The Army of Tennessee  •  Stanley F. Horn HISTORY •  1993 •  PAPER  • 503 PAGES Readable and accurate, this history of the Army of Tennessee has a welcome focus on personalities and events rather than dry tactical information. (WAR58, $24.95)
Army of the Heartland, The Army of Tennessee 1861-1862  •  Thomas Lawrence Connelly HISTORY •  2001 •  PAPER  • 305 PAGES The first volume in Connelly's definitive history of the Army of Tennessee, the most comprehensive on the subject. The second volume is also available (WAR57). (WAR56, $20.95)
Asheville Map  •  Universal Map Enterprises MAP A road map of Asheville, North Carolina at a scale of 1:28,000. (USS206, $4.95)
Autumn of Glory, The Army of Tennessee 1862-1865  •  Thomas Lawrence Connelly HISTORY •  2001 •  PAPER  • 558 PAGES The second volume in Connelly's definitive history of the Army of Tennessee, the most comprehensive on the subject. The first volume is also available (WAR56). (WAR57, $24.95)
The Big Year, A Tale Of Man, Nature, And Fowl Obsession  •  Mark Obmascik NATURAL HISTORY •  2005 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES Obmascik, himself an over-the-edge birder, recounts with glee and page-turning detail the race to see the most birds in North America in a year, a quest that has his three competitors on the road at a moments notice, heading out in the middle of the night, and combing the beaches. As he so winningly demonstrates, these people are driven. (BRD29, $14.00)
Biltmore Estate: The Most Distinguished Private Place  •  John M Bryan ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1994 •  HARD COVER  • 157 PAGES A detailed architectural description of the Biltmore estate, once the largest private residence in the US, featuring hundreds of color photographs. (USS205, $50.00)
The Birdwatcher's Companion to North American Birdlife  •  Christopher W. Leahy  •  Gordon Morrison NATURAL HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 1072 PAGES A handsome, fully illustrated survey of the birds of North America, organized A to Z, covering birds, bird biology, conservation and birdwatching. Published in cooperation with the American Birding Association. (NAM21, $19.95)
The Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, An Explorer's Guide  •  Jim Hargan GUIDEBOOK •  2002 •  PAPER  • 448 PAGES An illustrated, practical guide to the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Hargan includes his recommendations on scenic routes, local culture, outdoor activities and where to dine, shop and stay. Includes 22 maps and 75 black and white photos. (USS299, $19.95)
Blue Ridge Parkway Guide: Grandfather Mountain to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Vol. 2  •  William G. Lord GUIDEBOOK •  1981 •  PAPER A mile-by-mile guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway from mile 291.9 to 469, describing the parks and wildlife a traveler will encounter on the route from Grandfather Mountain to Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Volume 1 is also available (USS245). (USS246, $8.95)
The Blue Valley, A Collection of Stories  •  Robert Morgan LITERATURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 176 PAGES Thirteen tales evoking life in the Southern Appalachians. Morgan delves into the region's Civil War past as well as quotidian contemporary life for his rich cast of characters. (USS303, $13.95)
Central Appalachian Wildflowers, A Field Guide to Common Wildflowers of the Central Appalachian Mountains  •  Barbara Medina  •  Victor Medina FIELD GUIDE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 183 PAGES A colorful field guide to the wildflowers of the Appalachians, from the Catskills to Shenandoah National Park. (USE285, $24.95)
Chattanooga, A Death Grip on the Confederacy  •  James Lee McDonough HISTORY •  1990 •  PAPER  • 318 PAGES Slightly less than comprehensive, this book is nevertheless a well written and informative account of the battles for Chattanooga. (WAR63, $17.95)
The Civil War in North Carolina  •  John Gilchrist Barrett HISTORY •  1995 •  PAPER  • 495 PAGES A scholarly account of the Civil War battles and confrontations in North Carolina, including the battle of Bentonville, Stoneman's raid and the siege of Fort Fisher. The author, a professor emeritus at the Virginia Military Institute, brings a lively writing style and immediacy to this comprehensive history. (USS112, $23.50)
Compass Guide North Carolina  •  Jim Hargan  •  Fodor's GUIDEBOOK •  2002 •  PAPER  • 352 PAGES This wonderfully written handbook features outstanding color photography, good maps and in-depth information on the culture, history and attractions of North Carolina. It includes archival photographs, literary excerpts and practical travel information. (USS111, $21.95)
