The Kentucky Encyclopedia [Hardcover]

John E. Kleber (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 1992

" The Kentucky Encyclopedia is available on-line for libraries and other subscribers. See www.kyenc.com for information. The Kentucky Encyclopedia's 2,000-plus entries are the work of more than five hundred writers. Their subjects reflect all areas of the commonwealth and span the time from prehistoric settlement to today's headlines, recording Kentuckians' achievements in art, architecture, business, education, politics, religion, science, and sports. Biographical sketches portray all of Kentucky's governors and U.S. senators, as well as note congressmen and state and local politicians. Kentucky's impact on the national scene is registered in the lives of such figures as Carry Nation, Henry Clay, Louis Brandeis, and Alben Barkley. The commonwealth's high range from writers Harriette Arnow and Jesse Stuart, reformers Laura Clay and Mary Breckinridge, and civil rights leaders Whitney Young, Jr., and Georgia Powers, to sports figures Muhammad Ali and Adolph Rupp and entertainers Loretta Lynn, Merle Travis, and the Everly Brothers. Entries describe each county and county seat and each community with a population above 2,500. Broad overview articles examine such topics as agriculture, segregation, transportation, literature, and folklife. Frequently misunderstood aspects of Kentucky's history and culture are clarified and popular misconceptions corrected. The facts on such subjects as mint juleps, Fort Knox, Boone's coonskin cap, the Kentucky hot brown, and Morgan's Raiders will settle many an argument. For both the researcher and the more casual reader, this collection of facts and fancies about Kentucky and Kentuckians will be an invaluable resource.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

From bluegrass to bourbon to basketball, Kentucky celebrates its bicentennial in 1992. The Kentucky Encyclopedia is a fitting tribute to 200 years of statehood--a major accomplishment and a model reference volume. The book includes over 2000 entries spanning the history, politics, economy, arts, recreation, and biography of the state. Far more than history, the encyclopedia documents all aspects of the evolution of Kentucky. The entries range from a brief paragraph to several pages (coal mining, tobacco, and caves). The work of over 500 contributors, the volume leaves few Kentucky stones unturned. The arrangement is alphabetical, and cross references are indicated in small capitals within an entry. Bibliographic notes are added for many entries, and entries are signed unless they were written by the staff of the volume. A 15-page overview of Kentucky emphasizing the 20th century introduces the entries. After hours of scanning the encyclopedia for errors, only a handful of mistakes were identified, and those were minor. The Kentucky Encyclopedia is highly recommended.
-Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., Ala.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A ready source of readable history, entertaining folklore, humor, even mystery, and a mother lode of genealogical information." -- Lexington Herald-Leader

"Over two thousand entries by more than five hundred authors who represented diverse educational, cultural, and regional backgrounds.... Clearly organized and easy to use.... A useful compendium of information that balances political, social, and economic history and gives voice to the regional diversity of the state." -- Journal of American History

"It is remarkable that John E. Kleber and his editorial team designed and executed the Commonwealth's premiere bicentennial project, The Kentucky Encyclopedia, in four short years.... A very promising research tool for the preparation of Kentucky's next few decades of historical writing." -- Journal of Southern History

"Will be referred to for decades, maybe centuries." -- Kentucky Living

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1080 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (May 18, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813117720
• ISBN-13: 978-0813117720
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.4 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #533,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Reading!, May 10, 2000

By 

R. Ellis (Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Kentucky Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

If you buy only one book about Kentucky, this is the book to buy. Every aspect of Kentucky history is covered in detail. This is a compilation of articles submitted by over 500 people on various topics ranging from prehistoric Kentucky to modern times. Each one is a facinating description of Kentucky history that reads like a short story. I never tire of reading this book! Is is a must read for anyone who has ever been to or lived in Kentucky.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything Kentucky, September 17, 2010

By 

Miz Ellen "all the letters of my real name" (Bovine Universe) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Kentucky Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

Published for Kentucky's bicentennial celebration in 1992, this chunky volume is actually a masterly collection of short articles about people and events in Kentucky's colorful history by the foremost experts on each topic. The four editors were the leading luminaries in Kentucky history.

From "Actor's Theatre" to "Felix Zollicoffer", absolutely everything and everyone is in here. Because it is arranged alphabetically, finding any given topic is easy. However, it makes for FASCINATING browsing. So when I look up former governor "Happy" Chandler, I also discover the brief article about "Chained Rock" on the opposing page. Scanning the book finds entries for "Muhammad Ali", "Fancy Farm", "Desegregation of Education", "Jackson-Dickinson Duel" and "Youth Orchestras".

One can read the longer article about the Civil War, to understand exactly the people and places in Kentucky that it touched and then check out each person or place name to get more information.

Even with the passage of time, THE KENTUCKY ENCYCLOPEDIA has never been equaled for comprehensiveness. An update that preserves the authority of the original while adding in all the new events since publication would be a worthy endeavor. Until then, this original edition is highly recommended for anyone who loves excellent history. Kentucky is not a large state, but its location makes it of interest as a "border state" in the Civil War. Understanding Kentucky is central to an understanding of American history and shines a light on Southern culture. Beyond all that, Kentucky's history boasts some of the best true stories ever set to paper.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Kentucky Encyclopedia, February 6, 2010

By 

Chester Ward (Owensboro, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Kentucky Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

The Kentucky Encyclopedia is a premier reference on Kentucky, both past and present. Entertaining as well, every page seems to include a rare bit of trivia.