The Old Men: The conversations that help boys become men.

by T.L. Jones

The Cherokee called the mountains of southern Appalachia “the land of the blue smoke.” It is a place that has always been shrouded in mystery and secrecy, like the mountain peaks hidden in the fog. The people of Appalachia are well known for both their hospitality and suspicion of “strangers.” Even the state song, "Rocky Top," opens with a tale of two strangers who climbed into the mountains and disappeared forever.

The old mountain people and their ways are quickly fading. One of the foundational principles of the Appalachian people is a fierce respect for their elders. Old people are the patriarchs and matriarchs of their families, and their words carry the weight of generations. In “The Old Men," you will be given a glimpse of what it was like for a boy, born in 1970, to be influenced by the thinking and words of the old men of Appalachia and a few others, as he later wandered outside the “blue smoke.” The importance of sharing and receiving generational wisdom is paramount to mountain people.

The eighty-four essays contained in this book represent the conversations that help boys become men. Although this book has an Appalachian flavor, the principle of passing wisdom from old men to boys is universal and timeless. You will find adventures and wisdom within these pages, relating Faith in God, Equipment Maintenance, Bar Fights, Murder, Church, Respecting Elders, Bear Hunting, Trout Fishing, Poverty, Hard Work, Grace, and Salvation.

T.L. Jones was born in 1970 in East Tennessee. Much of his boyhood was spent in the company of old men --- farming, hunting, fishing and “loafering” in the mountains of Appalachia. He became a Christian at the age of eighteen and was called to the ministry in 1990. He has been married to his wife Martha since 1992. Together they have three children and four grandchildren. T.L.has planted and pastored two churches --- one in Whitehall, MT; and the other in Greeneville, TN.

Genres: Family

259 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Josh Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Several reasons why:

1. Simplicity (short chapters - good for most men today)
2. Scriptural (every chapter listed a Bible verse that corresponded with story told)
3. Stories (every person relates to stories. Every chapter contained a short story by which the author conveyed truths relating to stories from his youth)

I recommend you read this book and then get a copy to pass on to others who will benefit from the wisdom contained therein.

[Tom Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jones' book, while unashamedly simple, is thoughtful, helpful, and revealing. It is thoughtful in taking ordinary people, situations, and comments and drawing life lessons from them. It is helpful in that it does exactly what it sets out to do - teach young men things they need to know. It is revealing in that it shows us who Jones is as a man, and what made him that way. It is in the latter category the book really shines. The man we thus find is careful, passionate, determined, and wise.

Helpful book. I'll buy another couple for my sons. And that's high praise from me.

[Timothy Smallwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best book I have read in a while. For some time, current generations have lost contact with their previous generations. They simply google things out look to social media for answers. This book helps fill that gap and cause us to think about how we can correct what has been taken from us by technology.

[Simeon Brazzell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this a four star because 5 stars are reserved for only the very best books. This one is really good and packed full of wisdom from an old country East Tennessee man. I lived in Knoxville for 16 years and learned a lot myself from the Old Men. It's set up almost like a short devotional in that each chapter is only 2-3 pages long and meant to tell a little story with a biblical or moral teaching attached. Very very good for anyone raising boys!

[Amber Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top Notch

This is an excellent book that reveals a deep respect for the past generation, exemplifies how young men should receive truths from wiser, older men and gives a captivating look into the life of Appalachian America! It is a good read for every man, young or old.

[Mark McElreath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Key lessons for young men to hear from the old men. The 84 essays are short and simple, though helpful. These chapters also give the reader a glimpse into everyday life in Appalachian America.