Retter: A Novel of the Mountains

by Amy Ammons Garza

This is an unusually sensitive book by an unusually gifted writer. A slightly fictionalized biography of the authors grandmother, Retter, it radiates out from a centerand this center is the courage and loving-kindness of an extraordinary mountain woman. We can speak of courage and love and wisdom, and learn something about them in the abstract, but it is not until we meet these virtues in a woman like Retter that we can truly comprehend. Retter, forgetful of self, is like indomitable sunrise.Finally, as your read this book, you will be introduced to an amazingly sensitive, caring personAmy Ammons Garza. Amy writes with courage and a love of her own. She knows and delivers the fine detail of the human heart because she believes in that heartdevoutly.

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 14, 2000

About the author

Amy Ammons grew up in Jackson County, WNC, listening to the stories her grandfather told her. Because she was the eldest of her generation, he impressed upon her to "pass on the stories of their heritage to the next generation.
For 30 years, throughout the South, Amy has been telling stories of growing up in the mountains, working with her sister, Doreyl Ammons Cain, mural artist, who spontaneously illustrated them. The Ammons Sisters are the co-founders of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, a non-profit 501c3 organizaton dedicated to "planting seeds of heritage through the arts."(Amy and Doreyl's brother, David Ammons, has also been working within his mountain heritage of caning chairs.)
Amy is the author of 13 books, mostly about the heritage of her families and the local mountain
community. Amy books give a glimpse of the culture in which she grew up.
Amy is also a publisher for others who want to share their talents. She has published close to 170 books for others through Ammons Communications and its imprint, Catch the Spirit of Appalachia.