Watauga County: Images of America

$21.99 - ISBN 0738567469 softcover, Arcadia Publishing

Following the Old Buffalo and Nickajack Trails, Native Americans and early settlers were the first citizens of present-day Watauga County. In 1752, Bishop August Spangenberg, the earliest documented explorer, traveled through this steep terrain and noted the necessity of crawling on hands and knees to stay balanced. Located among the Blue Ridge Mountains, Watauga County grew slowly with few settlers until after the Civil War. The Boone and Blowing Rock Turnpike began to open up the area to commerce and tourists in the 1880s. The establishment of the Watauga Academy in 1899, several ski resorts, and upscale residential developments has changed the landscape. The towns of Boone and Blowing Rock have been listed as some of the best small towns in America and continue to attract new residents and visitors.

Washington County Revisited: Images of America

$19.99 - ISBN 0738553352 softcover, over 200 photos Arcadia Publishing

A companion to Images of America: Washington County, this book, Washington County Revisited, depicts more of the area's rich history. In an attempt to thoroughly cover this county in Virginia, Washington County Revisited explores the history of settlements that were once major community centers, including Lodi, Blackwell's Chapel, Rich Valley, Lindell, Bethel, Taylor's Valley, Hayter's Gap, Clinchburg, and Alvarado. Learn even more of the fascinating history surrounding the railroad towns of Damascus, Glade Spring, and Meadowview. Officially formed in 1776 from Fincastle County, the county was named for Gen. George Washington, who was then serving as commander in chief of the Continental Army. Washington County holds the distinction of being the first geographical region to be named for the first U.S. president. With more than 200 images, Washington County Revisited provides a unique visit to this rural region that once served as a gateway to the West along the Great Wagon Road and saw thousands of settlers and goods pass through to uncharted lands.

Self-Rising Flowers

$12.95

Collection of fictional stories about Appalachian women...their strength, wit and determination to overcome troubles.

"The indomitable spirit and tenacity of mountain women flows through this entire book. Readers will be encouraged to straighten their shoulders, hold their heads high and master the hurdles they face" -Adda Leah Davis, author of Lucinda's Mountain

Washington County: Images of America

$19.99 - ISBN 0-7385-4372-1 softcover, over 200 photos Arcadia Publishing

With over 200 images, Washington County provides an intricate visit to the yesteryear of this rural region with scenes of the Virginia Creeper trains and railroads and the larger communities of Damascus, Meadowview, and Glade Spring, as well as early photographs of the smaller communities such as Benhams, Clinchburg, Mendota, and Hayter’s Gap. Donna Akers Warmuth is a native of Washington County and author of several other books in the Images of America series. She has gathered fascinating images from private collectors and local museums to provide a pictorial retrospective celebrating the unique county’s history.

The Zinnia Tales

$12.95 - Mountain Girl Press

A collection of fictional short stories about Appalachian women, written by women with Appalachian roots, it is already receiving high praise from acclaimed fiction writers such as Deborah Smith, New York Times bestselling author of A Place to Call Home. Smith states, “A warm and wonderful look at the sisterhood of women. These stories truly celebrate the womenfolk of the south. Heartfelt, wise and insightful. The Zinnia Tales are stories to cherish.” Award winning writer Cissy Hassell, author of Nowhere, says, “The Zinnia Tales are powerfully told tales, very touching and heartwarming, rich with characters of the Appalachians that burst with life and capture your heart.”

Writers from Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia, Ohio, Wisconsin and Florida contributed to the story collection. Mountain Girl Press Publisher, Tammy Robinson Smith says, “We were thrilled with the way each writer captured the true spirit of the Mountain Girl Press mission which is to publish fiction that celebrates the wit, humor and strength of Appalachian women.” The Zinnia Tales will strike a note with anyone who has ever called the mountains home, or just wishes to visit for awhile.

Legends, Stories and Ghostly Tales of Abingdon and Washington County Virginia

$14.95 - ISBN 1-59513-006-3

Learn of the folklore, history and ghosts of the region with these stories that make the past come alive. Hangings, hauntings, preachers, spies, soldiers, elopements, scalpings...it's all in these tales. Meet the ghosts of the Martha Washington Inn, the Barter Theatre, the Virginia Creeper Trail, Emory and Henry College, Glade Spring, and Saltville. Relive the pioneer days though tales of Indian attacks, the Overmountain Men and their amazing journey, and Daniel Boone's travels.

The readers who is willing to listen to these tales will be intrigued, surprised, and perhaps frightened, but will gain a deeper appreciation for the past.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina: Images of America

$19.99 - ISBN 0-7385-1647-3 softcover, almost 200 photos Arcadia Publishing

Almost 200 historic photographs and postcards of the quaint village of Blowing Rock in this book will provide the reader with a fascinating glimpse into the town's past.

Boone, North Carolina: Images of America

$19.99 - ISBN 0-7385-1541-8 softcover, 128 pages, 200 photos Arcadia Publishing

Collection of 200 historic photographs and postcards of Boone, showing its growth from a hunting camp to the thriving diverse college town of today.

Abingdon, Virginia: Images of America

$19.99 - ISBN 0-7385-1489-6 softcover, 128 pages, 200 photos Arcadia Publishing Available through bookstores, on-line retailers, Historical Society of Washington County, and all over Abingdon.

This is a collection of historic photographs and postcards of Abingdon, Virginia. The history of this unique town is shown through fascinating, rare images of buildings, churches, schools, streets, people and businesses. The history of Abingdon comes alive for the reader.

Plumb Full of History: A Story of Abingdon, Virginia

[ Read Exerpt ]

$9.95 - ISBN 1932158782 softcover, 64 pages, illustrated by DeAnna Akers Gobble High Country Publishers, Ltd. Available through bookstores, on-line retailers, Historical Society of Washington County, and all over Abingdon.

Abingdon's Plumb Alley Day festival forms the setting for this story of two children discovering much more than just the history of their grandmother's hometown. The engaging plot and lively characters of this book for middle grade readers will make the historical knowledge of Abingdon stick with hardly an awareness that the reader is learning anything.