On Earth's Furrowed Brow: The Appalachian Farm in Photographs

by Tim Barnwell, John Ehle (Foreword)

Author of the much-celebrated Face of Appalachia, Tim Barnwell once again turns an intelligent and compassionate eye toward rural America. For over twenty-five years Tim Barnwell has explored the southern Appalachian region, documenting the farm culture, visiting with and photographing the people of its isolated mountain enclaves.

The photographs in this collection provide a window onto a world that is quickly fading. Barnwell honors the richness and rhythms of everyday life―people in their homes and at work in the fields―and captures the beauty of the North Carolina mountains. These intimate portraits are complemented by oral histories, derived from conversations between the author and his subjects, through which individual stories unfold, rich in humor, joy, loss, and wisdom. 100 duotone photographs

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2007

Reviews

[Myra Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding book. The black and white photographs capture the atmosphere and ways of the North Carolina area. The text is eloquent. The accounts by the people in the photographs are sweet, honest, realistic, and reflect their culture. Send this book to your friends who think all southerners are stupid redneck bigots. Mr Barnwell says these people, "bear no resemblance to the negative stereotypes about the region that are still all too common, namely that Appalachia is populated by poor, ignorant, unemployed folks, sitting on their porches with seemingly nothing to do." pg 13. Well said. The expression, "salt of the earth" is more appropriate. The photos, text, and quotes from the people say it all There are women named Ethyl and Lockie and Myrtle. There are men named Analo and Hayes and Kella. There are places named Old Fort and Jupiter and Shelton Laurel. A gem of a book!