by Tim Rowland
First published 2009
Western Maryland's rugged peaks hold centuries of American stories. Local columnist Tim Rowland guides readers through the Appalachian Highlands where a future president once traveled and Civil War battles determined the nation's fate. He chronicles the tension between Native Americans and incoming settlers, then moves through the bloody ridgeline fighting at South Mountain. Rowland describes how Prohibition brought violence to the dark hemlock forests and how the B&O Railroad transformed the region. His narrative weaves together presidential retreats and grand Gilded Age resorts with tales of determined hikers and mischievous spirits. Written with sharp observation and wry humor, the book captures both the dramatic history and stunning natural beauty that define this unique corner of Appalachia.
Genres: history, non-fiction, american-history
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking, wry-humor
Tropes: historical-narrative, regional-exploration
Setting: Maryland, Appalachian Highlands, South Mountain
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century
131 pages · Kindle Edition · The History Press