Brooks Blevins

Such a detailed account of Ozark history! This book captured my interest because I had ancestors in the region during the early years of the Arkansas territory. Not to mention the fact that Arkansas is such a beautiful state--why not find out it’s history?

Full of geographic descriptions and sociological details, the author leaves no stone unturned in presenting the early days of the Ozark region. Agriculture is also a big part of the state’s history and through reading, it is easy to understand how the razorback became the mascot of the University of Arkansas.

From Indians to cattle drives, readers will discover the rich history that shaped Arkansas. The book ends right around the time of the Civil War and I’m so interested in reading the second volume that tells how the war changed things in the state.

History lovers and genealogists will most likely enjoy this book the most. There is an abundance of name-dropping of people and places important to Arkansas.

Many thanks to NetGalley and University of Illinois Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.… (más)

This book fills a void as the first in-depth history of northern Arkansas. Reviewer Lee Kirk aptly describes this as "a useful explanation of what was going on in the Ozarks while Vance Randolph http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2265 and others were scouring the hills for the old stories and songs, a movement that led to the Dogpatch image http://www.partyoutofbounds.com/dog.htm that the rest of the world has come to know" (Ozarks Monthly). Dr. Blevins describes the geography and chronicles the settlement, lives of the people, and economic development of the region. He includes details of in-and-outward migration, agriculture, mining and lumber industries, and the rise of the tourist industry. (lj)… (más)