Life in the Leatherwoods: New Edition

By John Quincy Wolf

Book Overview

Life in the Leatherwoods is one of the country's most delightful childhood memoirs, penned by an Ozark native with a keen, observant eye and a gift for narrative. John Quincy Wolf's relaxed style and colorful characters resemble those of another chronicler of nineteenth-century rural life, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Wolf's acerbic wit and lucid prose infuse the White River pioneers of his story with such life that the reader participates vicariously in their log rollings, house-raisings, spelling bees, hog killings, soap making, country dances, and camp meetings. Originally published by Memphis State University Press in 1974, this new edition includes additional writings of John Q. Wolf and a continuation of the autobiographical narrative after his 1887 move to Batesville. Wolf's writings are valuable resources for southern historians, folklorists, general readers, and scholars of Ozarkiana because they provide a rare glimpse into the social and family life of a largely misunderstood and stereotyped people-the independent hill farmers of the Arkansas Ozarks of the 1870s and 1880s. With Life in the Leatherwoods, Wolf bestows a benediction upon a society that existed vibrantly and humorously in his memory-one that has now forever disappeared from the American countryside.

Originally published by Memphis State University Press in 1974, this new edition includes additional writings of John Q. Wolf and a continuation of the autobiographical narrative after his 1887 move to Batesville. Wolf's writings are valuable resources for southern historians, folklorists, general readers, and scholars of Ozarkiana because they provide a rare glimpse into the social and family life of a largely misunderstood and stereotyped people-the independent hill farmers of the Arkansas Ozarks of the 1870s and 1880s. With Life in the Leatherwoods, Wolf bestows a benediction upon a society that existed vibrantly and humorously in his memory-one that has now forever disappeared from the American countryside.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557285942
• ISBN13: 9781557285942
• Release Date: July 2000
• Publisher: University of Arkansas Press
• Length: 246 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

As Timeless as Twain

I originally purchased this book as part of a southern history class in college. At semester's end, I chose it as one of the few books I would add to my permanent collection. This volume is filled with stories reminiscent of post-Civil War Arkansas Ozarks, seen through the eyes of a man who grew up in the pristine Leatherwoods. It reminds me so much of the Mark Twain stories we've all read in school, but means even more because the people are not just based on real individuals, they ARE real. I highly recommend it!

Life in the Leatherwoods

John Quincy Wolf depicts life in the Arkansas White River area in the late 1880-90's..It is very descriptive of how people lived and reacted to these environs; and easily and eagerly read. There is some duplication of parts of stories since some of the text is taken from newspaper columns written by the author over the intervening years. But it is very interesting and gives good account of what life was like growing up in those times. I would recommend it. Verne Garrison

Wonderful Book!

Great book about growing up in the Ozarks. Wonderful pen & ink drawings.