Customer Reviews

Ozark Baptizings, Hangings, and Other Diversions: Theatrical Folkways of Rural Missouri, 1885-1910

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This book might appeal to a narrow audience, but I hope not. Prof. Gilmore has done a great job detailing the history of just how people of the turn of the century Ozarks entertained themselves. Taken mostly from old newspapers and oral histories you get great insight into the box and pie suppers, community picnics, spellings bees, debates, school plays, singing schools, and other gatherings that people used to spice up their isolated rural lives in the rugged Ozarks. I was amazed at some of the worldly topics that were debated in the schools in the evenings and the pure excitment of packing up the wagon with fried chicken and pies to spend the day at the community picnic.

This book provides a warm look back at a much simpler time. It is wonderful reading!!

I enjoyed this one cover to cover. Being an Ozark Native (lived here all my life) and being from a family (as is my wife) that settled in this area well before the Civil War, I was able to relate quite well to the wonderful stories and accounts presented here by the author. This work truly captures the essence of our past and should certainly be read by any who has the slightest interest in the subject. Like another reviewer, I am afraid this work will be relegated to a narrow audience, which is a shame as there are true gems in these pages. This work examines a somewhat lost way of life and sadly, as each year passes, we loose more and more of it. This work covers the period between 1885 and 1910, but it must be said that many of the traditions referenced here lived long after this time period. Recommend this one highly.