The Craft Heritage Trails of Western North Carolina  •  Jay Fields REFERENCE •  2003 •  PAPER  • 145 PAGES A slim guide packed with color illustrations, outstanding route maps and hundreds of suggested galleries, studios and communities off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Produced under the auspices of "HandMade in America, it's an excellent guide to the history, communities and to the arts and crafts of the North Carolina mountains and Asheville, the " Santa Fe of the East". Organized into seven scenic loops. (USS204, $19.95)
Discovering North Carolina, A Tar Heel Reader  •  Jack Claiborne  •  William Price ANTHOLOGY •  1993 •  PAPER  • 390 PAGES This collection of writing on North Carolina covers a range of topics and time periods, with pieces by some of the state's most famous residents, from Andrew Jackson to Ava Gardner. (USS130, $21.95)
From Slavery to Freedom, A History of African Americans  •  John Hope Franklin HISTORY •  2000 •  HARD COVER  • 742 PAGES A classic history of the African American experience from ancient West African civilizations to the civil rights struggles of the 20th century. First published in 1947, and now in its eighth edition, this book has set the standard for comprehensive studies of the changing roles of Africans in the United States. (USA39, $75.00)
Geology Along Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park  •  Robert L. Badger FIELD GUIDE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 76 PAGES A slim, fully illustrated guide to the geology of the Shenandoah stretch of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Photos, maps and diagrams accompany Badger's geological history of the region. (USS301, $10.95)
Guide to the Battle of Shiloh  •  Jay Luvaas  •  Steven Bowman  •  Leonard Fullenkamp GUIDEBOOK •  1996 •  PAPER  • 253 PAGES Designed for the traveler, this is a history and guide to the battlefield of Shiloh, with directions for navigating the area. Each "stop" along the guided tour presents an important phase of the battle, and many are accompanied by an excerpt of an officer's first-hand account from the battlefield. Complemented by maps, many of which show the area as it was during the battle. (USS93, $12.95)
Handcrafted in the Blue Ridge: Discovering the Crafts, Artisans, and Studios of Western North Carolina  •  Irv Green  •  Andrea Gross GUIDEBOOK •  1997 •  PAPER  • 299 PAGES An illustrated guide to 150 crafts studios in western North Carolina. With phone numbers, hours of operation, prices and suggested accommodations. (USS202, $14.95)
The Handicraft Revival in Appalachia, 1930-1990  •  Gary Barker ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1991 •  HARD COVER A straight forward account of Appalachian crafts. (USS201, $32.95)
The Height of Our Mountains, Nature Writing from Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley  •  Michael P. Branch  •  Daniel J. Philippon ANTHOLOGY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 460 PAGES Covering from 1612 to 1996, this diverse anthology takes in fiction, memoir, journalism and ecology. With selections by George Washington, Willa Cather, William Carlos Williams and John James Audubon. (USS295, $25.00)
Historic Asheville  •  Bob Terrell HISTORY •  1997 •  PAPER (USS194, $14.95)
Hunting From Home, A Year Afield in the Blue Ridge Mountains  •  Christopher Camuto TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2003 •  HARD COVER  • 320 PAGES A meditation on the joys of a simple life led close to nature. Spending a year in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, Camuto finds pleasure in watching the seasons change and tracking animals in the hunt. (USS296, $24.95)
Inherit the Wind  •  Jerome Lawrence  •  Robert E. Lee LITERATURE •  1982 •  PAPER  • 129 PAGES A classic drama of a biology teacher accused of teaching evolution to his students, based on the events of the 1925 Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee. (USS180, $5.99)
Insiders' Guide to Virginia's Blue Ridge  •  Mary Alice Blackwell  •  Anne Causey GUIDEBOOK •  2005 •  PAPER  • 560 PAGES A practical, comprehensive guide to the region, now in its 8th edition. Two native Virginians share tips on enjoying the history, nature and culture of the Shenandoah Valley. Includes photos and maps. (USS302, $16.95)
Kingbird Highway, The Story of a Natural Obsession That Got a Little Out of Hand  •  Kenn Kaufman BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2006 •  PAPER  • 336 PAGES Kaufman's absorbing account of coming-of-age as a Wichita teenager on the road in 1973 with a summer's pay in his pocket and the goal of seeing as many birds as he could in a year. He tallied 671, impressive by any account and extraordinary if you count birds per buck. He did it all for $1,000. This cult classic was originally published in 1973. (BRD27, $14.00)
