Tales from Sacred Wind: Coming of Age in Appalachia: the Cratis Williams Chronicles. (Contributions to Southern Appalachian Studies) [Paperback]

Cratis D. Williams (Author), David Cratis Williams (Editor), Patricia D. Beaver (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786414901 | ISBN-13: 978-0786414901 | Publication Date: March 11, 2003

Prior to his death in 1985, Cratis Williams was a leading scholar of and spokesperson for Appalachian life and literature and a pioneer of the Appalachian studies movement. Williams was born in a log cabin on Caines Creek, Lawrence County, Kentucky, in 1911. To use his own terms, he was "a complete mountaineer."

This book is an edited compilation of Williams’ memoirs of his childhood. These autobiographical reminiscences often take the form of a folktale, with individual titles such as "Preacher Lang Gets Drunk" and "The Double Murder at Sledges." Schooled initially in traditional stories and ballads, he learned to read by the light of his grandfather’s whiskey still and excelled at the local one-room school. After becoming the first person from Caines Creek to attend and graduate from the county high school in Louisa, he taught in one-room schools while pursuing his own education. He earned both a BA and MA from the University of Kentucky before moving to Appalachian State Teacher’s College in 1942; later he earned a Ph.D. from New York University and then returned to Appalachian State.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Cratis Williams, son of Cratis, works in speech and media studies at the University of Missouri at Rolla. Patricia D. Beaver is director of the Center for Appalachian Studies at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (March 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786414901
• ISBN-13: 978-0786414901
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,002,761 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:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for those interested in Appalachian Studies, January 23, 2004

By 

Charles Pinney (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales from Sacred Wind: Coming of Age in Appalachia: the Cratis Williams Chronicles. (Contributions to Southern Appalachian Studies) (Paperback)

The stories of Cratis Williams are essential for the getting a glimpse of Appalachia. He is/was indeed the leading spokesperson and scholar of life in the Applachian Mountains. These stories deal mostly with his childhood growing up in rural Eastern Kentucky. These stories are unforgettable and profound.

Cratis Williams eventually came to Boone, North Carolina to teach school. He returned again after receiving his Ph.D. from New York University. Appalachian State University's graduate school is named for him.

"The Cratis Williams Chronicles: I Come to Boone" is another book that goes into detail about his coming to the high country of North Carolina. Highly Recommended.

If you're at all interested in peeling back the stereotypical images of Appalachia and peering into a region with soul and character, give Cratis Williams a read.