A sophisticated inquiry into tourism's social and economic power across the South. In the early 19th century, planter families from South Carolina, Georgia, and eastern North Carolina left their low-country estates during the summer to relocate their households to vacation homes in the mountains of western North Carolina. Those unable to afford the expense of a second home relaxed at the hotels that emerged to meet their needs. This early tourist activity set the stage for tourism to become the region's New South industry. After 1865, the development of railroads and the bugeoning consumer culture led to the expansion of tourism across the whole region. Richard Starnes argues that western North Carolina benefited from the romanticized image of Appalachia in the post-Civil War American consciousness. This image transformed the southern highlands into an exotic travel destination, a place where both climate and culture offered visitors a myriad of diversions. This depiction was futher bolstered by partnerships between state and federal agencies, local boosters, and outside developers to create the atrtactions necessary to lure tourists to the region. As tourism grew, so did the tension between leaders in the industry and local residents. The commodification of regional culture, low-wage tourism jobs, inflated land prices, and negative personal experiences bred no small degree of animosity among mountain residents toward visitors. Starnes's study provides a better understanding of the significant role that tourism played in shaping communities across the South.

John Muir is considered to be the supreme icon of western wilderness and preservation. His counterpart in the east is Harlan P. Kelsey, an often obscure and forgotten figure. In Beautiful Land of the Sky, author Loren M. Wood chronicles Kelsey's journey from the humblest of beginnings to national prominence in horticulture and the establishment of national parks in the eastern United States. In this biography, Wood tells how, a century ago, Kelsey was the first to pioneer native plants for the American landscape and a leader in that process; how he was a leading participant in bringing all of America to our native plants in their finest original setting; and how he helped make a reality of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a zenith of horticultural biomass and diversity in America. In addition, this biography explores the parallels in the odysseys of Muir and Kelsey. Though primarily a biography of Kelsey, Wood compares the similarities, differences, and accomplishments of the two men. Including details gathered from more than fifty thousand items in Kelsey's personal files, Beautiful Land of the Sky narrates the inspiring and entertaining story of how the idea of national parks was implemented east of the Mississippi.

For Witches and Pagans of all traditions and paths, By Land, Sky & Sea will help you develop an intimate understanding of the magickal lore and traditions of modern shamanic pathworking. Based upon the Celtic realms of land, sky, and sea, this wise and unique book explores the ancient trinity and its Greek, Hawaiian, Hindu, Stregheria, and Wiccan customs. Gede Parma guides you through effective methods for working in the three realms, culminating in powerful rituals for each. Gain basic skills in breathwork, omenwalking, divination, and celebrating the body through dance Learn techniques for energy work and expanding consciousness, such as astral projection, clearing and balancing the chakras, and clairvoyance Enact true shamanic practices of trance, vision journeying, channeling, oracle reading, initiation, and rebirth Praise: "Lyrical, anecdotal, and practical . . . This book will engage and refresh the seasoned practitioner of modern Witchcraft and enlighten the novice equally. Recommended."—Kala Trobe, author of The Witch's Guide to Life

The main goal of this book is to provide a collection of essays (formerly only available separately in various academic journals) that offer untraditional and original exegetical insights into, or solutions to, popular or problematic Old Testament texts and topics. It illustrates the science and art of exegesis by an author within a broad evangelical context and demonstrates the interpretive value of reading biblical texts without prejudice to tradition and with careful attention to their historical and cultural contexts.

