Enlightening read!
As a native of this area of Appalachia, I am always wary of books about characters who "lift up the mountain people" but this one is different. This is not the "outsider rescues natives from ignorance" genre. Instead, it gives an honest account of the confluence of forces?environmental degradation, limited educational and economic opportunities and geographic isolation?that struck a region with few resources. It doesn't take the pity approach and it tells of Kenneth Killinger's true love for the people of the area and how the church stepped up and did what the church is supposed to do: take care of the less fortunate. His good deeds still live on in these mountains.
