Comin' Round The Mountain

It’s been over a year since I first became acquainted with Brian Blake of Shelton, Connecticut. Blake discovered the Blind Pig & The Acorn Blog while researching Appalachia for Under Brilliant Stars-a biography of his great-grandfather.

Brian Blake’s grandfather, Colonel John Y.F. Blake, 1856-1907 was a celebrated commander of the Irish Brigade in the Boer War. John Y.F. “Beau” Blake’s father, born in East Tennessee in 1813, was a woodsman.

Last spring, Brian Blake asked me to review “Comin’ Round the Mountain,” an excerpt from the forth coming biography which deals with his family's history in Appalachia from Daniel Boone through the War of 1812. I was thoroughly impressed with the excerpt; it left me wanting to know what came before in the Blake Clan's history-and what came afterward as well. I was tickled pink when Blake said I could use the excerpt as a giveaway here on the Blind Pig.

Information about the Biography in Blake’s own words:

Acclaimed as “Liberty’s Champion,” Colonel Blake’s inter­national career span­ned the Wild West and the Age of Imperialism. Placing this intrepid adventur­er in perspective, Brian’s book surveys England and America from 1262 to the Edwardian Era, with twenty generations of the Colonel’s forefathers as a common thread. His family chronicle from Colonial Virginia to Frontier Texas is the saga of America. This sketch of the life and times of our country’s pioneer ancestors should appeal to all who wonder who we are and how we got that way.

Under Brilliant Stars was begun in 1984 for our author’s now-grown son, and is due for completion in 2012. For genealogists seeking to swell the parade, an appendix will list over sixty related families. Our Comments Prize pamphlet includes a page of “Family Thoughts,” the book’s table of contents and foreword, and a recipe for hellfire stew, that staple of the Confederate Army in the Civil War.

Now retired from a career in banking and finance, Brian is a director of the New York Society of the Founders and Patriots of America, a Vietnam veteran, and a graduate of Harvard University. I’m sure you, too, will enjoy “Comin’ Round the Mountain” when she comes.

Brian P.T. Blake

While I'm sure the entire book, Under Brilliant Stars, will be a fascinating read; I feel positive anyone with an interest in Appalachia will more than appreciate the excerpt "Comin' Round the Mountain".

Leave a comment on this post to be entered in the giveaway. (The giveaway ends on Sunday April 15th )

Tipper

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Comments

[RB]

It's so interesting to me to read things like this.

I'd love to be entered in the giveaway.

God bless.

RB
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[Luann]

Sounds like it will be a great read!

[Ron Banks]

Sounds like a good one. Sign me up!

[susie swanson]

I bet that will be a great read, Anything concerning our area is so interesting..

[Ferne Kellow]

I'll be watching for the full-length book, as I have ancestors from eastern Tennessee and somewhere in North Carolina. Until then, sign me up for the excerpt.

[Marylou Sweat]

I love genealogy and have been tracing my family for years. Mostly in NC, some SC and Va also. Even in NY I'm sad to admit ;o) This book sounds like it's going to be a great read...looking forward to it. Marylou

[Ethel]

Sounds like a fascinating read! I have been doing genealogy for decades and never cease to be amazed - as Appalachians we are all descended from heroes!

[Suzi Phillips]

Comin' Round the Mtn is stuck in my head-but in a good way. When I was little, we would pile our barbies, coloring books, etc. in the car & go out on the mountain to see my grandparents. The closer we got, the more excited my mom would get. Half way up the mountain she would start singing & of course we were required to join in. Oh, she'll be driving a new Galaxy 500 when she comes! Oh, she'll be driving a new Galaxy 500 when she comes!-Thanks for the smile, Tipper.

[Karen Larsen]

Sounds so interesting... I'd love to be in the drawing!

[Bradley]

Family history especially anything dealing with the mountains fascinates me. Mr Blake's family sure sounds like they have very much a history of interest.

[Miss Cindy]

You know, Tipper, every day I open your blog and think....."I wonder what that girl is going to come up today?" ...and every day I am surprised and never, ever disappointed.
Mr Blake picked the right girl to review his writing. You have an eye for the interesting and you always bring it to us to look at too.
Thank you!

