Corn From a Jar: Moonshining in the Great Smoky Mountains

by Daniel S. Pierce, Steve Kemp (Editor), Kent Cave (Editor)

In the Great Smoky Mountains, moonshine making was a world unto itself. On the one hand, moonshining was about dynamite-totting lookouts, fast cars, snitching, quick cash, hidden stills, "revenuers," and deadly gunplay. On the other, it was a story of earnest farm families living in remote mountain valleys and practicing their traditional craft of moonshining so they could buy shoes for their children. Yet perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this book is the sudden resurgence of making moonshine in the Southern mountains today.

Join author and noted historian Dr. Daniel S. Pierce to learn about the traditions, foibles, and dangers of mountain "blockading" from the early 19th century to tomorrow.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Roy Pierce III · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is lots of information here, and this is a great source for light research. Having picked it up in a gift shop, I was looking for more of a conversational history than a reference book. Even though it was not exactly what I was looking for, it was enjoyable, but I probably won’t read it again.

[Chris Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and fun read...Pierce does a good job introducing the reader to moonshining in the Smoky Mountains in a straight ahead, non-romantic and un-homespun way that too many others often eschew when writing on the subject. That's not to say it isn't a fun read---there's plenty to smile at, too.

[Mark Bunch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, easy read about corn liquor- aka white lightning. Being part of East Tennessee i appreciate the history of this subject. From Ireland to Popcorn Sutton -this one traces the roots and background. I look forward to reading both of the author's other book. A very small, quick study.

[Kitap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly fascinating and informative little book about the history of moonshine in the Great Smoky Mountains and its impact on USAmerican popular culture.

[Reese Wamsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and sweet book that leaves you wanting

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Corn From a Jar: Moonshining in the Great Smoky Mountains by Daniel S. Pierce (Great Smoky Mountains Association 2013) (364.133). Here's a new angle on the Great Smokies: a history of moonshining! It turns out that there's not much to say on the matter. Since the mountainfolk could not haul corn or fresh fruit to market, they converted it into a form which could more easily be transported: corn liquor or brandy. The mountaineers had happily - and legally - been processing their grains and fruits for generations when the federal government decreed that homebrewing was illegal. At that point, the game was afoot between the mountaineer brewers and the federal revenue agents. And that's what Daniel S. Pierce's new volume is about! My rating: 7/10, finished 3/16/15.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Corn From a Jar is a well written and concise history of moonshining in the Smoky Mountains. Daniel Pierce does a wonderful job of making the history "real". You'll understand the motivation behind moonshining along with the history. This dovetails nicely with his book Real NASCAR: White Lightning, Red Clay and Big Bill France. (Also a very good read.)

[Brendan Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and easy read. The author provides a nice blend of research and anecdote. At times it seems as though the author is relying heavily on only a few sources so it almost reads as a book report. But overall a fun read.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and complete cultural and economic history of moonshine in the Appalachians. Easy to read as well as informative. Oh, and the graphic design is AMAZING!

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history!