Customer Reviews

The Kentucky Encyclopedia

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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.

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.

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.

Very informative book. Well organized.

I received the book in about a week. Th only problem that I had I could not track my book, which was a problem, because I needed it fast. And also when I did receive my book the back cover is molded in in a curve, all the pages were fine, just the cover was curved. I would buy from this seller again, responded to my email fast.