A Cades Cove Childhood

by Margaret McCaulley, J.C. McCaulley

One of the last residents of the Smoky Mountain town frozen in time tells of life in a community that few have seen.
The remote Smoky Mountain community of Cades Cove still lives in the memory of J.C. McCaulley, one of the few remaining former residents, who offers an exclusive glimpse into a childhood in the Cove. His stories, compiled by his wife Margaret, are a testament to a way of life long abandoned - a life before automobiles, television and perhaps too much exposure to the outside world; a life of hard work and caring for your neighbors. Join the McCaulleys in their quest to preserve the beauty, tranquility and traditions of this pristine community, and dare to dream of a way of life that encouraged independence, integrity and the courage to overcome adversity.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, History

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short easy read. It was like having my grandpa next to me telling stories. Being very familiar with Cades Cove, its landscape, buildings, and history, I enjoyed learned more about the families who worked the land to provide for their people. I can just picture some of these vivid, possibly exaggerated, stories happening there. I’m thankful that these stories have been recorded in this book.

[Lauren Curley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a bit choppy to read. However, if you are visiting Cades Cove, this really helps you visualize what it was like to live there when it was a settled area. I loved the explanation of the various residents as well, especially the Walker sisters.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the area and era that my grandmother grew up in.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A light read, but interesting about growing up back in the 30's and 40's in the Great Smoky Mountains.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an Endearing Memory

This such a great memory. We need more of these memories of places where the wild ones grew. This is the type of people who gave America flavor and distinction. I love reading about these backwoods mountain people. They were the everyday "good" people that made America the country it once was.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book. Cades Cove is such a beautifully majestic place! Reading this reminded me of our history in this region. It mentions my home place many times. Maryville is my home and I am very familiar with the area that the authors moved to after their life in the cove. In fact, I grew up very near there. I found this book so interesting and I know people whose ancestors lived in the cove.

[Summer Moeller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, light read of random memories and stories from a childhood spent growing up in the Smoky Mountains. Having just visited Cade's Cove, I wanted to know a little more of the history of the people whose homes we saw. This book helped me better visualize and appreciate the beautiful but ruggedly hard life they lived.

[Wendy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I visit Cade's Cove I often wonder about the lives of people who lived there. It's such a picturesque, storybook setting. I was happy to find this book and read the story of someone who grew up there. It's told very simply and is an interesting book.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love learning everything I can about Cades Cove! This was a really interesting book - I really enjoyed the stories.

[Carmen Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful tales of a time gone by. Felt like I was reading something written by my grandparents.

[Randy Pollock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good information, but some read with thick sentences and very little drama to go with the facts.