Encyclopedia of Appalachia

by Rudy Abramson (Editor), Jean Haskell (Editor)

Appalachia holds a curious place in the American psyche. There is a pervasive perception of the region as a hinterland inhabited by a backward and developmentally stunted people. Economically, culturally, and technologically suspended in an era gone by, this Appalachia is regarded as one of America's enduring social and economic problems. But there is another perception of Appalachia-home to the beautiful mountain system for which the region is named. It is a quaint retreat into the past, reflecting the integrity of a people with a pioneering spirit and lifestyle that pays homage to a simpler time. Until now, there has been no general reference work that captures the complexities of this enigmatic region. The only guide of its kind, the Encyclopedia of Appalachia is replete with information on every aspect of Appalachia's history, land, culture, and people. Containing more than 2,000 entries in 30 sections, the Encyclopedia is designed for quick reference and access to the information you need to know. Teachers, students, scholars, historians, and browsers with a passing interest in this beautiful and richly distinct region will quickly come to rely on the Encyclopedia of Appalachia as the authoritative resource on Appalachia's past and present. The Encyclopedia details subjects traditionally associated with Appalachia-folklore, handcrafts, mountain music, foods, and coal mining-but goes far beyond regional stereotypes to treat such wide-ranging topics as the aerospace industry, Native American foodways, ethnic diversity in the coalfields, education reform, linguistic variation, and the contested notion of what it means to be Appalachian, both inside and outside the region.Researched and developed by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services at East Tennessee State University, this 1,840-page compendium includes all thirteen states that constitute the northern, central, and southern subregions of Appalachia-from New York to Mississippi. With thorough, detailed, yet accessible entries on everything from Adventists to zinc mining, the Encyclopedia of Appalachia is an indispensable, one-stop guide to all things Appalachian.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction

1864 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Rudy Paulk Abramson was a reporter for the Los Angeles Times from 1965 until 1993. In retirement, he served as executive director of Protect Historic America and co-edited The Encyclopedia of Appalachia.

Reviews

[Sandra Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book: Encyclopedia of Appalachia by Rudy Abramson

Your Name : Sandra Smith

Type of Reference : Encyclopedia

Call Number : Ref 974

Content/Scope: The Encyclopedia details topics such as Appalachia folklore, crafts, mountain music unique to Appalachia, Appalachian foods, and jobs related to the Appalachians. It is an extensive guide to anything that involves Appalachian culture.

Citation for where the item has been reviewed : http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/82...

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Booklist is a book-review magazine that has been published by the American Library Association for more than 100 years, and is widely viewed as offering the most reliable reviews to help libraries decide what to buy. The content scope appears to be presented in great detail, no limitations noted. The accuracy appears to be authentic and no bias was observed.

Arrangement/Presentation: The presentation was easy to navigate and appropriate for audiences, especially students and teachers.

Relation to other works: Newer materials online may provide more up to date facts, but this appears to cover historical facts up to publication date quite well. No other works were found that compared to it.

Accessibility/Diversity: Due to the fact it covers Appalachian culture, it does meet the needs of many diverse audiences and cultures.

Costs: The cost is under $80.00.

Professional Review: Bulson, C. (2006, September 1). Booklist Review - Encyclopedia of Appalachia. . Retrieved March 30, 2013, from Booklist Online: http://www.booklistonline.com/Encyclo...

[Stephen Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource for understanding Appalachia — it’s people, culture, and traditions.