The author lived in Ireland for about ten years in the 90s of the last millennium. During this time, the stories of the planned book series were written down. These stories mix fact and fiction. It is about the traditional storytelling of the old days in Ireland. The idea came to him at a storytelling festival in the small western Irish town of Kiltimagh, which he attended for the first time. However, he got his inspiration from the stories told by the people around the crackling peat fires, which conjured up a mystical atmosphere to accompany the stories. In this first volume of the planned series, there are three frame stories into which these tales are incorporated. It is about self-awareness and love, prejudice and courage as well as death and how to deal with it. Above all, however, it is about storytelling itself: The first story in this volume takes place in one of my two favourite pubs, Lil's Bar, by a crackling peat fire. Where else? As the only guest at that time of day, he is allowed to write a story at the regulars' table. The title story is born. It is about a strange encounter with an old man who expresses an equally strange wish. The attentive reader will not fail to notice that the narrator encounters himself. By the time he has finished the story, the pub has filled up with guests and the regulars invite him to stay at the pub to tell the story he has written down. Afterwards, the men at the regulars' table discuss the story and quickly guess its meaning. As they liked the story, they ask the storyteller if he can tell more stories. *** The firebird the next story. It is a mythology of being. What happens when the evolutionary model "Homo Sapiens" fails. *** The third tells of the nomad girl Saóirse, who has just turned sixteen. At the start of a storytelling festival at the weekend, she is allowed to gain unaccompanied experience in the small town of Kiltimagh for the first time. It is a time full of stories and Saóirse learns about love. Watching over all of this is the wise old Méabh, who advises the girl to listen only to the call of her heart. This is not so easy, but as a result she ends up making a difficult and painful decision. *** In the third story, an overtired driver is travelling west towards Galway along the sometimes-narrow roads. As he is about to fall asleep, he leaves the road to rest. In the darkness, someone knocks on the rear window and asks for a lift in accent-free German. During the journey, he recognises a former best friend from his youth in the person who got on the train, and a journey back in time to a repressed past begins. *** Finally, the reader learns the story of a storyteller who has forgotten how to tell stories. Then the protagonist suddenly finds himself in the role of an executioner.

This is the story, not just of one manOs life, but of many inspirational characters. ItOs a story of growing up rejecting the herd mentality. A story about going your own way, in life, in business, in sport, music and dance. Playing the violin in an East London School, is not the easy route to popularity. Joining an arctic expedition in the school summer break while the other kids hang out on the street, is not the norm. Learning to sail while everyone else kicks balls around, youOve got to know your own mind, early on. Running a parachute club when youOre almost the youngest person there and surrounded by tough military types and competitive skydivers, takes nerve. Becoming, the youngest advanced instructor and chief instructor in the country, a test jumper for BritainOs biggest parachute manufacturer and a display jumper for British Aerospace; these are not things experienced by all skydivers. Racing cars and motorcycles and paying for it all from a salary, sacrificing relationships, a social life and much else besides, just to make it to the starting grid. This is not the story of a Lauda or a Schumaker, but it will inform many a motor-sport enthusiast and advise anyone thinking of taking the plunge. The good and the bad characters one meets in business, from inspiration and mentoring to hypocrisy and politics, itOs all here. Discover business ideas as yet un-tried and the problems associated with taking big ideas to major players. Thinking of starting a business, or taking on a partner? Read and learn from the experiences of this author, donOt do it the hard way. From great highs to suicidal lows, from attempting the conventional, to sailing away and leaving it all behind this book will surprise and inform from first to the last.

Follow the Mythic Map into Modern Practice The path of the Avalonian priestess is as unique as those who walk it; learn how to apply the nine energies of this path in service to the Goddess, the community, and the self in pursuit of inner wholeness and connection to Avalon within. Jhenah Telyndru explores Avalon's legacy through history and lore: examining Arthurian legends; myths from Wales, Brittany, and Ireland; and the accounts of Celtic priestesses recorded by Roman historians. Presented in two parts, this book first delves into the rich historical and cultural information that forms the Avalonian Stream of Tradition, especially the Ninefold Sisterhoods found in Celtic lands and beyond. Then, you will be introduced to nine modern priestess pathways inspired by ancient ways: Lorekeeper, Lawspeaker, Emissary, Artisan, Hearthtender, Guardian, Seer, Healer, and Ritualist. You'll use specialized workings to connect with Avalon's energetic currents, reclaim your sovereignty, learn to be in priestess service as a bridge between the worlds, and find your way home to Avalon within.

Presents a collection of Native American mythology from various tribes including their different perspectives on how the earth was started and how it will end.