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Asheville etc. Civil War Novel Ghost Riders

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[quote][i]Originally posted by asegal[/i]
[br]Hi all.

I would like to recommend the following novel, which I have just finished: _Ghost Riders_ by Sharyn McCrumb.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0525947183/qid=1062722478/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/102-7670447-0378566?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Bestselling North Carolina writer McCrumb (The Songcatcher, etc.) returns with another epic ballad of a novel, a multi-tiered Civil War story that links past and present with an otherworldly twist. Tough, resilient Malinda Blalock is dismayed when her husband, Keith, leaves their Appalachian mountain farmstead to join up with the Confederate Army in hopes of earning money. Not content to wait out the war at home, spitfire Malinda cuts her hair and enlists herself as "Sam," Keith's younger brother. Their tour of duty is cut short by a deliberate scheme to get themselves discharged, and they move on to become do-gooder outlaws, known throughout the Appalachians. This story is enmeshed with the elaborately reimagined life of historical figure Zebulon Baird Vance: his early success in law and party politics, his time in Congress, his stint as commander of North Carolina troops, and his election (and subsequent re-election) as governor of North Carolina during the Civil War. Running parallel to these story lines is a dilemma plaguing present-day, Civil War re-enactment actors camped out in the Appalachians. As they restage a violent piece of Southern history, ghosts of Civil War soldiers begin appearing at their campsites and also to area residents. It's up to locals Rattler and Nora Bonesteel, both possessing the gift of "sight," to quell the ghosts' hostilities. McCrumb writes high-spirited historical fiction, her lush, dense narratives shored up by thorough research and convincing period detail. Her latest is another harmonious, folksy blend of history and backwoods lore. 
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. 
-----------------------

I really enjoyed it, esp. the segments on Vance, who was a truly incredible historical figure: a firm advocate of the rule of law and habeas corpus during war, a champion of religious tolerance, and a 
wit to boot!

...Makes one wonder what our reenactors might awake? [W((^]
Just kidding.

Best to all, 
Ariel Segal

P.S. I know this stretches the Six Degrees of Separation, but since it is about the Appalachian West of NC, I thought it was close enough!

[/quote]

