The Encyclopedia details subjects traditionally associated with Appalachia—folklore, handcrafts, mountain music, foods, and coal mining—but goes far beyond regional stereotypes to treat such wide-ranging topics as the aerospace industry, Native American foodways, ethnic diversity in the coalfields, education reform, linguistic variation, and the contested notion of what it means to be Appalachian, both inside and outside the region.
Researched and developed by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services at East Tennessee State University, this 1,860-page compendium includes all thirteen states that constitute the northern, central, and southern subregions of Appalachia—from New York to Mississippi. With thorough, detailed, yet accessible entries on everything from Adventists to zinc mining, the Encyclopedia of Appalachia is an indispensable one-stop guide to all things Appalachian.
At a Glance:
COMPREHENSIVE. The Encyclopedia of Appalachia is the most comprehensive resource available on the region’s history, land, culture, and people.
AUTHORITATIVE. Hundreds of scholars from across the region and around the world composed the entries.
ILLUSTRATED. The 140-plus illustrations and photos make this valuable tool as attractive as it is informative.
FOR EVERYONE. Students, teachers, researchers, historians, and anyone with an interest in Appalachia will find this the most complete single resource available on the region.
WELL-ORGANIZED. The Guide for Readers allows for ease in navigating the five main divisions of the Encyclopedia of Appalachia.
The Encyclopedia is divided into five parts:
THE LANDSCAPE. Sections include: Geology, Ecology, and Environment.
THE PEOPLE. Sections include: Family and Community; Images and Icons; Race, Ethnicity, and Identity; Settlement and Migration; and Urban Appalachian Experience.
WORK AND THE ECONOMY- Sections include: Agriculture; Business, Industry, and Technology; Labor; Tourism; and Transportation.
CULTURAL TRADITIONS- Sections include: Architecture; Crafts; Folklore and Folklife; Food and Cooking; Humor; Language; Literature; Music; Performing Arts; Religion; Sports and Recreation; and Visual Arts.
INSTITUTIONS- Sections include: Cultural Institutions; Education; Government; Health; and Media.
