cover image THE APPALACHIANS: America's First and Last Frontier

THE APPALACHIANS: America's First and Last Frontier

, . . Random, $29.95 (255pp) ISBN 978-1-4000-6186-0

Some 23 million people live in Appalachia, a region covering 200,000 square miles through 13 states. Congress declared 2002–2003 the "Year of Appalachia," highlighted by the Folklore Festival, a two-week celebration on the Washington, D.C., Mall attended by 1.1 million visitors. This anthology is the companion to a two-part PBS documentary (currently scheduled for air in September). Over 30 contributors cover all aspects of Appalachian life and culture, from "living-water baptism," coal mining, feuds, folktales, Foxfire, moonshiners, mountain music and snake handlers to the stately grandeur of North Carolina's Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, a 3,840-acre wilderness. Citing stereotypes and pop culture connections (Snuffy Smith, The Andy Griffith Show , The Waltons , Deliverance ), Santelli (The Big Book of the Blues ) sets the scene with an overview of the real Appalachia's origins, hardships and triumphs. Evans, the film's executive producer, writes that book and film provide "a multifaceted glimpse [of] the history of Appalachia: who came to the land, why they came, what they found, what they did, and why they stayed." Former Rolling Stone Press editor George-Warren presents a "Hillbilly Timeline" from 1900 to 2000. Many of the contributors, among them scholars, writers and naturalists, offer nostalgic childhood memories. Sidebar embellishments—quotes, images, lyrics, poems and excerpts from 19th-century writing—complement the text. Over 180 superb photos and illustrations include Archie L. Musick's scratch-board art, song sheets, engravings and R. Crumb drawings. 16 pages of color photos not seen by PW . (On sale Apr. 6)