Local authors release new book, signing Oct. 15
October 13, 2021
Submitted content
Local author Tom Koob has just released a new book.
Co-authored with Curtis Copeland, Ozarks Hillbilly Stereotype and Reality researches the origins, development and usage of the “hillbilly” stereotype and image.
Koob says, “Curtis and I had a conversation about the inaccurate portrayals that are sometimes applied to Ozarkers. We wanted to present an alternate view based on personal stories of strong, successful characters from the past and present. Our discussion led to this book.”
Koob and Copeland will have a book signing at the Barry County Museum on Friday, October 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, and at the Shell Knob Library, from 1 to 3 p.m. on the same day.
Ozarks Hillbilly traces the images of the mountain folk that some of the first chroniclers of the region wrote about. Outlanders like Henry Rowe Schoolcraft and George Featherstonhaugh toured the Ozarks in the early 1800s. They documented their travels and described the people they encountered. Unfortunately, these accounts were often critical and judged the early settlers by an elite bias. Throughout much of the nineteenth century, Ozarks folk and mountain people in general were portrayed in a comic sense. Particularly, the Southwestern humorists penned stories that sometimes admitted the rugged skills and generosity of the Ozark folk, but more often made fun of them.
The advent of the twentieth century brought conflicting views of rural dwellers. There was a new, admiring respect in the Country Life Movement and in romanticized novels like Harold Bell Wright’s Shepherd of the Hills. But at the same time, the mass media of newspapers, films, music, and live entertainment often presented inaccurate portraits. Some of these portrayals were just silly, while others were outright insulting.
Ozarks Hillbilly presents all the various images that have lampooned Ozark people for the last two hundred years. Koob and Copeland present true life stories throughout the book that contradict these images. Bios of true Ozarkers, past and present, offer a much more praiseworthy depiction of what it took to live a good life in these rugged hills and hollows.
Well researched, Koob and Copeland’s book cites the writing of several Ozark historians. The book also includes many photographs and images that bring the book to life. Classic photos from the Vance Randolph Collection and the Townsend Godsey Collection reveal the strength and character of the Ozarks people.
Ozarks Hillbilly presents a refreshing analysis of the often maligned, misunderstood mountain folk of this region. With a balanced assessment, the book reveals how the term “hillbilly” has taken on dual meanings, based on the context of its use. The writers do a thorough job of presenting this dichotomous view and offer a more positive interpretation.
To make their book available and hear opinions about their subject matter, Koob and Copeland will have a book signing at the Barry County Museum on Friday, October 15 from 10 am. - 12 p.m., and at the Shell Knob Library from 1- 3 p.m. on October 15.
Submitted content
Local author Tom Koob has just released a new book.
Co-authored with Curtis Copeland, Ozarks Hillbilly Stereotype and Reality researches the origins, development and usage of the “hillbilly” stereotype and image.
Koob says, “Curtis and I had a conversation about the inaccurate portrayals that are sometimes applied to Ozarkers. We wanted to present an alternate view based on personal stories of strong, successful characters from the past and present. Our discussion led to this book.”
Koob and Copeland will have a book signing at the Barry County Museum on Friday, October 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, and at the Shell Knob Library, from 1 to 3 p.m. on the same day.
Ozarks Hillbilly traces the images of the mountain folk that some of the first chroniclers of the region wrote about. Outlanders like Henry Rowe Schoolcraft and George Featherstonhaugh toured the Ozarks in the early 1800s. They documented their travels and described the people they encountered. Unfortunately, these accounts were often critical and judged the early settlers by an elite bias. Throughout much of the nineteenth century, Ozarks folk and mountain people in general were portrayed in a comic sense. Particularly, the Southwestern humorists penned stories that sometimes admitted the rugged skills and generosity of the Ozark folk, but more often made fun of them.
The advent of the twentieth century brought conflicting views of rural dwellers. There was a new, admiring respect in the Country Life Movement and in romanticized novels like Harold Bell Wright’s Shepherd of the Hills. But at the same time, the mass media of newspapers, films, music, and live entertainment often presented inaccurate portraits. Some of these portrayals were just silly, while others were outright insulting.
Ozarks Hillbilly presents all the various images that have lampooned Ozark people for the last two hundred years. Koob and Copeland present true life stories throughout the book that contradict these images. Bios of true Ozarkers, past and present, offer a much more praiseworthy depiction of what it took to live a good life in these rugged hills and hollows.
Well researched, Koob and Copeland’s book cites the writing of several Ozark historians. The book also includes many photographs and images that bring the book to life. Classic photos from the Vance Randolph Collection and the Townsend Godsey Collection reveal the strength and character of the Ozarks people.
Ozarks Hillbilly presents a refreshing analysis of the often maligned, misunderstood mountain folk of this region. With a balanced assessment, the book reveals how the term “hillbilly” has taken on dual meanings, based on the context of its use. The writers do a thorough job of presenting this dichotomous view and offer a more positive interpretation.
To make their book available and hear opinions about their subject matter, Koob and Copeland will have a book signing at the Barry County Museum on Friday, October 15 from 10 am. - 12 p.m., and at the Shell Knob Library from 1- 3 p.m. on October 15.
