Customer Reviews

Keepsakes for the Heart: An Historical Biography

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a book everyone should read. What hardship and cruelty this family endured! Having been raised in Big Stone Gap and especially the Wildcat section, I heard stories much like this when I was growing up. Amelia Townsend and Dink Shackleford have combined their talents for a sure-fire winner in this one.

This biography was very interesting, if sometimes maddening, because of all the many hardships some of the Appalachian people had to go through, especially the women. The men mostly ruled the roost back then, and women coped, if they could. It follows a mountain family with many children and then one of the daughters who grew up throughout the book. I liked the little sections of pure history interspersed within the story to help you understand more about the people and some of the challenges they faced. There is quite a bit about the beginnings of the coal mining industry in the Appalachaian area, which grew very large for a while, then started slowing down with the introduction of technology and more stringent safety rules. It tells some about the "caste" system that developed where the bosses and foremen lived on top of the hill in the nicer, larger houses, and the workers lived at the bottom, and knew their "place".
This book takes place in the past century, from early 1900's until about 1990. Many of the people who read a loaned copy want to get a copy for themselves.
Get this. You will find it fascinating, but prepare to have your emotions stirred.

This book reminds me of the movie, Places in the Heart. Just like Sally Field in that movie, Sarah and her mother, Cammie, had to fight for every scrap they got. And to set her life against the history of the time made me understand and pull for these women.

I rarely give any book such a high rating. I read so many that I constantly hope I'll be captivated. With this true story, I was! It was so sad, so challenging and so hopeful. Everyone should read this book--particularly if one faces difficulties. This woman's inspiration is to all of us.!

I could not put this book down. I've never given up a lunch hour to read a book... but for this one ... i did.

This biography is dear to my heart because my mom grew up in the vicinity and I've traveled to see relatives all my life. Each generation needs to know the good and the bad of previous generations to have a great perspective on today, and appreciate our way of life!

Keepsakes for the Heart: An Historical Biography

I am a descendant of the main character. She was truly just as you find her in the book. She was a strong, quiet and loving woman. Her trials were many but they never broke her spirit. She is the kind of woman we need today. Her family was her treasure. I advise anyone planning to read this book to have a box of tissues close at hand.

We used Gap Creek in our Davidson County Schools, NC for our first media coordinators' Book Talk. Robert Morgan's mother and sister attended. We thoroughly enjoyed the book. Mrs. Morgan's mother was the person that Robert Morgan used to fashion the character "Julie" around. This is a must read book!