River of Memories: An Appalachian Boyhood

by David L. Thompson

Book Overview

"David Lee Thompson has produced a caring and introspective personal account of the vanishing Appalachian culture. This way of life existed for over twelve generations, teaching its people the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595261949
• ISBN13: 9780595261949
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Reader comments to me about River of Memories

The following are some of the comments I have received regarding River of Memories:As I read well into Saturday night, I had the feeling you were actually writing about MY childhood. The winters, the one-room school, the stream, the grapevine swing (Snap! Thud! you lost your breath, and your body met the ground) and the challenges we faced but were so content, well fed, and happy we didn't realize how strong we would become because we learned that mountains were there to "go over, around or tunnel through." (Ginger Davis)I bought a copy of your book at long last. I read it today. I really enjoyed it!!! You did a great job. Patrick was really talking up your book at our last meeting this spring. Mary Williams, one of our writing classmates, died last week. She, too, was looking forward to reading your book. (Brenda Beatty)I wanted to share with you the inspiration I've had from the introduction of your book. I've many times mentioned that I should keep a journal for each of my girls with my view of things they do throughout their childhood. You statements in the introduction made me realize I should stop talking about it and do it before time slips away and they're no longer small children. (Che'rie Collins)I have just completed your book, a gift from my daughter. It is a most enjoyable book, and you should take great pride in it. You capture our heritage and our humanness from crowning glory to warts. We live in a great corner of this world. Those of us, the senior generation, have been protected not by terrain but by culture, small enough to know and be known. (Jim Waugh)While attending 'Festival of the Hills' in Ironton on Saturday, my wife and I visited your display and bought a copy of River of Memories. That next day, I took up temporary residence in our swing on our front porch and never ventured far from there until two thirds of your book had been read. It just wouldn't let me put it down! While my wife and I grew up in Waterloo, Lawrence County, Ohio, which is about as far north of Huntington as Bowen Creek is south, we both had a similar childhood as yours, but, you tell your stories much better. And, I'm sure others who have had the pleasure of reading your book can readily identify with it, too. Every little community had its unusual characters and an Emmitt and Lessie store. But, of all your stories, "Magnolias Forever" holds a special place for me. Your book is truly gratifying. Well done, David! (Duane Null)Thank you for sharing your work with me and for using your talents to help preserve the culture and history of our state.(Nick J. Rahall, II, Member of Congress)Can't imagine any trip could be better than what you described in your book. Well done. "River of Memories" would make a great movie. You have shown how wonderful growing up in the '50s was for many. Laura wrote all her books (5 or 6) after she was 65 years old. Hope you keep writing. (Pat Phillips)I finished your book last night. Please f

Authentic Appalachian hill culture--a must read!

A soothing massage for my soul! That is how Rivers of Memories made me feel after reading it. David Thompson's portray of his boyhood in rural West Virginia brought back memories of my own rural childhood. Recordings of his adult adventures are inter- spersed between flashbacks of happy, sad, and many times humorousmusings from his rich childhood. Mr. Thompson's book tells it all!--real and so readable. Love of family, love of country, meaning of sacrifices and need for painful experiences are portrayed in this book about authentic Appalachian hill culture.

River of Memories

River of Memories: An Appalachian Boyhood by David L. Thompson is an excellent book for all people of all ages. It really allows the reader to understand the way everyday life was in Appalachia. It reminds us of the importance of family, friends, hard work, and God's influence. It brings out the best of a time that has passed, but will never be forgotten.

Inspirations from Appalachia

In order for us to truly understand ourselves, we must look to our heritage. As Mr. Thompson recalls to his readers the vivid memories of an Appalachian childhood, he entangles them with the warmth of a heritage that may someday be forgotten. This work will possibly answer many questions of future generations who may ask "what is Appalachia?"

wonderful story of rural life in America

Mr. Thompson's is a wonderful tale of a young man growing up in rural America. It tells of a wonderful childhood filled with loving memories in a time when a child was still allowed to be a child. It has both good and bad memories that add up to the formation of an interesting individual and family that anyone would enjoy getting to know. If everyone could only be so lucky as to know someone like this it would improve the world as a whole.