The Good Life Almanac

Book excerpt: An almanac of stories on the microcosm of the Appalachian region during a period of transition, this book was published in 1975. Written to showcase the stories and folklore passed on in the mountains, the tales chosen are typical of the nineteenth century. Stories talk about the dependence on water transportation, the excitement of the coming railroad, the self-contained nature of community recreation, and the interdependence and independence of small community's daily life. In addition to stories, traditional regional recipes are included in order to demonstrate further what it was like to live in the mountains.