Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for June 2–8

This week, we feature a Smoky Mountains cookbook with a side of savory stories and a unique slant on one of America’s most beloved illustrators.

Art

‘Norman Rockwell’s Models: In and out of the Studio’ By S.T. Haggerty

For fans of Norman Rockwell, Haggerty has made a beautiful and unique contribution to the artist’s legacy. The author thoroughly discusses many of Rockwell’s paintings from the perspective of those who modeled for them, including their experiences while the works were produced and what it was like anticipating the release of the artwork. It also tells of how Rockwell came across and selected models and why he chose regular people instead of professionals for his paintings. It’s an intimate look at one of America’s treasures.

Rowman & Littlefield, 2023, 312 pages

History

‘Smoke ’Em if You Got ’Em: The Rise and Fall of the Military Cigarette Ration’ By Joel R. Bius

Anyone in the U.S. military before 1980 remembers the cry “Smoke ’em if you got ’em.” Most lit up a cigarette. In 1900, cigarettes were viewed as unmanly. World War I changed that as cigarettes helped doughboys tolerate trench life. In 1973, when the all-volunteer army was instituted, the military discouraged smoking to keep down health care costs, and cigarette use has now plunged to near 1900 levels. This book gives interesting insights into the link between cigarettes and the military.

Naval Institute Press, 2018, 328 pages

Cooking

‘Fishing for Chickens: A Smokies Food Memoir’ By Jim Casada

In a very interesting memoir twist, this book combines history, kitchen lore, information about the basic foods of Appalachia, old-time recipes, and ancestral tales set around cooking and meals. Casada is a native of these mountains and author of some 30 books, including “A Smoky Mountain Boyhood,” and here he puts together a well-seasoned stew that should appeal to many tastes. If you enjoy regional history, books about cooking, or just some fine storytelling, here’s a memoir to satisfy you.

University of Georgia Press, 2022, 336 pages

Classics

‘Another Sort of Learning’ By James V. Schall

Here’s an eccentric collection of essays erudite, witty, and reflective. Schall covers a wide range of topics—literature, theology, philosophy, even a chapter “On the Seriousness of Sports.” Also included are essays on teaching along with advice for students, including “What a Student Owes His Teacher.” The book lists accompanying each chapter are a huge plus. Authors discussed range from Plato to Josef Pieper to George Gilder. This is a “big questions” book accessible to the general reader.

Ignatius Press, 1988, 300 pages

Nonfiction

‘Gila Lost and Found: Search and Rescue in New Mexico’ By Marc Levesque

Search and Rescue Field Coordinator Marc Levesque shares experiences from his decades-long career in the rescue business in New Mexico. Told through real-life stories, readers will get a glimpse into the intricacies and challenges of finding the lost, stranded, or injured in some of the most rugged and remote corners of the Southwest. Harrowed yet hopeful, numerous teams of unsung heroes coalesce to bring calm out of chaos. These are gripping accounts told from a voice steeped in wilderness wisdom.

Red Planet Press, 2021, 222 pages

For Kids

‘The Tanglewood Tales’ By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Published in 1853, “The Tanglewood Tales” features six Greek myths retold by Nathaniel Hawthorne, including “The Minotaur,” “The Pygmies,” “The Golden Fleece,” and more. Hawthorne aimed to provide child-appropriate versions of these timeless tales. The sequel to “A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys,” it’s a wonderful addition to a child’s library.

Dover Publications, 2017, 224 pages