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T O P I C R E V I E W
asegal	Posted - September 04 2003 : 8:56:49 PM Hi all. I would like to recommend the following novel, which I have just finished: _Ghost Riders_ by Sharyn McCrumb. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0525947183/qid=1062722478/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/102-7670447-0378566?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 Editorial Reviews From Publishers Weekly Bestselling North Carolina writer McCrumb (The Songcatcher, etc.) returns with another epic ballad of a novel, a multi-tiered Civil War story that links past and present with an otherworldly twist. Tough, resilient Malinda Blalock is dismayed when her husband, Keith, leaves their Appalachian mountain farmstead to join up with the Confederate Army in hopes of earning money. Not content to wait out the war at home, spitfire Malinda cuts her hair and enlists herself as "Sam," Keith's younger brother. Their tour of duty is cut short by a deliberate scheme to get themselves discharged, and they move on to become do-gooder outlaws, known throughout the Appalachians. This story is enmeshed with the elaborately reimagined life of historical figure Zebulon Baird Vance: his early success in law and party politics, his time in Congress, his stint as commander of North Carolina troops, and his election (and subsequent re-election) as governor of North Carolina during the Civil War. Running parallel to these story lines is a dilemma plaguing present-day, Civil War re-enactment actors camped out in the Appalachians. As they restage a violent piece of Southern history, ghosts of Civil War soldiers begin appearing at their campsites and also to area residents. It's up to locals Rattler and Nora Bonesteel, both possessing the gift of "sight," to quell the ghosts' hostilities. McCrumb writes high-spirited historical fiction, her lush, dense narratives shored up by thorough research and convincing period detail. Her latest is another harmonious, folksy blend of history and backwoods lore. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. ----------------------- I really enjoyed it, esp. the segments on Vance, who was a truly incredible historical figure: a firm advocate of the rule of law and habeas corpus during war, a champion of religious tolerance, and a wit to boot! ...Makes one wonder what our reenactors might awake? Just kidding. Best to all, Ariel Segal P.S. I know this stretches the Six Degrees of Separation, but since it is about the Appalachian West of NC, I thought it was close enough!
11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Bookworm	Posted - February 18 2004 : 4:22:34 PM Thanks for the recommendation, Ariel. I've just read this book and enjoyed it immensely. Knew nothing of the Blalocks or Zebulon Vance before reading this, so I learned a lot too. I've read and enjoyed all of Sharyn McCrumb's ballad series (the ones listed above by Doc M), but "Ghost Riders" might not have jumped out at me from the library shelf if not for your recommendation. My favorite of the ballad series is "She Walks These Hills," which is a lot closer to LOTM than six degrees, for at least two reasons. 1) Early in the book a disc jockey with the on-air moniker "Hank the Yank" is explaining why he moved down from Connecticut: "If you've driven the Blue Ridge Parkway on an unclouded day, or marveled at North Carolina's mountains on film in 'The Last of the Mohicans,' I don't reckon you'll wonder that I stayed." (Trying to sound Southern, is he?!) 2) One of the book's several plotlines concerns the abduction of a young woman by Indians in the area that eventually became Mitchell County, NC.
Doc M	Posted - September 16 2003 : 11:19:06 AM Thanks for the recommendation, asegal! Sharyn McCrumb is one of Doc M's favorite authors. She's writtten a series of funny mysteries featuring a character called Elizabeth McPherson, but her best are a series of stories set in little town in the Smokies featuring Sheriff Spencer Arrowood. They are filled with Appalachian myths, wonderful characters, and an eerie atmosphere that haunts you long after you've finished the book. If you have never read anything by her before, start with: 1) If Ever I Return Pretty Peggy-o 2) The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter 3) She Walks These Hills 4) The Rosewood Casket They're all in paperback, or should be available at your local library. XXXX Doc M
richfed	Posted - September 16 2003 : 06:03:56 AM Yep! That's the one ... thanks ... gettin' old! FAST!
CT•Ranger	Posted - September 15 2003 : 8:24:56 PM quote: Originally posted by richfed Isn't there already a movie about this? With Toby McGuire? Or, am I thinking of something else? Anyway, Cameron's Cabin is near the Zeb Vance place. Rich, I believe you are thinking about "Ride with the Devil" which takes place in Missouri/Kansas, and is about Missouri bushwhackers during the Civil War. An excellent film which I watch often!
Kaylynn44	Posted - September 06 2003 : 7:32:15 PM OK, as long as the ghost is confined to the Geneva cabins, then that will be fine with me;-) I should be used to ghosts by now from all of the ghost tours that my stepdaughter has dragged me to. In fact, she is starting her own ghost tour business, hearse and all;-) Love, Kay
Gadget Girl	Posted - September 05 2003 : 10:43:20 PM No worries, Kay...this was at the Geneva Cabins on the Lake. I was only gonna tell Ariel about the...um..."woman" of a shadowy form that joined us late one night. I won't even bother with the other skitterings we saw out of the corners of our eyes. All this, just after pictures were taken of the multitude of vultures sitting on the grave stones in the nearby cemetary. Of course, this WAS close to Halloween...... GG
Kaylynn44	Posted - September 05 2003 : 9:34:40 PM Ariel, if you make it next summer, I'll tell you my story of seeing a ghost at Lake Lure last fall. Right, Theresa???? ====================================================================== OK Diana, just as long as you just tell Ariel and I don't have to hear it since I am planning on renting a house on Lake Lure!!! I contacted the owners of the house and they said that the Geneva was very close to this house. I didn't want to get too far from the group. Of course, if I start hearing ghost stories about the lake, then I might have to stay at the Geneva with the covers pulled over my head Love, Kay
Theresa	Posted - September 05 2003 : 5:28:22 PM quote: Ariel, if you make it next summer, I'll tell you my story of seeing a ghost at Lake Lure last fall. Right, Theresa???? GG WOOOO...indeed. Right before time to go to bed, too....and it weren't afraid of no crowd of folk either...
richfed	Posted - September 05 2003 : 12:55:48 PM Isn't there already a movie about this? With Toby McGuire? Or, am I thinking of something else? Anyway, Cameron's Cabin is near the Zeb Vance place.
Gadget Girl	Posted - September 05 2003 : 10:02:14 AM Thanks for the comments Ariel! This is a book I have been waiting to get. I like Sharon McCrumb's writing, particularly the Ballad of Frankie Silver - set in Burke County, NC - home of our own Soldier #2. I have read about the Blalocks and they were indeed a colorful pair of Bushwhackers! Many of the folks living in the Appalachian Mountains were sympathizers of the north, particularly on the slavery issue, because large plots of land couldn't be farmed on hillsides, so they didn't feel the need to preserve that lifestyle. The Blalocks actually intended to join the Confederate army only long enough to get close enough to federal lines so they could skip lines and join the North. They were sent to Kinston, NC (only 11 miles from were I sit right now!) and this was no where near the Federal lines, so they decided to hatch the plot to get discharged. After returning home, the Blalocks hid out on Grandfather Mountain (can't go to the Highland Games there without imagining them). Many deserters and Northern sympathizers hid out in the mountains, including I believe Linville Caverns. Here's a link to a more info on the Blalocks: http://www.wtv-zone.com/civilwar/kmblalock.html Ariel, if you make it next summer, I'll tell you my story of seeing a ghost at Lake Lure last fall. Right, Theresa???? Rich, isn't the Elk Hunt near the home of Zeb Vance? Another reason to come next summer, Ariel! There is also a legend about Ghost Riders being heard over Chimney Rock - I'll have to look that one up!! GG
Wilderness Woman	Posted - September 04 2003 : 9:25:52 PM This sounds like another winner! I read "The Songcatcher" by this author and liked it very much. I like her way of interweaving two stories together... one in the past and one in the present... that are very connected to each other. Also, the character Nora Bonesteele was in The Songcatcher as well. Thanks for the heads-up on this book. I'm going to look for it at my library.

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