A History of Appalachia
Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
Published: February 2001
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 292
ISBN-13: 9780813121697
Subjects: American history; Social history; United States - State & Local - General; Social Situations And Conditions; United States Local History; History - General History; History: American; Virginia; Western & Pacific Coast states; Sociology - General; Appalachian Region; History
First sentence: THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS are located entirely within the temperate zone, from about 33 to 48 degrees north latitude.
Description: "The Appalachian region, extending from Alabama in the South up to the Allegheny highlands of Pennsylvania, has historically been characterized by its largely rural populations, its rich natural resources, and its undeveloped land.".

"The rugged geography allowed Native American societies, especially the Cherokee, to flourish. Early white settlers tended to favor a self-sufficient approach to farming. But the the growth of a market economy and competition from other agricultural areas of the country sparked an economic decline of the region's rural population at least as early as 1830. The Civil War and the sometimes hostile legislation of Reconstruction made life even more difficult for rural Appalachians.".

"Recent history of the region is marked by the corporate exploitation of oil, gas, and coal resources. Today, radio, television, and the internet provide residents direct links to cultures from all over the world. Touching upon folk traditions, health care, the environment, higher education, the role of blacks and women, and much more, Richard Drake offers a compelling social history of a unique American region."--BOOK JACKET.