Tennessee is acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful places in America. For much of the last century it remained somewhat isolated; there were few interstate highways until the 1970's. Farming was the dominant economic activity in East Tennessee through the sixties. It was a tough and unforgiving environment. The people in this book were steady and conservative. The author bonded with them, if not literally, spiritually. Now we sit in front of computer screens and television sets. We are no longer the "doers" that we once were, our time is spent amusing ourselves. We are poorer for it. The characters in this book were "engaged." They contributed directly or indirectly to the texture of our national character. They were colorful, iconic, and independent. They are worthy of a closer look.