Books on the Ozarks

[Ozark]

Rivers to run, Swift water Sycamores and Smallmouth Bass by Larry Dablemont

[creek wader]

Wow! Looks like I have my reading assignment for the winter. I searched several of the mentioned books, on the internet, and found more related books. I think I'll be busy this winter. Keep firing them out there, guys.

[bfishn]

I was going to add one of my favorites, but saw Al already listed it;

We Always Lie to Strangers, by Vance Randolf (1951)

I stumbled across it at the library about 20 years ago, and after checking it out three times, I bought a copy on eBay. Presented it to a freind as a retirement gift last year, and I really miss it.

You can find a library near you that carries it (or any other book) by entering your zip code at;

http://www.worldcat.org/title/we-always-lie-to-strangers-tall-tales-from-the-ozarks/oclc/1174386

For Ozarks residents, this is a must-read!

[Al Agnew]

Just finished reading for the second time, "Fiddler's Ghost", by Mitch Jayne. I've also read his "Old Fish Hawk", and in fact illustrated the cover of the original book on tape. Very good novels with true Ozark flavor. Mitch was a well-known musician and one of the "Darlings" on the Andy Griffith Show. He died a while back, and I was sorry I never got to actually meet him in person.

[DownStream]

Thanks for recommending Stars Upstream, by Leonard Hall. I'm about half way through and haven't been able to put it down. The pictures he paints with his words make it possible to visualize the rivers, plant life, and geology. The history lessons make me able imagine the what is was like before the Current river watershed was protected.

[ollie]

I hadn't seen this post before.  I will give a shout out for Ozark Pioneers by Vickie Layton Cobb.  She is a charter member of the Ozarks Writers League and has published a few books on the Ozarks as well.  Mainly Taney County.  She is also a cousin of mine through the family tree.  Lots of good regional photos and stories. 

[Justin Spencer]

Searching for Booger County is a good read if you are interested in the history of Douglas County both the North Fork and Bryant Creek run through these lands.

[wayneblevins]

I have read some of the Vance Randolff stuff as well as Larry Dablemont and John Hinds there also used to be a book that the Mcdonald county historical society had by J.A Stugill that is very good.

[grizwilson]

Have read all on Al's list, just finished one that I think is swell:  The White River Chronicles of S. C. Turnbo, Man and Wildlife on the Ozarks Frontier, Selected and Edited by James F. Keefe and Lynn Morrow.  Stumbled on it looking for some of the other titles listed in this chain at the Springfield Greene Co. library. It is a number of stories that Mr. Turnbo had written in the early 1900's based on interviews that he had made in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  It has great information on nearly every creek and river in the drainage from Forsyth to the mouth of the Buffalo with and number of hunting stories and Civil War insights. It was briefly shared with Bill Babler and Terrierman, who both think they want to read. Checking it back in tomorrow.

g

[worley76]

My personal favorites have to include Stars Up Stream, Ozark Pioneers, and by far a book written in 1979 by Glenn Boone Skinner titled the Big Niangua River.  The Niangua is my home water and I searched and searched for this long out of print book.  I finaly came across a copy that a guy had in Oregon.......my wife was not happy when she found out what it cost.  Another great book I just finished is A homeland and Hinterland by Donald L Stevens Jr. It gives a great history of the Current River.  It was printed in 1991 and the National Parks Service has an electronic copy on their website if you don't want to buy it.  (gunna buy my own copy after the wife cools off from my BNR purchase)  Heres the link....its worth the time to read.

https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/ozar/index.htm