Ohio History Journal

BOOK NOTES

 

 

 

Women In Kentucky. By Helen Deiss Irvin. (Lexington: The University

Press of Kentucky, 1979. ¹³⁴p.; photographs, source listing.) Another con-

tribution to the Kentucky Bicentennial Bookshelf series, this work outlines

the history of the Kentucky women from 1775 through the 1930s. The six

chapters focus on the lives of settlers, workers, and reformers without dot-

ing on the contributions of exceptional Kentucky women. Based upon pub-

lished diaries, autobiographies, biographies, and newspapers, the book is an

example of solid research presented in a clear, concise, and quite readable

manner. Other states might do well to emulate this fine series of publica-

tions sponsored in part by the Kentucky Historical Events Celebration

Commission.

 

Frank R. Levstik

 

 

Local History Today: Papers Presented at Four Regional Workshops for

Local Historical Organizations in Indiana, June, 1978 - April, 1979. By

Richard Jensen, Robert M. Sutton, Thomas D. Clark, Thomas J. Schlereth,

with an introduction by Thomas K. Krasean. (Indianapolis: Indiana Histor-

ical Society, 1979. viii + 86p.; illustrations, notes, appendix.) This is a

compilation of four keynote addresses presented by Professors Richard Jen-

sen, Robert M. Sutton, Thomas D. Clark, and Thomas J. Schlereth at a

series of workshops for local historical organizations in Indiana. The themes

of the addresses were focused on local history and its value in the under-

standing of state and national heritage. While three of the addresses pre-

sent the traditional academic historian's approach to the theme, Professor

Schlereth focuses on "aboveground archaeology." He calls upon the reader

to recognize that the environment, both natural and man-made, is an im-

portant historical document. Much local history can be learned through

geological/geographic features, landscape, vegetation, place and street

names, buildings or working places. These papers are a useful contribution

to the literature of local history.

 

Frank R. Levstik

 

 

William Oliver Littick: Newspaper Publisher Extraordinary. By Clay Lit-

tick. (Baltimore: Gateway Press, Inc., 1979. xii + ⁸²p.; illustrations.) This

is an informal biography of the late manager and owner of the Zanesville

Times-Recorder. While detailing the career of a young newspaperman at

the turn of the century, William Oliver Littick: Newspaper Publisher Ex-

traordinary seeks to record the efforts of one man to bring civic improve-

ments and advancements to his Ohio town through active community lead-

ership. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this volume is the history of

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the newspaper itself and the local Zanesville history, including early pic-

tures of the town and a few of its famous residents.

 

Laura Russell

 

 

Snowbound With Mr. Lincoln. By John A. Lloyd. (New York: Vantage

Press, Inc., 1979. 125p.; illustration.) Written during the blizzard of 1978,

Snowbound With Mr. Lincoln is John A. Lloyd's lively discussion and ex-

amination of much of the lore surrounding our 16th president. A welcome

addition to Lincoln literature, this carefully researched book highlights

events before and after Lincoln's election as president and chronicles the

post-assassination period.

 

Laura Russell

 

 

Phoenix: The Decline and Rebirth of the Indian People. By William E.

Coffer (Koi Hosh). (New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1979. v +

281p.; illustrations, footnotes, bibliography, appendix, index.) The purpose

Mr. Coffer gives for writing this book is to set the record straight, to give the

Indian side of the disastrous conflict between the multi-cultured Indians of

North America and the land-hungry Europeans who exploited and finally

sought to destroy the Indians. There is so much history to cover that the

book reads at times like a list, but it is valuable for its review of what

amounts to a policy of genocide carried on by local and national govern-

ments and by individual Americans. The subject demands a more humanis-

tic treatment. The value of this book is that Coffer draws upon his consider-

able expertise to provide materials (history, bibliography, notes, and copies

of treaties, for example) for further study. This would be a good text for

Indian History/Indian Rights courses on the secondary and university

levels.

 

R. M. Weatherford

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