The Last Entry

by Jim Hamilton

Tucker Trivette is in a bind. He joined the Navy straight out of high school. Without many options, it seemed like the right thing to do. Now he's heading home. To what, he's not sure, but he's hoping things are better. They're not. Set upon by hard times and a nemesis from his youth, Tucker seeks redemption and reward hidden deep in the forest, to reclaim a legacy hinted at within his grandfather's cryptic journal. Tucker understands the value of friendship and family--and paying his debts. Determined to play the hand he's been dealt to start over and succeed, he'll have to bend the rules to get there. The Last Entry is painted in the woodland tones of western North Carolina's rural mountains--a cultural crossroads of post-modern Appalachia where old time traditions clash with a rapidly changing world. Jim Hamilton weaves his expertise in natural history and the underground world of ginseng into a story and characters that reflect the region's struggles with poverty and a black market-economy still tied to its land and forests. The novel was nominated in 2020 for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award.

293 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2021

About the author

Jim Hamilton is a County Extension Director for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. While originally from a small town in east central Alabama, he's lived and worked in western North Carolina for the last 20 years. He holds a PhD in Forestry from NC State and is an adjunct professor at Appalachian State University in Boone. Before settling in the mountains in his current position, Jim was a Peace Corps Volunteer, an environmental consultant, an A.M. country music DJ, and a volunteer fireman. While he's written the requisite number of academic articles published in unreadable journals to warrant his credentials, he's really just a renaissance redneck who enjoys a good story and being in the woods. The Last Entry is his first novel.

Reviews

[Bobby Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun and entertaining read that centers around two boys and their grandfather in the ginseng hunt culture in the Appalachian mountains. The author, being a forester and professor, injects fascinating details that inform and vibrantly build the story's unique niche of mountain secrets around 'seng - a wild root that's as good as gold to some. Good characters, plot, and humor. Reads like a movie. Big recommend.

[MARY BARCELLONA · Rating 5 out of 5]

What An Amazing Story!

This Florida native has spent more than a little time in the mountains of North Carolina over the years. I’ve come to appreciate much about the unique plant life of the area, enjoying sights often from a forest trail ride on my patient horse. This book brings life to past adventures recalled out Buck Creek way and, more recently, near to Mr Henderson’s area of Watauga County. My book club and I anticipate your next tale of mountain lore.

[Glenn Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read whether you're into Appalachian mountain stories or not. It's emotional, fun, occasionally dark and foreboding - even sexy! A good tale about a good young man trying to find his way in the world and back home when the odds are heavily stacked against him. Highly recommend.

[Veronica Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this journey to the Appalachian countryside and the unknown world of ginseng. Memorable characters, twists and turns, and unlikely hero.

[Sofi Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading about the appalachian mountains and ginseng through these amazing characters! would definitely recommend.

[Ronda Charping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, sweet, real….

Story is real. The author had managed to give each character depth, and brought the story full circle. I really enjoyed the read.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

forestry 101

I did learn a lot about forestry, but felt the storyline could have used less on the forest and more on the emotions of the main characters.

[Nadya Volkov Senko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes you into a hidden world of ginseng.

[Amy Nabors · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Entry by Jim Hamilton follows the story of Tucker, a young man eager to make a better life than the difficult one in which he grew up in Appalachia. Hamilton brings his experience as an extension agent in the North Carolina mountains into the story and reminds us of how nature provides for us if we nurture & care for it in return.