A Living History of the Ozarks (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...The book also provides a generous suggested reading list and is nicely indexed, so that if you want to visit Grand Gulf or Elephant Rocks, you can easily learn what is there and how to get there." -- The Springfield News-Leader, September 20, 1992

"Ozarks book should be read in advance and in entirety: Phyllis Rossiter's A Living History of the Ozarks is a history book first, a travel book a distant second... it is filled mostly with a detailed accounting of the development of the Ozarks region." -- The Kansas City Star, August 30, 1992

"Phyllis Rossiter's book... is more in-depth than most guides. There are masses of history, cultural information, explanations of names and of colloquial terms, accompanied by black-and-white photographs... the focus definitely is on providing detailed stories and background information to help travelers appreciate the area to its fullest." -- The New Orleans Times Picayune, October 23, 1994

"Rossiter takes the reader through the six areas into which she has divided the Ozarks. She provides a thorough examination of each area's history and sights and includes... photos, maps and charts, and lists... complete the book's many useful features." -- Missouri Libraries, March/April, 1993

"The first pleasure came in discovering the introductory section, called 'Guideposts to Living History,' which provides a splendid overview, not only to the remainder of this book but to the region as a whole. Although this book will be a resource for the increasing number of travellers interested in learning more about the history and heritage of the area they are visiting, Ozarks residents, as well, will gain new insights and understandings about the place they live... The book demands maps and pictures and they are supplied, lots of them, illustrating and explaining the places described in the text... are a treat to browse through." -- Dr. Robert Gilmore, OzarksWatch, Summer-Fall, 1992

"What she manages to do is to offer a rich story of the way of life in the Ozarks, a story of human condition that has long fascinated people, those who know the region and those whose only knowledge of it stems too often from inappropriate and false images... When Ms. Rossiter writes that 'In the Ozarks, things have a way of skewing into the fourth dimension and time seems somehow out of synch,' she has nailed down the real meaning of the fabulous region." -- Log Cabin Weekender, Conway, Arkansas, July 25, 1993

Product Description

To have your very own copy of this book is to have at your fingertips a guide to the where and why of those pieces of history that enrich and make any stay in the Ozarks unique, be it for days or years. Phyllis Rossiter has documented the history of the region as only she can. An Ozarks native, she is an award-winning writer and photographer, a conservationist and lecturer who has defined with carefully-researched words and rare photos the region's natural beauty and the legendary mystique of the mountains and miles, the mills and whistle-stops, the crystal waterways and cool caves, places that are on the map, and the ones that remain mostly as memories.

A Living History of the Ozarks has won the Major Work Award of the Missouri Writers' Guild. The Epilogue from the book won the Dan Saults Award of the Ozarks Writers' League.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 487 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company (June 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882898019
• ISBN-13: 978-0882898018
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #442,351 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #27 in	Books > Travel > United States > States > Missouri
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The rest of the story . . ., April 6, 1999

By A Customer

When the subject of the Ozarks comes up in South Alabama, the first word to pop into the minds of most people is "Branson". Phyllis Rossiter's book proves there is much, much more to that complex and beautiful part of the country and its people.

Anybody planning to visit the Ozarks, or anybody living there, would do well to invest in a copy. As a travel guide, it shows there is something in the Ozarks for every taste. It provides great suggestions for fascinating, varied and unexpected things to see and the best ways to see them. Ms. Rossiter also gives addresses for getting more information about the places she describes.

In addition to its excellence as a travel guide, A LIVING HISTORY comes with a special bonus: Ms. Rossiter's insight into history and the Ozark culture and psyche. That insight will help explain the reasons for the uniqueness of the area and its people. Even native Ozarkers will come away with a better understanding of themselves. Don't head for the Ozarks without it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Info, February 23, 2008

By	Bit Twiddler "Ron" (MO USA) - See all my reviews

Just moved here and this book is providing lots of background information plus wonderful day trips around the area!

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the price, October 15, 2009

By	RobRoy (Lakeview, Arkansas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

If you like history and live in the Ozarks, you should buy this book. If you do not enjoy history, you will not read more than one or two chapters describing your town. I moved to the Ozarks and read and enjoyed the entire 460 pages, even areas I do not plan to visit. The book is thorough, well written and interesting.