Grandfather Mountain: A Profile

Rating:
Summary: Grandfather Mountain: A Gutsy and Glorious Book.
Review: Grandfather Mountain is a fabulous account of the history and geology of an ancient Appalachian mountain. Miles Tager has the unique ability to excavate what would otherwise read as droll facts and rigid historical tales into contemporary, refreshing reading. He takes a journey back in time, bringing the reader in touch with the earliest geolocical forces to the Native Americans sacred grounds up to modern day tourism and the ever-pressing encroachment of commercial development. The book is well written and honest. I look forward to Mr. Tagers future books! Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: A decent effort; could be retitled.
Review: Grandfather Mountain, A Profile is a short paperback, comprising some 100 pages. It provides a history and overview of this well-known mountain and privately-held park area in Western North Carolina.

The author, Miles Tager, who lives in Linville Falls at the base of the Mountain, has a good understanding of geology, biology, and zoology as they apply to the region, and it appears that he has researched the history of the area in some detail. His book describes the geological processes in the early formation of the mountain in the Cambrian period some 600 million years ago, and provides insight into its development into current times. He discusses how Grandfather Mountain, located in the great Appalachian Range that traverses an area from Maine to Georgia, is now viewed by geologists.

He continues in his book with a discussion of the flora and fauna found on the mountain-one of the most ecologically rich in the World located in a temperate zone-- and emphasizes the numerous animals and plants now either extinct or threatened, such as the Woods Bison,the Caribou, the Red Wolf, the Salamander and many threatedned plants.

In the most interesting part of his book, he provides an overview of human activity in the area, ranging through archaic inhabitants, DeSoto's visit to the region in the 1500's, the role of the Cherokees in the region, and a fascinating discussion of the "Menlungeons", an olive-skinned, black-haired, blue-eyed, group of Portuguese from whom, according to the author, the stereotype of the Appalachian hillbilly was born. He also debunks a commonly held myth surrounding a still-viewable carving, purportedly by Daniel Boone, engraved on a tree in Wautauga county stating that "D.Boon killed a Bar 'date'" [D. Boone killed a bear].

He continues the book with a chapter titled "Explanations", that purports to provide the historical rationale as to the loss of plants and animal; a chapter titled "Exploitation", a discussion of 1880's gold mining, logging in the 1900's, and to some extent, commercial development in the area since. "Preservation", a short discussion of preservation efforts in the area, concludes the book.

Mr. Tager is a very capable writer, logically developing the book into a fast and relatively easy read--although the fog index rises on occasion. He does raise very legitimate environmental issues important not only to America but the World.

However, I felt uneasy when I finished the book. I didn't feel like I got what the title promised, a "profile." I thought the positive and attractive aspects of the Mountain that attract people such as Mr. Tager to the region were neglected. As attested by the five million or so annual visitors to the area, Grandfather Mountain is among the most spectacular areas in the country. It is an attractive and well-maintained private enterprise that includes a "Mile High Swinging Bridge" and stunning views. It hosts numerous special events such as the famous "Highland Games", "(the 78th this year)Annual Singing on the Mountain", the Grandfather Mountain Marathon and other events. In Charles Kuralt's America, Mr. Kuralt (a North Carolinian) placed it in his 12 most attractive places to visit. Yet few of these things were mentioned and none with more than barely passing comment. Further, in the book, the author seems to be trying to make the case that commercial development is undesirable, yet he gives very short shrift to the current owners and does not detail how the mountain is suffering from their ownership.

On balance, "Profile" is a decent book with a bias. Some derivation of the title of his earlier work, "Saving Grandfather Mountain", would have been more apt.

Rating:
Summary: A terrific regional study.
Review: Grandfather Mountain: A Profile is the history of the highest, oldest mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountain range from its formation nearly a billion years ago through unparalleled natural history to the present day. Indeed, the Grandfather Mountain is one of the most unique geological, ecological, and historical mountains on the globe and has attracted some of the foremost natural scientists in American history. Grandfather Mountain: A Profile is also the story of growth and preservation, of the Cherokees and pioneers of yesteryear, and the modern-day residents, tourists and developers of today. Engaging, informative, "reader friendly", Grandfather Mountain: A Profile is recommended reading for students of natural history, geology, ecology, and American regional studies.