John Henry: A Bio-Bibliography (Popular Culture Bio-Bibliographies) [Hardcover]

Brett Williams (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The subtitle `Bio-Bibliography' suggests somewhat less than this book is. It is indeed a biography in a very loose sense (a strict biography of a man who may not have existed could not be very substantial), and an extensive bibliography (and discography) as well. But its chief contribution to contemporary scholarship is Williams's insightful discussions on the myth of John Henry and the role of that myth in twentieth-century American society--both black and white. . . . Williams's most important contribution . . . offers her own insights into the heroic appeal of John Henry.”–JEMFQ

Product Details

• Hardcover: 175 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press; 1St Edition edition (April 29, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313222509
• ISBN-13: 978-0313222504
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,336,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John Henry - imaginary folktale or real man?, January 19, 1998

By 

G. Earls (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: John Henry: A Bio-Bibliography (Popular Culture Bio-Bibliographies) (Hardcover)

When I first heard about this book I thought, "there's no way this book is about the legendary steel driver". The title is what threw me off "JOHN HENRY A Bio-Bibliography". How could you write a "bio-bibliography" about an imaginary guy?

It turns out that in the early 1900 two professors, Guy Johnson and Louis Chappell, decided to track down the origions of the John Henry ballad and folktale. They were shocked to find people who actually claimed to know the Steel Driver. They knew what he looked like, where he worked (C&O railroad in W. Virginia), and even the name and location of the tunnel where he raced the steam drill and died. Incredible!

I orginally was hooked on the John Henry folktale as a kid when I read the children's book by Ezra Keats. As an adult it is wonderful to read that he actually might have existed. John Henry a Bio-bibliography is a wonderful book full of great history and intrigue.