Recent Publications

Evidence of a strong and enduring interest in West Virginia's history, culture, and lifeways is found in the undiminished research, writing, and publishing on these topics. Many recent publications have been motivated by the concurrent sesquicentennial anniversaries of the Civil War and the creation of the state of West Virginia. The appearance of this abundance of publications is evidence of the abiding interest in the history and heritage of West Virginia and its people.

This bibliography consists of citations for readily accessible works published in 2011 and 2012, as well as selected works published in 2013, as books, journal articles, theses, and dissertations. Many other writings on culture and history not listed here may be found in West Virginia's lifestyle magazines, in the periodicals of professional and avocational history organizations, and in works of historical fiction. In addition, books and journals of family history and genealogical resources are published by the state's many genealogical and local historical societies as well as by individual researchers. These numerous publications consistently demonstrate the intense connection of West Virginia's people to their heritage and home. If you are aware of significant books or articles about the people of West Virginia that are not listed here, please bring them to my attention.

Ailes, Jane, and Marie Tyler-McGraw. "Leaving Virginia for Liberia: Western Virginia Emigrants and Emancipators." West Virginia History, n.s., 6 (Fall 2012): 1-34.

The American Colonization Society arranged the emigration of emancipated slaves to Africa. Of 184 known western Virginian emigrants to Liberia, 67 percent were from Jefferson County.

Allen, Laura. "The Seasons of Old Rehoboth." Wonderful West Virginia 76 (January 2012): 24-27.

In 1788, Methodist Bishop Francis Asbury visited Monroe County and what is now the oldest standing church structure west of the Alleghenies.

Almond, Greenbrier. Stories of a West Virginia Doctor's Son. Parsons, WV: McClain, 2012. 116 pp.

Upshur County.

Alther, Lisa. Blood Feud: The Hatfields and the McCoys; The Epic Story of Murder and Vengeance. Guilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2012. 286 pp.

Alvarez, Raymond. "In Close Touch with Reality: Photographer Lewis Hine." Goldenseal 38 (Spring 2012): 44-49.

Photographer of rural West Virginians 1908-1930s.

Anderson, Colleen. "McColloch's Leap." Wonderful West Virginia 76 (June 2012): 12-13.

Site in present Wheeling of Major Samuel McColloch's historic September 1777 escape.

Anderson, Robert, and Aaron Crites. Parkersburg. Images of America. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2012. 127 pp.

Includes numerous photographs.

Angel, Lauren. "West Virginian Dancers: The Creation and Development of the West Virginia Ballet Festival / West Virginia Dance Festival Community." Master's thesis, Marshall University, 2012. 123 pp.

Antonik, John. The Backyard Brawl: Stories from One of the Weirdest, Wildest, Longest Running, and Most Intense Rivalries in College Football History. Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University Press, 2012. 288 pp.

Football games between West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh began in 1895. Numerous illustrations.

Archer, William R. "Bill." Legendary Locals of McDowell County, West Virginia. Charleston, SC: Legendary Locals, 2013. 127 pp.

Includes numerous photographs.

Bailey, Kenneth R. "The Scioto Disaster." West Virginia History, n.s. 6 (Spring 2012): 49-72.

The 1882 Ohio River collision of steamboats Scioto and John Lomas drowned over 70 people. Following investigations and trials, no one was ultimately held responsible.

Baldau, Catherine, ed. The Harpers Ferry Anthology: Civil War Era Stories by Park Rangers and Volunteers. Virginia Beach, VA: Donning, 2011. 118 pp.

Barker, Gray. Men in Black: The Secret Terror Among Us. Seattle: Metadisc Books, The Seattle Conceptual Art Museum, 2011. 219 pp.

Reprint of 1983 edition. Includes references to the Flatwoods Monster, Mothman, the Silver Bridge, and several West Virginia people and places.

Barnett, Bob. Hillside Fields: A History of Sports in West Virginia. Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University Press, 2013. 429 pp.

Beyer, Edward. Edward Beyer's Travels Through America: An Artist's View; Including Edward Beyer's Cyclorama. Translated by Holle Schneider. Roanoke, VA: Historical Society of Western Virginia, 2011. 76 pp.

Illustrated with reproductions of Beyer's paintings and lithographs of Virginia and West Virginia towns and scenery.

Blackwell, Samuel M., Jr. "Cavalry Escape from Harpers Ferry." Journal of the Illinois State Historical...