Keepsakes for the Heart: An Historical Biography (Paperback)

by Amelia Ruth Townsend (Author), Dink Shackleford (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Sarah Bishop Hart never knew a home or true family, but with her simple mountain philosophy she faced the Great Depression, two World Wars, the women's movement, and other upheavals of the 20th century.

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Overmountain Press (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570722013
• ISBN-13: 978-1570722011
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,691,440 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What A Story and What A History Lesson!, July 1, 2003

By	Lorene "Reader in NC" - See all my reviews

This is a book everyone should read. What hardship and cruelty this family endured! Having been raised in Big Stone Gap and especially the Wildcat section, I heard stories much like this when I was growing up. Amelia Townsend and Dink Shackleford have combined their talents for a sure-fire winner in this one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Women with GRIT !, August 27, 2007

By	Dee-Dee (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This biography was very interesting, if sometimes maddening, because of all the many hardships some of the Appalachian people had to go through, especially the women. The men mostly ruled the roost back then, and women coped, if they could. It follows a mountain family with many children and then one of the daughters who grew up throughout the book. I liked the little sections of pure history interspersed within the story to help you understand more about the people and some of the challenges they faced. There is quite a bit about the beginnings of the coal mining industry in the Appalachaian area, which grew very large for a while, then started slowing down with the introduction of technology and more stringent safety rules. It tells some about the "caste" system that developed where the bosses and foremen lived on top of the hill in the nicer, larger houses, and the workers lived at the bottom, and knew their "place".
This book takes place in the past century, from early 1900's until about 1990. Many of the people who read a loaned copy want to get a copy for themselves.
Get this. You will find it fascinating, but prepare to have your emotions stirred.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and moving, November 19, 2002

By	trudy meeks (Chicago, Il) - See all my reviews

This book reminds me of the movie, Places in the Heart. Just like Sally Field in that movie, Sarah and her mother, Cammie, had to fight for every scrap they got. And to set her life against the history of the time made me understand and pull for these women.