American Hollow [Hardcover]

Rory Kennedy (Author), Steve Lehman (Photographer), Robert Coles (Preface)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1999

An oral and visual history of the Bowling clan of Kentucky. It is a rare experience: a sympathetic and strength-giving portrait of love and kinship in the face of hard times. Photos from Bowling family albums, historical Life and National Geographic images from the 1960s, and pictures of the Bowlings of today lend depth and texture to the story of this North American family.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch Press; 1st edition (November 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821226312
• ISBN-13: 978-0821226315
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #630,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely accurate portrayal of the Bowlings, September 4, 2000

By 

Vivian Middleton (Manchester, Ky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Hollow (Hardcover)

Wanda Bowling, daughter-in-law of Iree & Bass Bowling, is my best friend. I love her dearly. I work with her every day at Mid South Electrics. I have stayed at her home, attended the annual homecoming & gotten to know & love many members of her family. This book is not condesending or sensationalized; it merely "tells it like it is." American Hollow describes the lifestyle of the Bowlings. Because I know & love these people, I think I am more qualified to say this than someone who has merely visited the Bluegrass Region.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I grew up about one mile from Where the Bowling,s live now., March 17, 2000

By 

P. Woods (Some place ,Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Hollow (Hardcover)

Hello. The main character in this book stayed with my mother when my youngest sister was borned. Iree that is,so I know very well how and what this book and document on HBO is like.In fact my mother and two sisters live now less than two miles from Bass and Iree Bowling.Even though I live in another state ,,I go back and visit my mother very often. Also I always go back for the Home coming at Labor Day Weekend every year. Yes this is the way of the mountian people but,we are very proud of our hertage. Also most have running water and modern conviences now days too. However the Bowling family lives just like the book says. How do I know? You say! Because I know them very personally. P. Woods Ps..Very good work Rory..

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tell it like it is., July 7, 2002

By 

Sandra (Omaha, Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Hollow (Hardcover)

In my opinion, the American Hollow is not the author's literary and photographic perception of life in Appalachia. It is an unbiased view of life in the hollow as seen by one family. The author did not attempt to label the family as being representative of the population in general. Whether the family is atypical of the average Appalachian family is irrelevant. The determination of authenticity can be more appropriately evaluated by the participants, the actual family members depicted in the book and film. If the family and neighbors recognize the depictions as creditable, then the author has done a good job of telling it like it is, without approval or disapproval, but merely acceptance that this is one Appalachian family. I missed the documentary on HBO and have searched high and low for it without success. Would be interested to know where I might obtain a copy...all comments welcomed.