George Brosi, Regional Treasure

George Brosi, Regional Treasure by Judith A. Flavell and Ann W. Olson Though he could be making a lot more money-or at least not losing as muchbookseller George Brosi has his heart in Appalachian Mountain Books, his "open by chance or by appointment" book business. Appalachian Mountain Books (the store) used to face Boone Street, just outside the center of the southeastern Kentucky town of Berea. The small space inside the store was crammed with new, used, and rare books, all of them focusing on some aspect of Kentucky or Appalachia-music books, photography books, novels, historical accounts, geographical guides, cookbooks, and books for children. This fall, however, George, family, and business relocated to Whittier, North Carolina, just south of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. In any case, the business of Appalachian Mountain Books has always reached far beyond Berea; and only one-third of Brosi's income came from his bookshop sales. Brosi, who has been specializing in selling books by and about Appalachians for nine years, is an Appalachian scholar, a longtime social activist, a father of seven children, and a genuine character. Beneath his large rough beard, his unstarched appearance, and his informal and unpretentious manner, George Brosi is a strong-willed and purposeful person. His six-foot-two figure and his ready smile fill any area with energy. And his firm opinions about the authors he sells are reflective of his commitment to Appalachia. "I like books, of course, but 11 Olsen/Flavell Olsen/Flavell 12 I really like this area and what it can offer." Brosi's job enables him to talk with people about their heritage and what it means to them. He sees a universal value in books and enjoys being involved in distributing them. "I do enjoy scouting out books for folks," he admits. If Brosi isn't at the store or at home, he's usually away exhibiting books or giving presentations about Appalachian literature. He earns another third of his income from his traveling exhibit, which he takes to events and festivals throughout the region. "I prefer selling to a group that I've talked to because they reel more comfortable talking to me and they see me more as an expert than a peddler," explains Brosi. He sells books at annual events, such as the Appalachian Writer's Conference in Hindman, Kentucky; the East Kentucky Teacher's Network in Hindman; the Berea Crafts Festival; the Appalachian Celebration in Morehead, Kentucky; the Elderhostel in Highlands, North Carolina; and the Appalachian Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. "I have people now who come [to Cincinnati] to see me every year," Brosi proudly relates . If the people can't come to the literature , Brosi makes the literature available to them by mail. The final third of his income is earned through his dealings with libraries, his mail-order business, and his more-or-less monthly publication , Appalachian Mountain Books. Brosi has been producing the Appalachian Mountain Books catalog for six years at his home, and he currently sells annual subscriptions to the publication. It features information about books and authors, such as Appalachian books for research libraries and contemporary Appalachian authors. A reader is also just as likely to find a book review by one of Brosi's children, and, of course, listings of books he has on hand for sale. "When I'm sitting at the typewriter working on [the magazine], I think about what I would really want to say to an old friend who walks in and asks what's new and interesting or what I think about a certain book,' George relates. Many people who work with Appalachian matenals share an enthusiasm for Brosi's vital role in the region. Larry Besant, Director of Libraries at Morehead State University, in Morehead , Kentucky, first met Brosi at his traveling exhibit during the 1986 Appalachian Celebration. After a short conversation at the exhibit, Besant invited Brosi over to his house for supper. Besant thoughtfully characterizes Brosi: "He's probably one of the most . . . oldfashioned booksellers. What I mean is, he knows his stock intimately, and he knows the areas he specializes in as well or better than anybody. His enthusiasm...