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AN APPALACHIAN EULOGY
Zeke Horn was born in the year 1918 in the mountains of east Tennessee. At the age of seven he lost his family and was forced out into an uncaring world with winter fast approaching. Thanks to the help of kind strangers, he was barely able to survive the bitterly cold weather. Out of desperation, but with little hope, a letter was sent to the only relative he knew. His uncle, Abel Horn, responded and Zeke was saved from what would have been a terrible death.
Abel and Zeke set out on the long journey to Abel’s home in Kentucky. Along the way they were joined by a child who they found in circumstances that were very similar to Zeke’s. Zeke and Emma joined Abel’s daughter, Amy, and his wife, Elizabeth, to complete the Horn family.
For many years the Horn family provided the three children the love and the security they needed in order to thrive. Due to outside influences, the traditional mountain way of life was changing. Abel’s farm proved to be an island of peace, stability and tranquility in the midst of an ocean of change. Under the guidance of Abel and Elizabeth the family flourished.
Zeke and Amy were fortunate enough to escape the consequences of the turbulent times but Emma wasn’t so lucky. Her decisions placed her in an untenable situation that led to her separation from the Horn family. The family had forged bonds that time could never destroy and none of them were willing to accept her loss. Thus began a search that was destined to reach far into the future.
Abel and Zeke set out on the long journey to Abel’s home in Kentucky. Along the way they were joined by a child who they found in circumstances that were very similar to Zeke’s. Zeke and Emma joined Abel’s daughter, Amy, and his wife, Elizabeth, to complete the Horn family.
For many years the Horn family provided the three children the love and the security they needed in order to thrive. Due to outside influences, the traditional mountain way of life was changing. Abel’s farm proved to be an island of peace, stability and tranquility in the midst of an ocean of change. Under the guidance of Abel and Elizabeth the family flourished.
Zeke and Amy were fortunate enough to escape the consequences of the turbulent times but Emma wasn’t so lucky. Her decisions placed her in an untenable situation that led to her separation from the Horn family. The family had forged bonds that time could never destroy and none of them were willing to accept her loss. Thus began a search that was destined to reach far into the future.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 21, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 16, 2026
Eulogy is aporopriate
As a an old woman from the Hills of Eastern Kentucky I can testify that the Mountain way of living being self sufficient has unfortunately become almost Extinct what started in the beginning of the 20th Century the Timber was first the Coal Companies came in and stripped away our Native trees shrubs flora and fauna! Today their is such a loss of those life sustainable endeavors made so few farms or anyone gathering our medicinal plants convenience and I suppose the facts of the population decline of those who may have the Heart and Pride to work the land there is always Wal-Mart !!!!!
Drugs are in full supply I counted arrest log recently 7 out of 10 had charges of Methamphetamine rental carafeniol heroin some pot and 1 with prescription opiates 7 out of 10 . Pikeville doesn't have public transportation or taxi service had those when I was young. Jobs are there small minimum wage $6/35 an hour but work ethics have with those who moved out.
The damage of mining poisoned the water the supposed replanting was throw some tall grass seeds Mimosas and Austria trees no Hardwoods that bear nuts berry bushes and trees like Pawpaw and fuit trees that feed and give life to the wildlife along with people. The loss of Coal for energy plants has brought in AEP that charges insane rates the Counties in Eastern KY get very little funding to help offset costs so the Draw is popular disability but that could definetfly need a case redetermination check and the Snap benefits are the largest payments at the
Grocery stores. Sad to be back in the Hills and live the Eulogy of a broken society. When I was young it was full of gardens neighbors who looked out for one another not many were rich poor to low medical class now it is somehow million dollar homes to Poor class.
As a an old woman from the Hills of Eastern Kentucky I can testify that the Mountain way of living being self sufficient has unfortunately become almost Extinct what started in the beginning of the 20th Century the Timber was first the Coal Companies came in and stripped away our Native trees shrubs flora and fauna! Today their is such a loss of those life sustainable endeavors made so few farms or anyone gathering our medicinal plants convenience and I suppose the facts of the population decline of those who may have the Heart and Pride to work the land there is always Wal-Mart !!!!!
Drugs are in full supply I counted arrest log recently 7 out of 10 had charges of Methamphetamine rental carafeniol heroin some pot and 1 with prescription opiates 7 out of 10 . Pikeville doesn't have public transportation or taxi service had those when I was young. Jobs are there small minimum wage $6/35 an hour but work ethics have with those who moved out.
The damage of mining poisoned the water the supposed replanting was throw some tall grass seeds Mimosas and Austria trees no Hardwoods that bear nuts berry bushes and trees like Pawpaw and fuit trees that feed and give life to the wildlife along with people. The loss of Coal for energy plants has brought in AEP that charges insane rates the Counties in Eastern KY get very little funding to help offset costs so the Draw is popular disability but that could definetfly need a case redetermination check and the Snap benefits are the largest payments at the
Grocery stores. Sad to be back in the Hills and live the Eulogy of a broken society. When I was young it was full of gardens neighbors who looked out for one another not many were rich poor to low medical class now it is somehow million dollar homes to Poor class.
