The Land of Saddle-bags: A Study of the Mountain People of Appalachia [Paperback]

James Watt Raine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 1997

" This charming account of life in Appalachia at the turn of the century is one of the three most important books from the early twentieth century that, as Dwight Billings writes in his foreword, have "had a profound and lasting impact on how we think about Appalachia and, indeed, on the fact that we commonly believe that such a place and people can be readily identified." Originally published in 1924, it was advertised as a "racy book, full of the thrill of mountain adventure and the delicious humor of vigorously human people." James Watt Raine, professor of English literature and later head of the English and drama departments at Berea College from 1906 until his retirement in 1939, provides eyewitness accounts of mountain speech and folksinging, education, religion, community, politics, and farming. In a conscious effort to dispel the negative stereotype of the drunken, slothful, gun-toting hillbilly prone to violence, Raine presents positive examples from his own experiences among the region's native inhabitants.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A lively, first-hand account of a Berea College professor's favorable experience with mountain people." -- Now & Then

"Will enable modern readers to experience how early-twentieth-century writers viewed the Appalachian region and its people. The foreword, penned by Dwight Billings, is especially outstanding as a modern critique of the work." -- Register of the Kentucky Historical Society

"First published in 1924, The Land of the Saddle-Bags provides a unique and timeless study of Appalachia and its people." -- The Bourbon Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 330 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (February 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813109299
• ISBN-13: 978-0813109299
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,222,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Land of Saddle-Bags : A Study of the Mountian People, September 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Land of Saddle-bags: A Study of the Mountain People of Appalachia (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for young and old readers alike. I enjoyed it because it showed what people lived like in this century, but left out any inappropriate material. It read like a fiction book, but in reality was a non-fiction written about the authors experiences while living in this remote area. It includes a gun fight, general hardships endured, and facts about everyday life.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Land of Saddle-Bags: A Study of the Mountain People of, September 3, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Land of Saddle-bags: A Study of the Mountain People of Appalachia (Paperback)

This book is a good example of how people really lived in this century. I enjoyed this book because it doesn't contain anything offensive to young readers but does include the excitement of a gun battle, true hardships these people endured, and information on their everyday life. It is told as a non- fiction work, but does carry you along like a fiction book. Excellent for anyone interested in pioneer life or as a compasison to how our life could be. ***I read the original book published in the 1940's not this updated one.

5.0 out of 5 stars THE LAND OF THE SADDLE-BAGS, May 4, 2011

By 

schuyler29 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Land of Saddle-bags: A Study of the Mountain People of Appalachia (Paperback)

MY FATHER-IN-LAW RECEIVED THIS BOOK (1927) WHEN HE HAD ACCEPTED A PASTORATE AT A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN HAZARD, KY. (HE WAS A VIRGINIAN AND HAD STARTED HIS MINISTRY IN DANVILLE, VA, SO GOING TO HAZARD WAS A BIT OF A CHALLENGE FOR HIM, THOUGH HE FELT THE CALL.)

HE AND I AND OTHERS HAD WORN OUT HIS COPY OF THE BOOK, AND I WAS ANXIOUS TO HAVE ANOTHER COPY, SO I AM GRATEFUL TO AMAZON.COM! I WOULD RECOMMEND THE BOOK TO ANYONE, NOT JUST TO THOSE LIVING IN THE APPALACHIANS OR THOSE CONSIDERING MOVING TO THE MOUNTAINS OR A COAL MINING AREA. IT IS TRULY A GREAT BOOK!

WILLIAM A. BLAIR