Foxfire 8 (Paperback)

~ Margie Bennett (Editor), (Editor) "The following section features five mountain people from our area who are different from many others we have interviewed only in the fact that they..." (more)
Key Phrases: southern folk potters, ball opener, brood cock, North Carolina, Clyde Gibson, South Carolina (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Life and customs of the Appalachian region of the South are described.

From the Publisher

Southern folk pottery from pug mills, ash glazes, and groundhog kilns to face jugs, churns and roosters; mule swapping, chicken fighting, and more are included in this eighth volume.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; 1st edition (March 20, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385177410
• ISBN-13: 978-0385177412
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #89,221 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Eighth Book in This Extraordinary Series on "The Old Days", November 24, 2005

By	James Choma - See all my reviews

The Foxfire series is the creation of English teacher Elliott Wiggington (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.

In this eighth volume, the focus is on folk pottery -- how its made, the different styles, and interviews with the artists. Most interesting is the firing process and the history of the kiln. You'll also find information on mule swapping and chicken fighting.

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource!, November 1, 2009

By	K. Balch (Fanwood, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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This book gives a vivid picture of many aspects of rural life. I was most interested in the pottery-making information, and the descriptions of the technique are excellent. The anecdotes by working potters are priceless.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting read, October 14, 2009

By	Carol B. (Gainesville, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased all 12 Foxfire volumes in one purchase. After having read and thumbed-through them, I can honestly state that these books are invaluable. I was impressed with some of the "old skills" that were documented by these group of students. I personally live in the north Georgia area and can vouge for the fact that many of the techniques documented in the books are indeed accurate. I do recommend any of the Foxfire series for individuals who, like our family, strive to live an independant lifestyle, away from the "modern" ways of doing things. Some things you keep from the modern lifestyle, but many, many are easy to discard. A good read.