Foxfire 8 [Turtleback]

Eliot Wigginton (Editor)

Product Details

• Turtleback
• Publisher: Demco Media (April 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606032568
• ISBN-13: 978-0606032568
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,939,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Eighth Book in This Extraordinary Series on "The Old Days", November 24, 2005

By 

James Choma - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Foxfire 8 (Paperback)

The Foxfire series is the creation of English teacher Elliott Wiggington (Wig) who made it a point to have students participating in his program interview older folks to find out how they did things in everyday life. And even though this is the work of high school students, the writing is clear, concise, informative, and very readable. Good writing is good writing.

Each volume is like a time capsule, capturing the wisdom and know-how from individuals born around the turn of the 20th century. And while the focus is based around the inhabitants in and around Rabun County, Georgia, this information shows life as it was in America circa the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.

In this eighth volume, the focus is on folk pottery -- how its made, the different styles, and interviews with the artists. Most interesting is the firing process and the history of the kiln. You'll also find information on mule swapping and chicken fighting.

After reading several of these volumes, I think what appealed to me most of all was the fact that these older folks in the 80s and 90s weren't viewed as forgotten relics of a bygone era. They were treated with respect and dignity, and their memories treated as the treasures that they indeed are. It's a shame nowadays that we don't have more publications like Foxfire that highlight the knowledge gained from our older population. So many folks in the 70s, 80s, and 90s sit alone at home, or nursing homes forgotten and alone. They are untapped resources of great stories and wisdom. Fortunately for us, the people at Foxfire realized the value of these individuals and preserved some of those stories for future generations to cherish and enjoy.

If you have an interest in 19th century knowlege and an appreciation or an interest in how things used to be, you cannot do without this series.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, April 8, 2011

By 

Jason A. Mcpeak (Webster, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Foxfire 8 (Paperback)

Good information on pottery, how to build primitive kilns, could be more detailed on mining the clay for pottery though

5.0 out of 5 stars This takes on the issues, April 26, 2011

By 

William D. Marlin "Dave M" (Cedar City, Ut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Foxfire 8 (Paperback)

Foxfire 8 takes on those issues of Appalachia which have been pushed aside by many other authors and publishers. IMHO these authors covered a lot of good and important topics in depth. I've been reading Foxfire books for over 20 years and appreciate the efforts of the students as well as the teachers and the Foundation.