August 3, 2026
Lond read with lots of detail but no actual plot
This book was my first by this author. While B Camp provides much ( too much) description in detail as to surroundings, place and time there is no plot…. the book just ambles on and on without ever getting anywhere. And then the last several chapters jump ahead generations without closing out the stories before. It was like short stories put into a novel and none had an ending. I was very disappointed in this book and I don’t think I would read anything else by this author.
This book was my first by this author. While B Camp provides much ( too much) description in detail as to surroundings, place and time there is no plot…. the book just ambles on and on without ever getting anywhere. And then the last several chapters jump ahead generations without closing out the stories before. It was like short stories put into a novel and none had an ending. I was very disappointed in this book and I don’t think I would read anything else by this author.
August 6, 2026
Such a beautiful book
I loved this book. Although my family didn’t live in Appalachia the stories and hard work sound like my grandparents and parents. They worked hard and grew huge gardens. My Dad started helping his family at a young age. He was a hard worker all his life and passed that work ethic on to his children. He valued education and his 4 daughters all had college educations. He never had a so so we all learned how to roof and sweat copper pipes. He took us fishing and hunting and Mom was an exceeent cook a
Nd could sew anything.
I loved this book. Although my family didn’t live in Appalachia the stories and hard work sound like my grandparents and parents. They worked hard and grew huge gardens. My Dad started helping his family at a young age. He was a hard worker all his life and passed that work ethic on to his children. He valued education and his 4 daughters all had college educations. He never had a so so we all learned how to roof and sweat copper pipes. He took us fishing and hunting and Mom was an exceeent cook a
Nd could sew anything.
July 3, 2026
Tragic and yet beautiful
I very much enjoyed this book. It was very well written and shared generations of change which occurred through the Appalatian regions throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The characters were realistic and life was a mixture of sorrow and joy, as it continues to be. I love how this story captured family and history wrapped into the tale of change to culture.
I very much enjoyed this book. It was very well written and shared generations of change which occurred through the Appalatian regions throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The characters were realistic and life was a mixture of sorrow and joy, as it continues to be. I love how this story captured family and history wrapped into the tale of change to culture.
June 9, 2026
Heartfelt Story
I really enjoyed this story, spanning decades of like in Appalachia. It rang very true, from the funny sayings to the descriptions of the area’s beauty. The book never belittled the lifestyle or beliefs of the people in its description of life in the hills. I’ve very glad I took the time to read this tale.
I really enjoyed this story, spanning decades of like in Appalachia. It rang very true, from the funny sayings to the descriptions of the area’s beauty. The book never belittled the lifestyle or beliefs of the people in its description of life in the hills. I’ve very glad I took the time to read this tale.
July 17, 2026
Beautiful and tragic
The characters came alive. They were likeable and some were not very likeable. The setting in the Appalachian hollers described a simpler time, and the coal towns that moved in destroyed the environment as it destroyed families. This book made you feel their sorrows and desperation.
The characters came alive. They were likeable and some were not very likeable. The setting in the Appalachian hollers described a simpler time, and the coal towns that moved in destroyed the environment as it destroyed families. This book made you feel their sorrows and desperation.
August 28, 2026
Zeke's uncle comes to get him when all of his family dies. Before they get to his uncle's home, they rescue a girl from living on the streets. Zeke and Emma join Amy to form a new family. They grow up on the farm. Zeke goes to college, but Emma gets married. Later descendents of Zeke and Emma find each other.
October 28, 2025
I’ll never compromise my time on another AI narration. Maybe it will get better but it certainly took away from the book. And the book was just not what I’d hoped for. Little excitement and repetitive.
April 21, 2026
An excellent book!
I really enjoyed this book.. from the beginning to the end. All of the stories about the mountains and ways of the people. I learned a lot and will go there someday!
I really enjoyed this book.. from the beginning to the end. All of the stories about the mountains and ways of the people. I learned a lot and will go there someday!
May 2, 2026
Good but not great
An easy read although sometimes way too much info on subjects ( like the wood used for the sled). Too much detail. My mom’s family is from Appalachia though and it did give me insight into what people’s lives were like in that part of the country.
An easy read although sometimes way too much info on subjects ( like the wood used for the sled). Too much detail. My mom’s family is from Appalachia though and it did give me insight into what people’s lives were like in that part of the country.
August 8, 2026
Two of the main characters are supposed to be ages 5 and 7. The thoughts and conversations written are FAR above even a well-to-do, educated child’s level. I tried several times to get into this book, but couldn’t get past the characters not matching the words on the pages. I gave up 45 pages in.
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May 8, 2026Very easy read. A joy
May 29, 2026
Good read
Informational, easy reading. Good book to curl up with. It took awhile to get used to the language tho. Interesting characters.
Informational, easy reading. Good book to curl up with. It took awhile to get used to the language tho. Interesting characters.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews