Don't get me wrong the entire series is amazing. Book one is the best and one of the more practical. The chapter on log cabin building was my inspiration to build my own cabin. At least 75% of the cabin was directions from this very book. Reading a Foxfire (any of them) does something to you that's hard to explain. I think of Foxfire books as almost a self-help guide that teaches you how to slow down for a minute. I recommend this book for anybody with high blood pressure or some kind of anxiety problem. It's therapeutic. These students met some really neat people of Appalachia. We can't let this way of life fade away as it almost has in my hometown, Knoxville.

I've inherited the first seven, origional print books from my dad, and bought 8 and 9 for myself just a year ago, and I must say that I've always enjoyed reading these books. The people who contributed their knowledge & wisdom to these books are a resource that has largely been lost to us, and it's a shame that more of us don't realize the wisdom that is missing in this world with the deaths of these oldtimers (as the books were written in the 70's primarily).

I rate this book right up there with Carla Emery's books, as a great resource for folks trying to get back to a more self-sufficient way of life and providing for themselves, their families, and even friends & neighbours. These books definitely give a sense of old-fashioned camaraderie and willingness to help your neighbour in time of need (and in times of plenty).

In 1980 I was a freshman in college with a part time job that paid $3.50 an hour. My car at the time was a 1973 Plymouth station wagon that got 12 mpg on a good day. Downhill. With a tail wind. Because fuel costs were eating up a good part of my check, I began to explore the possibilities of fueling the car with alternative fuels, mainly moonshine. The Foxfire books were one of the sources that I turned to in an effort to learn about the process. Needless to say, I never got around to building my still, but my interest in the tradition of oral history was fired in a big way. I picked up the rest of the set over the next few years and was fascinated by them all. The Foxfire books are the ultimate "how it used to be" source. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent book that was written by an inspired English teacher and his class. The teacher was frustrated with the students lack of attention, and decided to try a new tactic, writing a magazine. They then went out and interviewed their elders on a variety of interesting subjects such as faith healing, hog dressing, log cabin building and many more unusual items. It is a wonderful resource and an entertaining read as they often quote the people in their dialect, so you feel the atmosphere.

I've read most of the Foxfire series,they're all wonderful books. I picked this one to review,because it has such a varied amount of knowledge. The stories and information are priceless,but the people are what make these books so special. I would encourage anyone to read them,because the information inside is something that should never be forgotten.