Customer Reviews

West Virginia: A History

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I very much enjoy researching West Virghinia and this would be a great intro book for the subject. It is at times a tad dry, BUT, overall the book does have a flow and brings out some great hidden history and trivia of the state.

A long read, and a true history of the state. Whatever your background, If you like West Virginia, then this book is for you.

This book is a great, interesting read. It covers WV Prehistory (the Adena- famous for the large mounds seen all over the state- and Hopewell Cultures and others), succession from VA during the Civil War, the first governors of the state and even (relatively) modern politics, including Senator Byrd's contributions to road construction and other projects funded by the federal government. The book leaves out the fact, however, that Byrd was a former member of the KKK and had the following to say about African Americans:

"I shall never fight in the armed forces with a Negro by my side ... Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds. "
-- Robert C. Byrd, in a letter to Sen. Theodore Bilbo (D-MS), 1944

I've been looking for a long time and this is undoubtedly the most comprehensive book concerning WV history you will ever find. It isn't a biased account at all yet I have to say it leaves out some important details. The book does cover everything but only cursorily in many cases. Still a very, very good read for historians and laymen alike.

-A student of History, Biology and Anthropology

I had this book for WV History of course. Its awful so long and drawn out. Some history is good, but its so boring and word. Way to much detail expecailly in the civil war and labor chapters. A very hard read!!