Mammals of North America  •  Roland W. Kays  •  Don E. Wilson FIELD GUIDE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES A comprehensive guide by two noted mammalogists and featuring 108 color plates, illustrating 442 species. Range maps and descriptive text on ecology, habitat and behavior complement the wonderful paintings. (NAM11, $19.95)
Mountain Homespun  •  Frances Louisa Goodrich ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1989 •  HARD COVER  • 192 PAGES A helpful introduction to the arts and crafts of the eastern American mountains with a focus on weaving, spinning and dying. (USS203, $36.25)
The Nature of Craft and the Penland Experience  •  Jean McLaughlin ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 228 PAGES An illustrated book of essays published in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Penland School of Craft in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Includes 137 color images of work created by Penland instructors. (USS374, $34.95)
No Better Place to Die, The Battle for Stones River  •  Peter Cozzens HISTORY •  1991 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES An accessible and thorough account of the Battle of Stones River, one of the few books written on this lesser-known campaign of the Civil War. (WAR53, $18.95)
The North Carolina Atlas, Portrait of a New Century  •  Douglas M. Orr  •  Alfred W. Stuart  •  James B. Hunt REFERENCE •  2000 •  HARD COVER  • 480 PAGES An authoritative introduction to North Carolina, this book is not only a nicely illustrated reference to a variety of regional facts, it is also an informative, up-to-date history of the state. (USS124, $40.00)
North Carolina Civil War Documentary  •  W. Buck Yearns HISTORY •  1994 •  HARD COVER  • 365 PAGES A collection of original documents, from newspapers and government documents to personal letters and diaries, that tell the story of the Civil War in North Carolina. (USS114, $32.50)
North Carolina Map  •  Universal Map Enterprises MAP A map of North Carolina at a scale of 1:1,000,000. (USS128, $4.95)
North Carolina, A History  •  William Stevens Powell HISTORY •  1988 •  PAPER  • 231 PAGES A short history of North Carolina for the general reader, published in celebration of the bicentennial and revised by the author in 1988. (USS126, $16.95)
The Outer Banks  •  Anthony Bailey TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 276 PAGES A tribute to the Outer Banks of North Carolina drawn from the author's travels there in 1995 during the time of the devastating Hurricane Gloria. It is a loving portrait by a British writer who describes in detail the nature and people of the region. (USS200, $18.95)
Remember D-Day, Both Sides Tell Their Stories  •  Ronald J. Drez  •  David Eisenhower HISTORY •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 64 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS An engaging and well-constructed history of the D-Day invasion for readers in grades 5 to 8, complete with anecdotes from soldiers, black-and-white photographs, plenty of historical information, and an introduction by David Eisenhower which paints a personal portrait of his grandfather, Dwight. (USA96, $17.95)
Return to Wild America, A Yearlong Search for the Continent's Natural Soul  •  Scott Weidensaul NATURAL HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 416 PAGES Weidensaul follows in the footsteps conservation pioneers Roger Tory Peterson and James Fisher in this homage to their 1953 journey, modern travelogue and eye-opening report on wilderness in America. (USA123, $15.00)
Robert E. Lee  •  Roy Blount, Jr. BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2003 •  HARD COVER  • 224 PAGES A lively short biographical essay in the excellent Penguin Lives series, matching writers and subjects. (USS377, $19.95)
The Science of Overabundance, Deer Ecology and Population Management  •  William J. McShea  •  H. Brian Underwood  •  John H. Rappole NATURAL HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 402 PAGES Using the example of the white-tailed and mule deer, this team of experts examine what it means for a species to become overpopulated. With a consideration of the divergent philosophies of population control, demographic consequences of high numbers of deer and the animal's impact on their environment. (BST82, $21.95)
Shenandoah National Park Map  •  Trails Illustrated MAP A detailed map of the park at a scale of 1:100,000. Printed on tear-resistant, waterproof paper for the outdoor enthusiast. (USS304, $11.95)
The Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862  •  Gary W. Gallagher HISTORY •  2003 •  HARD COVER  • 288 PAGES A collection of eight essays on the historic Civil War campaign. Stonewall Jackson emerged from the Shenandoah Valley a Confederate hero. (USS300, $34.95)
