Author Description

Product Description This text reader brings together the work of notable cultural geographers and folklife scholars to provide a clear and engaging overview of American folklife. Defining folklife as the traditional shared culture of familial, ethnic, occupational, religious, and regional groups, this anthology strikes a balance between material and nonmaterial culture. Carney has chosen essays that explore intangibles such as religion, music, and sports as well as physical traits such as food and architecture in a way that brings traditional culture to life. Review A fine collection of works on folk geography, combining both classics and newer works by young scholars. Compiled and edited by George Carney, one of the most imaginative and productive scholars in the field, this reader will interest almost everyone who teaches cultural geography. (Terry Jordan) Because it draws together a number of authoritative works, Baseball, Barns, and Bluegrass is an ideal introductory-class reading packet. In its variety, structure, and interest, this is a good book. Not diminishing its scholarly purpose, it is also entertaining. ( The Geographical Review) This is getting right down to the nitty-gritty.... read and enjoy this book. (Marshall Fishwick The Roanoke Times) Carney's personal experiences and reflections gave me far more confidence in his ability to describe a folk activity than I have in many of the scholarly, jargon-laden objective accounts now in some literature. ( Journal Of American Folklore) Carney has gathered together interesting articles that are informative and that briefly examine a wide range of topics. ( Missouri Folklore Society Journal) A fascinating study that clearly shows how America's geography and folklife traditions are intimately wedded. Through the worlds of folk architecture, food, drink, music, sports, and games, George Carney focuses ou