Roots of a Region: Southern Folk Culture

This book is a fine introduction to folklore in America's southland. It's written by a professor and published by a university press, but it doesn't feel like a dry, arcane tome. Burrison introduces southern folklore by first introducing readers to himself. This approach works effectively as he discusses how he moved from Philadephia to Atlanta in the 1960s to accept a position teaching and researching folklore in the Deep South. These chapter shows how his initial preconceptions, interests, and experiences shaped his later research. It also provides a great background for understanding his presentation of various aspects of folklore, especially as they relate to southern history. My favorite chapter is drawn from Burrison's excellent research on folk pottery in Georgia and North Carolina. It is an in-depth study of this still-vibrant tradition, presented in an engaging, well-written style. The discussion is particularly interesting when he focuses on the history of the face jugs (or "ugly jugs") that have now achieved the status of icons of southern folk art. The book is especially well designed and illustrated with good drawing, photos, and vivid color plates. Readers wanting more information will appreciate the extensive bibliography, but they'll also find a solid background on a variety of traditions within the book's varied chapters.