The Foxfire Book: Hog Dressing, Log Cabin Building, Mountain Crafts and Foods, Planting by the Signs, Snake Lore, Hunting Tales, Faith Healing, Moonshining, and Other Affairs of Plain Living [Paperback]

Eliot Wigginton (Editor)

Book Description

Release date: February 17, 1972

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."

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

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."

From the Inside Flap

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."

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; Later printing edition (February 17, 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385073534
• ISBN-13: 978-0385073530
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Folklore & Mythology

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 92 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Foxfire books we use the most July 29, 2003

By Beth DeRoos HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

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.

67 of 69 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Foxfire Series is a Treasure November 24, 2005

By James Choma VINE™ VOICE

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.

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great book I know for a fact this is the way it was. June 22, 1999

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"

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best begining is a simple one. October 12, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

My father tried to teach me from the moment I would pay attention, until the time I "knew it all", about simplicity. When I was in boy scouts, I read all kinds of books. The problem with most is that most people have no kind of base to start from. The whole foxfire series tells a story of the way life used to be. If you are into "outdoors" type books or life style, it captures the wonder of it all. Most books of this nature tend to get technical leaving what was interesting behind, fun. Around the time I was getting burnt out on tech books, my father found original foxfire books. Now all of the tech books mean more to me than ever before. They approach simple living "camping" from an entirely different vantage point. Now it's time to get my own set.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars buy it and use it June 17, 2006

By B. Stallings

Format:Paperback

Don't get me wrong the entire series is amazing. Book one is the best and one of the more practical. The chapter on log cabin building was my inspiration to build my own cabin. At least 75% of the cabin was directions from this very book. Reading a Foxfire (any of them) does something to you that's hard to explain. I think of Foxfire books as almost a self-help guide that teaches you how to slow down for a minute. I recommend this book for anybody with high blood pressure or some kind of anxiety problem. It's therapeutic. These students met some really neat people of Appalachia. We can't let this way of life fade away as it almost has in my hometown, Knoxville.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A day late and a dollar short......... February 9, 2000

By Lynda Lowman

Format:Paperback

Because I have hundreds of books, and thought I might put someof them up for auction......I looked through the library and tried toweed out some I could get along without. We were living in Montana with two kids, no money and looking to improve our lives. Because of where we were living, we couldn't raise a hog, didn't have snakes, but we did hunt. And we did have a garden and were able to plant by the signs. And this book was a God send in a lot of areas. Guess I'll hold onto it. You never know when all the wonderful tips will come in handy again! PS: If moonshine is in your domain.......the guidance in this book is great! END