Disclaimer: ARC via Llewellyn Worldwide and Netgalley I made a nice woman roll her eyes at me this summer. I didn’t mean to; I was answering a question truthfully. It is true that I got interested in Virginia history by reading the ghost folklore collections of L. B. Taylor Jr. And that’s why I love ghost stories, the “true” ones. Well told, they can get interested in history. Swayne’s collection of ghost folklore, dealing with country singers and country music sites, is a pretty good collection. It may not be long or even short on American history, but it is full of Country Music History, and will make the person who only has a passing interest in Country Music want to listen to more. The famous people included in the book include Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash. Elvis makes an appearance as well. Famous includes concert venues but also bars and honky tonks. It’s a pretty good collection. The stories are well told and the factual information is present. It’s a great little collection and well worth a read if you are interested in country music or ghost folklore

Not a bad book, but the mysterious isn't really that mysterious. The stories in terms of history are interesting. Bonus point for including Native American history to a great degree.

 

Death makes an appearance, but in many ways this is look at community and togetherness.



Old Review - In Johnny and the Dead, Terry Pratchett takes a serious topic and makes it funny while keeping it serious. Pratchett teaches the reader about life and death, and about how what might be an insignificant action can change things. He does without preaching.

Good retellings. Pics could be bigger, but good story telling.