to read!

It was a nice change to read about a legend of the Civil War from South Carolina for a change.

For anyone that grew up in (or around) the upstate of South Carolina this book provides incredible insight into this intriguing figure, as well as what life was like during reconstruction in the upstate. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys Civil War stories, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the complicated life of someone who stood up for what he beleived in.

I own several of the DeLorme state atlases. They are great resources for the planning of non-motorized touring (biking, hiking).

Strengths include: (1) Physical land features: topographic contours, water resources, vegetation, etc. (2) Off-road options: trails, abandoned railroads, ferries. (3) Recreation: Parks, outdoor sports, points of interest.

DeLorme's atlases have two shortcomings: (1) Road naming is too creative. Many of the printed names bear no relation to actual road signs. (2) There's no indication of whether a road is paved, gravel, dirt or sand--every road is shown by a thin, red line. Consult "The Roads of North Carolina" for pavement info.

All in all, a "must" for the do-it-yourself traveler.

I am a full-time fishing guide in the mountains of North Carolina and I have found this book to be the absolute best reference material for finding trout streams in our mountains. If you do any type of outdoors activities you will benefit from this book.

When I first picked it up I couldn't believe the detail. A real page turner. From Nag's Head to Asheville, its a book I just couldn't put down.

can you imagine? that's so exciting! there are far too many exclamation points in this book. though it is hokey in a 'telling a story to a bunch of third graders' sort of way, it is interesting and it's a good general introduction to the lives of these 13 pirates.

In Pirates Of The Carolinas, author/photographer Terrance Zepke evaluates thirteen buccaneers, male and female, all of whom share a connection to the Carolinas. From the universally feared Blackbeard to infamous Anne Bonny, who ran to avoid marrying a rich man her father chose for her husband, the adventurous and deadly histories of these watery thieves is vividly recreated as best known from the evidence - conjecture and surmise help flesh out the rest, for there are some pirate mysteries known only to the depths of the ocean. Easily understandable to the lay reader, Pirates Of The Carolinas is written with flair, confidently informative, and highly entertaining.

In Pirates Of The Carolinas, writer/photographer Terrance Zepke presents the reader with thirteen of the most fascinating buccaneers in the history of piracy, each of whom was connected to the Carolinas. Here are to be found insights into the personalities and lives of these sea marauders, and informative answers into what their daily lives were like. From Blackbeard and Captain Kidd to Anne Bonny and Mary Reed, this cast of characters are as memorable as they were colorful, and as dangerous as they were ardently sought after by the authorities and eventual brought to grim justice. Pirates Of The Carolinas is terrific reading, the true-life stuff of which legends and Hollywood movies are made!