 |
|
  click to enlarge |
History of mountain hunting From the primitive weaponry of the brave Cherokee to audacious rifle-toting ridge runners, these stories are a tribute to the adventure of hunting game. Many residents hunted out of necessity, others for the thrill of the chase, and some were the hunted. Author and avid outdoorsman Bob Plott, who lives near Statesville, takes readers back into time and into the minds of the region’s most intrepid hunters. Places explored include Swain County tributaries Hazel Creek, the site of record-setting bear hunts, and Deep Creek, both of which were a sportsman’s paradise. “A History of Hunting in the Great Smoky Mountains” includes more than 40 black and white photographs. Softcover, 128 pages, $19.99. (866) 457-5971 |
 click to enlarge |
“The All-New Woodworking for Kids” One of the rare woodworking volumes created for kids, this guide carries more projects and more information in an expanded introductory section on tools, materials, techniques and safety. Of the nearly 40 projects included, 15 are new and 25 have been redesigned. Author Kevin McGuire, who lives in Asheville, gives instructions on projects directed at ages 8 to 12 years old. They include making a workshop bench, creating a DVD storage cube that spins, building a doggie diner, creating a box with a secret drawer and many other long-lasting items. Softcover, 144 pages, $14.95. Published by Lark Books in Asheville, a division of Sterling Publishing. (800) 367-9692 |
 click to enlarge |
“Linthead Stomp” Contrary to common belief, the roots of American country music do not spring solely from southern farms or mountain hollows. Much of this music recorded before World War II actually emerged from the bustling cities and towns of the Piedmont South, and no group contributed more to early country music commercialization than southern factory workers. In “Linthead Stomp: The Creation of Country Music in the Piedmont South,” author Patrick Huber explores country music origins in the Piedmont’s mill villages. Huber offers vivid portraits of a colorful cast of Piedmont millhand musicians, including Fiddlin’ John Carson, Charlie Poole, Dave McCarn, and the Dixon Brothers. Drawing on several sources, including rare 78-rpm recordings and unpublished interviews, Huber considers the impact that urban living, industrial work and mass culture had on their music. “Linthead Stomp” celebrates the Piedmont millhand fiddlers, guitarists and banjo pickers who created distinctive music that spoke to the changing realities of the South. Hardcover, 440 pages, $30. Published by University of North Carolina Press. (800) 848-6224 |
 click to enlarge |
On Account of Conspicuous Women Set in Roxboro in the 1920s, this novel follows the dreams and actions of four young Southern women who unite during the women’s suffrage movement. Bertie is a fashionable, outspoken telephone operator and bribes men with roasted peanuts so they’ll listen to her. Debutante Ina is a newcomer to Roxboro. Her husband died on their honeymoon and she’s now supporting herself. Guerine is an only child of a distant businessman and chronically fatigued mom and likes to be the center of attention. Farm girl Doodle enjoys reciting Keats but keeps her writing dreams under wraps, along with her dad’s deathbed secrets. Together, the four realize they can achieve almost anything. Writer Dawn Shamp lives in Durham. Published by St. Martin’s Press in New York (publisher doesn’t sell book directly). Hardcover, 306 pages, $23.95. Available through local and chain booksellers |
 click to enlarge |
Guide to state parks North Carolina’s State Parks reported record attendance in 2007. “North Carolina State Parks: A Niche Guide” features photographs and key information about North Carolina’s state parks, recreation and natural areas as well as soon-to-be opened parks and natural areas. Organized by Mountains, Piedmont and Coastal Plain, each entry includes a general site description of the park or area, location, GPS coordinates, amenities and unique features. Co-authors Ida Phillips Lynch of Chapel Hill and Bill Pendergraft, formerly of Chapel Hill, also provide safety tips, a list of nearby natural areas and links to related Web sites. Published by Niche Publishing LLC in Chapel Hill, and distributed by publisher John F. Blair in Winston-Salem. Softcover, 185 color photographs, 123 pages, $14.95. (800) 222-9796 |