Roamin & Restin with the Roamin Man of the Smoky Mountains

by Wiley Oakley

Roamin' & Restin' with the Roamin' Man of the Smoky Mountains

Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Lisa Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a charming, precious memoir! We picked up this book at Roamin' Man Pizza in Pigeon Forge while vacationing there last week. I even asked to have my copy signed by the author's grandson, Bryce, who is working there now. What a sweet young man.

The book is a difficult read because of the inadvertent misspellings and incorrect punctuation, however, it is strictly and perfectly in keeping with the authentic mountain voice of the author.

I can't say I wish I had lived back then or back there, but I am thankful to be able to read about Oakley's experiences. The stories are told with a humility and gratitude. What a sweet man he must have been. I am glad he saved his stories, and thankful that his family continues to go to the trouble of printing and sharing them.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine finding yourself sitting outside an old country store in the Smoky Mountains, waiting for a bus, a slow shopping companion to finish up or maybe just taking a load off. Along comes a local in a chatting mood who takes a seat beside you. He opens up about his life and times in the area, sharing the fascinating alongside the mundane. That’s what reading this book can be compared to. Lovers of The Smoky Mountains or Appalachia in general will likely enjoy this book. The misspelled words can be both charming and distracting at the same time. The book is an interesting time capsule that is just the right length. The local is just about talked out and you are ready to move on.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Reading it took me right back to quiet summer nights sitting on my aunt's porch in West Virginia and listening to my mother and her sisters and brothers reminiscing about their childhoods in the hills and hollers.

One of the most honest books I have ever read. Just Mr. Oakley reliving a bygone era.

[Elizabeth McInerney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. Filled with misspellings and run-on sentences that completely capture an intelligent (but uneducated), observant, adventurous, and kindhearted man. In fact, thank God for his lack of schooling, because now the world has this gem of a book!