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American Mountain People by Robert L. Breeden ➤ National Geographic Society, 1973
American Mountain People by Robert L. Breeden National Geographic Society, 1973
Title: American Mountain People
Author: Robert L. Breeden
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: National Geographic Society, 1973
ISBN 10: 0870441264
Size: 7 X 10.25 * 199 pages
Synopsis: The Foreword: DEEP IN THE HOLLOWS of my native West Virginia, on steep slopes, and along narrow river valleys, there still live a few hardy individuals who have spent their lives virtually in sight of their homes. Most of them-like their fellow mountaineers elsewhere- have a special bond with their hills. In spite of hardships they have chosen to remain there. Some might say "the mountains have a holt'"' on them. Others might call it "bein' part of the land."
Even as a youngster growing up in the state's southern coal fields, I sensed the magnetism of the mountains for the people who live among them. Years later, after my wife and I had left the Kanawha Valley to attend college in the Midwest, this affinity became still more apparent to me when my parents once visited us. They would like to leave West Virginia, they said, and come to live nearby. My father, a coal mine electrician for most of his life, quickly found work. But as we began to talk of moving vans and a new house, I noticed that he spoke with less and less enthusiasm. Finally he called me aside and said quietly, "I've decided not to make the change." And then he added, "You might not understand, but I would miss my mountains too much."
I did indeed understand.
Perhaps the attraction of the mountains stems from the feeling of strength they impart, offering security to those who share the valleys, coves, and slopes. Or it may come from a desire of the people to hold on to a simple, unhurried life-to dwell in the privacy a ridge or a hollow can offer, something outsiders might look upon as isolation. Perhaps the spell the mountains cast derives in part from the serenity they evoke, a serenity often enhanced by small things known to every mountaineer: moonlit ridges set against a darkening winter sky; the lingering echo of a locomotive whistle and the rumble of a train breaking the stillness of a valley in the middle of the night.
Simply, sensitively, through glimpses into the lives of American mountain people from the Appalachians to the Cascades, the photographer and the authors of this book have captured something of the "hold" of the mountains, and have revealed the strong spirit of independence that seems instilled in the people who live there. Those West Virginians who guided their mountain homeland to statehood more than a century ago no doubt knew that magnetism and sense of freedom. They surely meant for the motto they selected for their state to apply to all hill people the country over: Montani Semper Liberi-"Moun- taineers are always free." ROBERT L. BREEDEN
Overall Condition: Good + It has very minimal wear to the cover and no holes or tears. The dust jacket is not included. The binding has minimal wear. The pages are undamaged with no creasing or tearing, no pencil underlining of text, no highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins. There are no missing pages; see images.
Secure shipping bubble-wrapped in a new box/mailer.
2026--U.S. shipping for this (Two Pounds Media Mail) is $5.22 with tracking.
Multiple items will be combined for the lowest shipping price.
International Shipping cost is based on the destination so inquire before buying. Mobile users must scroll to the bottom and click on 'use desktop site' to bring up the Ask a Question link which sends me an email.
(PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S.)
==========================================================================================================================
Just about all the books are USED books. Some have been used more gently than others. Some have been in libraries and have typical library extras. Some are so old and/or interesting that they are being offered for the sake of preservation regardless of the condition they are in. If the condition of the book is very important to you, please feel free to click the 'Ask seller a question' link and I will tell you more.
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Title: American Mountain People
Author: Robert L. Breeden
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: National Geographic Society, 1973
ISBN 10: 0870441264
Size: 7 X 10.25 * 199 pages
Synopsis: The Foreword: DEEP IN THE HOLLOWS of my native West Virginia, on steep slopes, and along narrow river valleys, there still live a few hardy individuals who have spent their lives virtually in sight of their homes. Most of them-like their fellow mountaineers elsewhere- have a special bond with their hills. In spite of hardships they have chosen to remain there. Some might say "the mountains have a holt'"' on them. Others might call it "bein' part of the land."
Even as a youngster growing up in the state's southern coal fields, I sensed the magnetism of the mountains for the people who live among them. Years later, after my wife and I had left the Kanawha Valley to attend college in the Midwest, this affinity became still more apparent to me when my parents once visited us. They would like to leave West Virginia, they said, and come to live nearby. My father, a coal mine electrician for most of his life, quickly found work. But as we began to talk of moving vans and a new house, I noticed that he spoke with less and less enthusiasm. Finally he called me aside and said quietly, "I've decided not to make the change." And then he added, "You might not understand, but I would miss my mountains too much."
I did indeed understand.
Perhaps the attraction of the mountains stems from the feeling of strength they impart, offering security to those who share the valleys, coves, and slopes. Or it may come from a desire of the people to hold on to a simple, unhurried life-to dwell in the privacy a ridge or a hollow can offer, something outsiders might look upon as isolation. Perhaps the spell the mountains cast derives in part from the serenity they evoke, a serenity often enhanced by small things known to every mountaineer: moonlit ridges set against a darkening winter sky; the lingering echo of a locomotive whistle and the rumble of a train breaking the stillness of a valley in the middle of the night.
Simply, sensitively, through glimpses into the lives of American mountain people from the Appalachians to the Cascades, the photographer and the authors of this book have captured something of the "hold" of the mountains, and have revealed the strong spirit of independence that seems instilled in the people who live there. Those West Virginians who guided their mountain homeland to statehood more than a century ago no doubt knew that magnetism and sense of freedom. They surely meant for the motto they selected for their state to apply to all hill people the country over: Montani Semper Liberi-"Moun- taineers are always free." ROBERT L. BREEDEN
Overall Condition: Good + It has very minimal wear to the cover and no holes or tears. The dust jacket is not included. The binding has minimal wear. The pages are undamaged with no creasing or tearing, no pencil underlining of text, no highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins. There are no missing pages; see images.
Secure shipping bubble-wrapped in a new box/mailer.
2026--U.S. shipping for this (Two Pounds Media Mail) is $5.22 with tracking.
Multiple items will be combined for the lowest shipping price.
International Shipping cost is based on the destination so inquire before buying. Mobile users must scroll to the bottom and click on 'use desktop site' to bring up the Ask a Question link which sends me an email.
(PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S.)
==========================================================================================================================
Just about all the books are USED books. Some have been used more gently than others. Some have been in libraries and have typical library extras. Some are so old and/or interesting that they are being offered for the sake of preservation regardless of the condition they are in. If the condition of the book is very important to you, please feel free to click the 'Ask seller a question' link and I will tell you more.
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