What People Are Saying

What People are saying about

The West Virginia Encyclopedia

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"It is not often that I sit up late at night reading an encyclopedia. It's something most people do to fall asleep. But The West Virginia Encyclopedia is a different story, or 2,200 different stories…. [The editors] have created a hefty tome that should take a proud place on the shelf in every living room in West Virginia….

Of course, there are notable West Virginians… But there's more than names, dates and places stacked between the covers of this portable education on the Mountain State…. West Virginia's culture and character, its people and their boundless kindness and self-reliance have figured into the pages of our encyclopedia…. Indeed, the editors and writers of The West Virginia Encyclopedia have gathered a wealth of essential knowledge in one place. The book itself does promote that sense of participation in our story. It is, in fact, essential reading for West Virginians who want to learn more about who we are, where we came from and where we are going."

"Our Home Tome" by Daniel Friend, The Journal, Shepherdstown, 7/9/06 (Friend is editor of The Shepherdstown Chronicle)

"The book is a fine testament to the greatest state. Thank you for taking on this monumental task."

Letter from: Daniel Friend, Editor, The Shepherdstown Chronicle, July 24, 2006

"A beautiful piece of work!"

Louis and Lolly Keefer, Reston, Virginia, June 16, 2006

"…A book that's not only certain to prove an essential reference tool but that's just plain fun to browse."

"The New West Virginia Encyclopedia" by James E. Casto, Wonderful West Virginia, August 2006, Volume 70, Number 8, p. 21.

"I am sure it will be an invaluable reference for West Virginia for years to come."

Anne G. Selinger, Morgantown, WV, June 21, 2006

"I am proud to be one of the authors and feel this book was worth waiting for. Nice job!"

Christine D. Fenn, Ocala, Florida, June 24, 2006

"You have produced something that you can be mighty proud of, and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it."

Cora Teel, Librarian/Archivist, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, June 22, 2006

"…Journalists…historians, artists and experts in a wide range of activities helped in a $1 million effort to make this the most up-to-date volume of West Virginia facts as well as folklore currently available."

"A Truly West Virginia Encyclopedia, by Tom Miller, "Under the Dome", Hampshire Review, Romney, 7/5/2006

"West Virginia received a special birthday present this morning when The West Virginia Encyclopedia was unveiled…. Linda Comins, Arts and Living Editor for The Intelligencer/News-Register, also a contributor to the state's new encyclopedia, said she was pleased with the final product. I think it is a wonderful accomplishment. It will be a great resource for students, future researchers and the general public as they study and learn about our rich West Virginia heritage."

"Happy Birthday, W.Va.!" by Stephanie Biebell & Brianne Roseberry, The Intelligencer/News-Register, Wheeling, 6/20/2006

"The information is current, the articles sprightly written…. the photos are great, and the book reeks - not like a ramp - but with professional quality of the first order."

Lou Athey, Lancaster, PA, June 22, 2006

"Most Americans identify with the state of their birth or residence, but West Virginians' attachment to their place seems especially strong…. This year, the state's birthday offers special cause for celebrating that attachment and that identification. The new West Virginia Encyclopedia, almost 10 years in the making was released to the public today. The million-dollar project is a landmark work…. West Virginians will find themselves falling into every page…. Opening the book at random… produces gem after gem…. It is both an authoritative and delicious work. West Virginians are going to want it…"

"Special Cause for Celebration: West Virginians Everywhere Will Want Their New Encyclopedia," Chas. Daily Mail, 6/20/06.

"The book is a treasure that represents a significant accomplishment for you and your staff.

The reporters and editors of the Daily Mail look forward to using it as a source of story ideas and background information for many years to come…. Congratulations for an achievement of breathtaking proportions."

Nanya Friend, Editor and Publisher, Charleston Daily Mail, June 27, 2006

"I bought a copy for my sister, but she complains that her hubby John has been hogging the book. He's from Colorado, knows little about West Virginia, and has been reading the big book voraciously…. The encyclopedia offers a kind of crash-course for newcomers who yearn to become genuine mountaineers (as all sane persons should). Y'all done good."

Larry Bartlett, Parkersburg, WV, June 28, 2006

Big Announcements! Good News!

"The West Virginia Encyclopedia is officially published and available! I love this book…. It's an enormous coffee table book with a beautiful blue quilt on the cover, a perfect gift for anyone with any interest in West Virginia or Appalachia or the natural sciences or American history or literature."

From: Meredith Sue Willis's "Books for Readers" website, 7/13/06

"Did you know that chickens outnumber humans in West Virginia 50-to-one or that Frosty the Snowman's creator was a Mountain State native? If you aren't aware of these earth-shattering facts, we know where you can bone up on them. In fact, no matter what you want to know about West Virginia, the answers soon will be in your local bookstore…. The West Virginia Humanities Council will introduce its West Virginia Encyclopedia…"

"History Chronicled" by Bob Withers, The Herald-Dispatch, June 18, 2006

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