The People of the New River: Oral Histories from the Ashe, Alleghany and Watauga Counties of North Carolina (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780786411900)

Said to be one of the oldest rivers in the world, the New River begins at two locations in Watauga County in northwest North Carolina. From there the North and South Forks meander north through Ashe County until they meet near the Virginia border and continue through a corner of Alleghany County before turning north again into Virginia and West Virginia and on to the Ohio. Settlers came to the fertile bottom lands along the New River during the 18th and 19th centuries and many of their descendants still live there today. In this collection of oral histories, 33 people in Ashe, Alleghany, and Watauga counties--most of whom are in their 70s, 80s, and 90s--share memories of their lives and work on the New River and their hopes for its future. They tell of floods, snows, sickness, the Great Depression, education, religion, quilting, weaving and other crafts, and the fight against a large power company that planned to flood thousands of acres of land. They also recall how the river has been central to their lives in providing food, transportation and recreation.

Author: Leland R. Cooper
ISBN-10: 0786411902
ISBN-13: 9780786411900
Publisher: McFarland and Company, Inc.
Language: English
Published: 07/31/2001
Pages: 306
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.89lbs
Size: 8.86h x 5.92w x 0.66d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 05/01/2002 pg. 1646
Reference and Research Bk News 11/01/2001 pg. 54