New Book Releases

Although many towns have changed dramatically from the way they are depicted in old photographs, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is an exception.

Thanks to restorations by the National Park Service, the Lower Town of Harpers Ferry appears much as it did in 1859. Established in 1763 as ""Shenandoah Falls at Mr. Harper's Ferry,"" the town became the site of one of Pres. George Washington's arsenals and armories and later was the location for John Brown's ill-fated raid.

The New River, creeks, limestone, timber, mineral springs, mountains, and railroads have shaped the small communities, industries, and tourism of Giles County, Virginia.

Many once-bustling places in the county are quieter today, but buildings and landscapes of earlier times are still present and interesting to compare to photographs of the past. Terri L. Fisher, executive director of the Giles County Historical Society and author of Images of America: Pearisburg and Giles County and Lost Communities of Virginia, is a resident of Narrows.

Prince William County, just south of Washington, D.C., has changed dramatically over the years.

The area welcomes thousands of visitors annually to historic sites and is home to thousands more residents. This volume takes readers on a journey through the county that preserves its past with an eye to the future.

Take a holiday to beautiful Virginia Beach and discover the area's rich history, dating back to the 17th century.

Virginia Beach offers a variety of attractions, but few who visit know that there is an area with a history that dates back to the 17th century. Many early structures remain intact and appreciated, while others fell into ruin and exist only in photographs and memories. Then & Now: Virginia Beach is a road trip through the past and present.

Travel back in time and witness Roanoke Valley's humble beginnings and how it has grown into the region it is today.

Nestled in the shadows of the Blue Ridge, the Roanoke Valley has developed as the capital region for western Virginia. After a century of growth fueled by transportation, education, and healthcare, the region has undergone significant visible change. While some of the valley's landmarks remain, many have been replaced or dramatically altered.

Images of America: The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 brings together 200 vintage images that offer readers a look at one of the darkest chapters in the region's history.

From the time settlers first pushed into the Ohio Valley, floods were an accepted fact of life. After each flood, people shoveled the mud from their doors and set about rebuilding their towns. In 1884, the Ohio River washed away 2,000 homes. In 1913, an even worse flood swept down the river. People labeled it the ""granddaddy"" of all floods. Little did they know there was worse yet to come. In 1937, raging flood waters inundated thousands of houses, businesses, factories, and farms in a half dozen states, drove one million people from their homes, claimed nearly 400 lives, and recorded $500 million in damages. Adding to the misery was the fact that the disaster came during the depths of the Depression, when many families were already struggling.

Join Historian and Author Susan Hoffer McMillan as she reveals the history and evolution of Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand in South Carolina.

The once-quiet towns of the Grand Strand are being replaced by mega-structures for accommodation, dining, and entertainment. Images in this volume span the 20th century, chronicling the evolution of a resort once touted as ""the world's greatest playground."" Featured are the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion, beach hotel expansions, and freshwater estuaries overshadowed by development.

Discover the history of Palm Beach in this book as we see the evolution of the area in stunning images.

Once referred to as a ""veritable paradise"" by Florida developer Henry M. Flagler, Palm Beach has transformed from a small frontier community to a remarkably picturesque historic town. The seaside resort's charm is found in its diverse architecture, landmarks, mega-mansions, beaches, and land and streetscapes.

Mix yourself a Hurricane and see New Orleans through a glass of rum.

Like a drunken Mardi Gras parade, the history of New Orleans lurches from electrifying highs to heart-rending lows. Through it all, good drink was a constant - especially rum. The victory at the Battle of New Orleans was sealed with a barrel of rum, and a half-hearted implementation of Prohibition a century later certainly didn't dampen the city's spirits. From priests making tafia to modern delights like Old New Orleans and Bayou, rum has always been an integral part of the funky, sultry, crazy story of the Crescent City. Longtime historian and writer Mikko Macchione presents a witty and informative history of the city and its love affair with the sweetest of liquors.

The Highs and Lows of Little Five Points documents the transformations of Atlanta's first Neighborhood Commercial District.

Atlanta's Little Five Points, the city's first Neighborhood Commercial District, stands out as one of the most distinctive shopping districts in the Southeast. There have been quite a few ups and downs in the area's history, but ultimately the dedicated, passionate individuals who made L5P what it is today handled them with perseverance and foresight, creating unique, independently owned stores that draw the most eclectic mix of people found anywhere in Atlanta. The cultural melting pot created by these stores is what makes Little Five Points such a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Join author Robert Hartle Jr. as he tells the story of the revitalization of Little Five Points, including firsthand accounts from longtime L5P business owners who were actually there and who helped to save the area from the many threats to its survival.

In this charming account, North Carolina historian Jane Gibson Nardy recounts a treasure-trove of true stories from her beloved Blue Ridge community, Cashiers.

In addition to several generations of family memorabilia from her personal library, Nardy has also culled the area's public records--deeds, wills, marriage registers and even tombstones--all of which help to create a vivid picture of mountain life in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Some of the tales will amuse and some will sadden, but all will educate you about the wonderful heritage of Cashiers.

Lexington documents the history and evolutoin of this city nestled in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region.

Situated in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region, Lexington is known as a cultural center throughout the state. The city, with its strong sense of history, education, and commerce, has undergone dramatic change, making way for development and progress with each new decade.

The engaging history of Buchanan County is explored in-depth in this book.

Buchanan County, like many small counties, has gone through boom and bust in its history. From floods and fires to economic prosperity, Buchanan went from being one of the wealthiest counties to one of the poorest in the state of Virginia. Unlike many small counties, Buchanan is reinventing itself. The original county is no more and is currently being rebuilt.