The Kentucky Encyclopedia

by John E. Kleber (Editor)

Overview

The Kentucky Encyclopedia's 2,000-plus entries are the work of more than five hundred writers. Their subjects reflect all areas of the commonwealth and span the time from prehistoric settlement to today's headlines, recording Kentuckians' achievements in art, architecture, business, education, politics, religion, science, and sports. Biographical sketches portray all of Kentucky's governors and U.S. senators, as well as note congressmen and state and local politicians. Kentucky's impact on the national scene is registered in the lives of such figures as Carry Nation, Henry Clay, Louis Brandeis, and Alben Barkley. The commonwealth's high range from writers Harriette Arnow and Jesse Stuart, reformers Laura Clay and Mary Breckinridge, and civil rights leaders Whitney Young, Jr., and Georgia Powers, to sports figures Muhammad Ali and Adolph Rupp and entertainers Loretta Lynn, Merle Travis, and the Everly Brothers. Entries describe each county and county seat and each community with a population above 2,500. Broad overview articles examine such topics as agriculture, segregation, transportation, literature, and folklife. Frequently misunderstood aspects of Kentucky's history and culture are clarified and popular misconceptions corrected. The facts on such subjects as mint juleps, Fort Knox, Boone's coonskin cap, the Kentucky hot brown, and Morgan's Raiders will settle many an argument. For both the researcher and the more casual reader, this collection of facts and fancies about Kentucky and Kentuckians will be an invaluable resource.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813117720
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	05/18/1992
Pages:	1080
Sales rank:	978,654
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

John E. Kleber, emeritus professor of history at Morehead State University, is the editor of The Kentucky Encyclopedia and The Encyclopedia of Louisville.

Editorial Reviews

It is remarkable that John E. Kleber and his editorial team designed and executed the Commonwealth's premiere bicentennial project, The Kentucky Encyclopedia, in four short years.... A very promising research tool for the preparation of Kentucky's next few decades of historical writing.

Journal of Southern History

Over two thousand entries by more than five hundred authors who represented diverse educational, cultural, and regional backgrounds.... Clearly organized and easy to use.... A useful compendium of information that balances political, social, and economic history and gives voice to the regional diversity of the state.

Journal of American History

Will be referred to for decades, maybe centuries.

Kentucky Living

A ready source of readable history, entertaining folklore, humor, even mystery, and a mother lode of genealogical information.

Lexington Herald-Leader

"A ready source of readable history, entertaining folklore, humor, even mystery, and a mother lode of genealogical information." — Lexington Herald-Leader

"Over two thousand entries by more than five hundred authors who represented diverse educational, cultural, and regional backgrounds.... Clearly organized and easy to use.... A useful compendium of information that balances political, social, and economic history and gives voice to the regional diversity of the state." — Journal of American History

"It is remarkable that John E. Kleber and his editorial team designed and executed the Commonwealth's premiere bicentennial project, The Kentucky Encyclopedia, in four short years.... A very promising research tool for the preparation of Kentucky's next few decades of historical writing." — Journal of Southern History

"Will be referred to for decades, maybe centuries." — Kentucky Living

From the Publisher

From bluegrass to bourbon to basketball, Kentucky celebrates its bicentennial in 1992. The Kentucky Encyclopedia is a fitting tribute to 200 years of statehood--a major accomplishment and a model reference volume. The book includes over 2000 entries spanning the history, politics, economy, arts, recreation, and biography of the state. Far more than history, the encyclopedia documents all aspects of the evolution of Kentucky. The entries range from a brief paragraph to several pages (coal mining, tobacco, and caves). The work of over 500 contributors, the volume leaves few Kentucky stones unturned. The arrangement is alphabetical, and cross references are indicated in small capitals within an entry. Bibliographic notes are added for many entries, and entries are signed unless they were written by the staff of the volume. A 15-page overview of Kentucky emphasizing the 20th century introduces the entries. After hours of scanning the encyclopedia for errors, only a handful of mistakes were identified, and those were minor. The Kentucky Encyclopedia is highly recommended.--Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., Ala.

Library Journal

The story (past and present) of the Derby in eleven photographic chapters with 343 color pictures and accompanying text. For buffs. A product of the Kentucky Bicentennial Commission, the Encyclopedia's approximately 2,000 entries--the work of some 500 writers--reflect more than 200 years of Kentucky as a commonwealth, with an emphasis on the 20th century. Geographical balance is sought as well, and entries were selected partly to reflect regionalism and urban-rural diversity. Although history is the backbone of the reference, entries are also included about such subjects as the arts, communications, economics, education, folklife, literature, politics, religion, sciences, sports, and transportation. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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