Recent Publications

The history of West Virginia is rich and complex. Over 150 years have passed since West Virginia was admitted to the Union, and the desire to understand and relate to our past continues to the present day. The books, theses and dissertations, magazines and journal articles listed here are testament to the continued interest in the state, its people, traditions and culture.

Each of the works cited in this bibliography is available for reading and research at the West Virginia and Regional History Center, the largest historical archives collection and library relating to West Virginia. This list includes works published in 2016 and 2017, with the addition of a few titles from 2015 that were not included in previous lists and one master's thesis from 2014 whose subject is important to West Virginia history. West Virginia–related titles not found in this bibliography can be located in other resources for publishers, periodicals, magazines, historical societies, and state publications.

Special thanks go to Laureen Wilson for her proofreading and editorial assistance, to Jessica Eichlin for proofreading, and to Dani Mathews for her periodicals research.

As always, if you are aware of significant books or articles concerning West Virginia, its people and places, please bring them to my attention.

Adams, Mason. "Vandalia, Franklin, and Westsylvania: Lost States of Southern Appalachia." Blue Ridge Country 30 (July/August 2017): 54–56.

Adkins, Leonard. "Mini Thru-Hikes in the Mountains." Blue Ridge Country 30 (January/February 2017): 16–19.

Alvarez, Raymond. Doddridge Farm Diary. 108 pages. Independently published (March 31, 2017). On October 31, 1943, Sherman Benson Stout, a 39-year-old farmer, and his wife, Elizabeth, a teacher, moved into an old farm house located on two hundred acres one and a half miles from Maxwell Ridge in southern Doddridge County. In January 1944, Stout began recording his observations at the end of each day in a diary. Notes on the weather, chores, farm help or those he helped, produce sold and items purchased, activities at his wife’s one-room school house, comments about letters received or written, as well as mention of family, neighbors, funerals attended, and friends who visited on Sundays fill this farmer’s diary.

Alvarez, Raymond. Forgotten Hero: Ensign James S. Maddox. 58 pages. Independently published (February 19, 2017). The author recounts the story of Ensign James S. Maddox, a Navy gun crew commander, who died at sea following a U-boat attack in World War II.

Alvarez, M. Raymond. "Fairmont's Last Living Slave." Goldenseal 42 (Spring 2016): 50–54.

Alvarez, M. Raymond. "Finding Aunt Hat's Grave." Goldenseal 42 (Spring 2016): 55.

Appalachian Regional Commission. Moving Appalachia Forward Appalachian Regional Commission Strategic Plan 2011–20. 44 pages. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 31, 2015). The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has a key role in helping the people of Appalachia build a better future: creating jobs, building infrastructure to foster business and community growth, connecting the Region with national and international markets, and developing an educated, healthy workforce prepared to participate fully in the global economy. This strategic plan is a guide to take targeted and measurable action toward the ARC’s vision of bringing Appalachia into full economic parity with the nation, creating a framework for building on past accomplishments to help move Appalachia forward.

Atkeson, Mary Meek. Study of the Literature of West Virginia, 1822–1922. 32 pages. Leopold Classic Library (April 8, 2017).

Attride, David C. One Tough German: George Cress (1738–1823) and His Descendants. 398 pages. David C. Attride (January 8, 2016). A historical and genealogical study of German immigrant George Cress and several generations of his descendants. George came to Pennsylvania in the 1750s then disappeared from the historical record for the next twenty years. He reemerged in 1777 when he joined the York County Pennsylvania Militia after the British victory at the battle of Brandywine. His war experience was cut short when he was shot through the chest. In later years, he moved to Virginia, where he lived for nearly forty years. Many of his children migrated south along the Great Valley Road to destinations in Tennessee, southwest...