In the late 1960s, Eliot Wigginton and his students created the magazine Foxfire in an effort to record and preserve the traditional folk culture of the Southern Appalachians. This is the original book compilation of Foxfire material which introduces Aunt Arie and her contemporaries and includes log cabin building, hog dressing, snake lore, mountain crafts and food, and "other affairs of plain living."
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In the late 1960's, Eliot Wigginton and his students created the magazine Foxfire in an effort to record and preserve the traditional folk culture of the Southern Appalachians. This is the original book compilation of Foxfire material which introduces Aunt Arie and her contemporaries and includes log cabin building, hog dressing, snake lore, mountain crafts and food, and "other affairs of plain living."
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In the late 1960s, Eliot Wigginton and his students created the magazine Foxfire in an effort to record and preserve the traditional folk culture of the Southern Appalachians. This is the original book compilation of Foxfire material which introduces Aunt Arie and her contemporaries and includes log cabin building, hog dressing, snake lore, mountain crafts and food, and "other affairs of plain living."
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
88 of 90 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Owning the FOXFIRE series of books this is one that I probably use the most, since I am an organic gardener who found value in the information on planting according by the moons phase as well as how to weave baskets as well as the quilting section.
These are not fancy dancy books, but basic down to earth helpful information that the modern homesteaders we know still use. And the section on snake lore is informative as well as enchanting. Same with the section on moonshine.
And for those like ourselves who have designed and are in the slow process of building our dream homes or cottages the section on chimney building is one of the best we have ever read or used.
I also will add that the used copy we bought via Amazon,com to replace another copy we gave away, arrived in mint condition. If you haven't bought used books via Amazon.com you are missing out on a money saving gem.
66 of 68 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Foxfire series is the creation of English teacher Elliott Wigginton (Wig) who made it a point to have students participating in his program interview older folks to find out how they did things in everyday life. And even though this is the work of high school students, the writing is clear, concise, informative, and very readable. Good writing is good writing.
Each volume is like a time capsule, capturing the wisdom and know-how from individuals born around the turn of the 20th century. And while the focus is based around the inhabitants in and around Rabun County, Georgia, this information shows life as it was in America circa the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
After reading several of these volumes, I think what appealed to me most of all was the fact that these older folks in the 80s and 90s weren't viewed as forgotten relics of a bygone era. They were treated with respect and dignity, and their memories treated as the treasures that they indeed are. It's a shame nowadays that we don't have more publications like Foxfire that highlight the knowledge gained from our older population. So many folks in the 70s, 80s, and 90s sit alone at home, or nursing homes forgotten and alone. They are untapped resources of great stories and wisdom. Fortunately for us, the people at Foxfire realized the value of these individuals and preserved some of those stories for future generations to cherish and enjoy.
If you have an interest in 19th century knowlege and an appreciation or an interest in how things used to be, you cannot do without this series.
Each volume is like a time capsule, capturing the wisdom and know-how from individuals born around the turn of the 20th century. And while the focus is based around the inhabitants in and around Rabun County, Georgia, this information shows life as it was in America circa the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
After reading several of these volumes, I think what appealed to me most of all was the fact that these older folks in the 80s and 90s weren't viewed as forgotten relics of a bygone era. They were treated with respect and dignity, and their memories treated as the treasures that they indeed are. It's a shame nowadays that we don't have more publications like Foxfire that highlight the knowledge gained from our older population. So many folks in the 70s, 80s, and 90s sit alone at home, or nursing homes forgotten and alone. They are untapped resources of great stories and wisdom. Fortunately for us, the people at Foxfire realized the value of these individuals and preserved some of those stories for future generations to cherish and enjoy.
If you have an interest in 19th century knowlege and an appreciation or an interest in how things used to be, you cannot do without this series.
48 of 48 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
My great-grand parents and my grandparents and even most recently my 97 year old aunt did live and think like this. I at the age of 52 now have planted by the signs all my life since age 8. My mother believed in a lot of the old remedies in this book. My mother's mother was part Cherokee indian and they too passed along a lot of what was in the book. If things continue on the same tract as they are going now, we will probably be doing this very same thing real soon. The only problem, the young generation of today do not know how to do any of the stuff in the foxfire book and just laugh at us oldies when we try to tell them how it was and may very well be in the future. I hope they never have to experience this way of life. They will never make it. I have an issue I purchased in 1972 . I can't tell you how many time I have referred to it regarding some of the remedies and the food. A person can make a great quilt from this also. Never tried the still "ha, ha"
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating collection from the Appalachians
I borrowed Foxfire books from the public library when I was a teen and was fascinated by the wide variety of folklore topics they contained... Read more
Published 8 hours ago by Don
5.0 out of 5 stars
These books are amazing
I wish I had all of them. So interesting and an absolute treasure for anybody interested in how things where done in the old days. Gotta have it.
Published 1 month ago by Trevor Cunningham
4.0 out of 5 stars
Old time living
If you want to see how prople used to live long ago...and may have to again, this is the book for you.
Published 1 month ago by Bob
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOW!!!
If you read this book, you will be whisked away to a lost time, long forgotten by our fast and busy lifestyle. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mac
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent reading
Everything I thought it would be an more. I have put it to use in a number of ways, have already pass it on to family members.
Published 2 months ago by John P. Standifer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book to own
Never know when your gonna need to know this stuff... Awesome book filled with knowledge that's not taught in many places any more...
Published 2 months ago by Lillie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Southern Wisdom
You have to be from the South to appreciate this book, and be a person who truly loves mountain lore, living and wisdom. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Leslie M.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
This is my 3rd Foxfire book. It is a great program started in North GA teaching youth about the heritage of the mountains. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Phil
5.0 out of 5 stars
what we al should know
In just reading the note from the author, I must say this is something we should start in EVERY school. How things used to be done is something we all need to know. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Walz
4.0 out of 5 stars
a general old time living off the land
I had fun reading some of the old folk remidies and stories. You can get this book for free as a download.
Published 3 months ago by michael lavan
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 2
books:
58
books
cite this book:
See all 58 books citing this book
- South Carolina (Portrait of America) by Kathleen Thompson on page 54, and page 83
- North Carolina (His The new enchantment of America) by John Allan Carpenter on page 366
- Folk Medicine in Southern Appalachia by Anthony Cavender on 15 pages
- Blue Ridge Folklife (Folklife in the South) by Ted Olson on 4 pages
- Smokehouse Ham, Spoon Bread, & Scuppernong Wine: The Folklore and Art of Southern Appalachian Cooking by Joseph Dabney on 4 pages
- Smokehouse Ham, Spoon Bread, & Scuppernong Wine: The Folklore and Art of Southern Appalachian Cooking by Joseph Dabney in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Arts and Architecture of German Settlements in Missouri: A Survey of a Vanishing Culture by Charles Van Ravenswaay on page 407, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 58 books citing this book
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