[Sherry]

Oh, I know my sister, Charline and I will be so happy to get ahold of this book! She does the geneology thing...all the work, and I enjoy reading it all! We will see if our families cross paths...

[kat]

Looking forward to reading his book. Having traced Mama's linage back to Hannah Boone Pennington,Sister to Daniel, it would be very interesting reading.

[Thurmon Allen]

I think the book will be a great read , if you know when it will be released please let us all know, thanks Tipper.

[Rick Kratzke]

Very interesting post, I always did like history.

[Mary Holcomb Brock]

Thank you for your daily Posts.I too will be waiting for this book!
I have 23 families of Applachia I have proven connections with.
Mary Brock

[Barb Johnson]

count me in please!

[B. Ruth]

Tipper,

and Mr. Blake....Thanks for including all of us in your glimpse of your new book...

At first when I opened the Blind Pig this morning I thought, well now, we are going to

be singing "Comin' round the Mountain" and I knew I could join in since I have sung

that song many times to my grandchildren....LOL

Brian Blake sure picked a goodin' to review the excerpt of his family history that includes

Appalachian roots...

The book sounds very interesting and I am looking forward to reading it....I hope it

comes out on the Kindle as well...What a wonderful family history he has written for

the future generations...

Thanks Tipper,

PS..."She'll be wearing wool pajamas when she comes" Tonight for shore,

I hope to have Chicken n' Dumplin's too. To ward off this cold and freeze

due today and tonight!....LOL.

[Special Ed]

I shore hope the book has alot of pitchers in it. My tooter sez my spelin an ritin isa comin a long but my reedins not as good. Mabee buy the time it is out ill bee abel too git threw it.

[Gloria Owenby]

Sounds like a very interesting read, am looking forward to reading the book in its entirety.I love this history of Appalachia! Will be interesting to see the families that spotlights. Gloria Owenby

[Ken]

Tipper,
Brian sure has an interesting book
stemming 20 generations of family.
I guess most of us don't even know
past our grandparents...Ken

[Melissa P (Misplaced Southerner)]

This looks to be a fascinating book. History can be so "dry." When it's told in the context of someone's family, it has to make history come alive and more personal. Looking forward to reading this book!

[Mamabug]

I love reading historical literature. It does my heart good to know people are preserving family history.

[Bill Burnett]

Having traced my Mother's linage back to Lady Anne St. Leger in the 1400s England I would be very interested to see if the Blake linage crosses with mine by chance. Anyone interested in Applachain History should enjoy "A Journey in Courage" a Historical Novel co-written by Robert Shook of Macon Co. about the Shook families voyage from Europe to WNC.

[Lise]

What a treat and honor to be asked to review the "Coming Around the Mountain" section of this facinating sounding book! Can't wait to read it:)

[S Kalvaitis]

I wouldn't know where to start looking for where my people came from or what they did with their lives. But I like hearing about other families journeys through time. This will be a very interresting book.

[PinnacleCreek]

Very interesting! I absolutely love History, and really have never been into reading fiction. There is something in my appalachian roots that makes me love reading anything about the area. What a great idea! Comin' Around the Mountain wll definately be an intersting read.

[Garland Davis]

That excerpt is something I would love to have. I'll be looking for the book.

[Shirla]

Brian's grandfather would have been proud of his accomplishments. I admire all veterans, especially the ones who served in Vietnam. I will definitely be looking forward to the book's release.

[Uncle Al]

History is facinating no matter whose or what location. However it is always much more interesting and enticing when the historical setting is either in or close to your own place of rearing. This should definitely be an interesting read. Thanks for sharing Tipper.

[Cee]

I am intrigued...I will be anxiously awaiting the release of this book.

[dolores barton]

I always wondered about the significance of the song. Very interesting at best! I'm not a true history buff, but I know I will find his story both educational and interesting.

[Robert Wolford]

Sounds like a great read can't wait!

[Marianne]

Oh my, this sounds like a fantastic read!!! Historical books are my favorites and those about family histories are the best! I hope if I don't win this, I can find it on Amazon, I don't get into a good size books store very often anymore. Thanks for the opportunity!
Marianne

[MadSnapper]

oh no, now i am singing the song comin round the mountain, it popped right in my head when i read the post. you found me feb 2010 when i did my post on Appalachia speak to me. i am so happy you did, I love keeping up with you and your family