Sherman's March to the Sea, Hood's Tennessee Campaign and the Campaigns of 1865  •  Jacob D. Cox HISTORY •  1994 •  PAPER  • 265 PAGES A clear and cogent first-hand account of the last stage of the Civil War and Sherman's legendary march through Georgia as told by General Jacob D. Cox (1828-1900), commander at the battles of Franklin, Nashville and Fort Fisher. He went on to become governor of Ohio and a railroad executive. (WAR105, $16.95)
Shiloh  •  Shelby Foote LITERATURE •  1991 •  PAPER  • 226 PAGES In this acclaimed historical novel, Foote unravels the stories behind the two-day battle of Shiloh, one of the bloodiest campaigns of the Civil War. Told through the perspectives of a diverse cast of soldiers, Foote's well researched novel takes us deep into the southern woods near Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee. The "New York Times" called this "a brilliant book." (USS71, $13.95)
Shiloh -- in Hell before Night  •  James Lee McDonough HISTORY •  1986 •  PAPER  • 260 PAGES First published in the 1970s, this was the standard history of the Battle of Shiloh for a number of years. It's a readable, engaging account of events. (USS95, $17.95)
Stolen Continents, 500 Years of Conquest and Resistance in the Americas  •  Ronald Wright HISTORY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 464 PAGES A powerful history of imperialism and resistance in the Americas, with a focus on the Aztec, Maya, Inca, Cherokee and Iroquois. Wright's illuminating account, told largely from the point of view of the losers, details the rapid collapse of cultures and societies in the Americas following the arrival of the Europeans in 1492. Wright draws on an impressive range of archival material in reconstructing this classic account, originally published in 1993. Wright is also the author of Time Among the Maya. (NAM20, $17.00)
Stones River, Bloody Winter in Tennesse  •  James Lee McDonough HISTORY •  1983 •  PAPER Strong on primary sources, this is a detailed account of the bloody battle at Stones River. (WAR59, $23.95)
Stonewall in the Valley  •  Robert G. Tanner HISTORY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 599 PAGES A history of Stonewall Jackson's 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign. (USS297, $24.95)
Stonewall's Gold  •  Robert J. Mrazek LITERATURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES An engaging, fast-paced adventure yarn set against the backdrop of the Civil War. Mrazek evokes the last days of the confederacy in the ravished Shenandoah Valley while telling a tale of heroism, first love and family. 15-year-old Jamie embarks on a treacherous treasure hunt for Stonewall's Gold after finding a map in a dead man's pocket. Mrazek is a former U.S. Congressman and a leader in battlefield preservation. (USS298, $13.95)
The Terrible Sound, The Battle of Chickamauga  •  Peter Cozzens HISTORY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 688 PAGES Noted Civil War historian Peter Cozzens' massive, highly lauded study of the Battle of Chickamauga, well researched and engaging. (WAR55, $29.95)
This is Where We Live, Short Stories by 25 Contemporary North Carolina Writers  •  Michael McFee ANTHOLOGY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 296 PAGES A collection of short stories, written over the last 15 years, from North Carolina's most promising new writers. Included are pieces by Philip Gerard, Heather Ross Miller and June Spence. (USS129, $21.95)
To See Every Bird On Earth: A Father, A Son, And A Lifelong Obsession  •  Dan Koeppel NATURAL HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES Ostensibly about birds and birdwatching, this enormously appealing book is a memoir by a talented writer of his father, a father who happens to be in the elite cadre of major birders. Dan Koeppel chronicles his father's growing interest in birds in this enormously appealing memoir of a life devoted to birds. Richard is a member of an elite group who have tallied more than 7,000 species. Koeppel includes his own travels tagging along and brief profiles of other eccentric listers. (BRD28, $14.00)
Tweetsie Country  •  Mallory Hope Ferrell  •  Casey Holtzinger  •  Mike Pearsall HISTORY •  1991 •  HARD COVER  • 232 PAGES A photographic history of Tweetsie Country, the small (and much-loved) railroad that traveled the Blue Ridge in the late 19th-century. (USS247, $44.95)
The Verb to Bird, Sightings of an Avid Birder  •  Peter Cashwell NATURAL HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 269 PAGES A memoir of the birding life, its pleasures, obsessions and pitfalls. Based in the Carolinas (where he teaches English), Cashwell recounts in these essays the birds he's encountered, the why and wherefores of the birding life and some very entertaining anecdotes. Along the way, Cashwell traces his own development from casual novice to life lister (with a desire to see all the birds of North America). (BRD26, $14.95)