"Memories of Old Smoky: Early Experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains,” Carlos C. Campbell. University of Tennessee Press, 2005. 216pp. softcover $18.95. 865/974-3321. http://utpress.org.

Some of the most beautiful land in the country is also in many of our backyards. In his “Memories of Old Smoky,” Carlos C. Campbell captures the very essence of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from his perspective as one of its devoted proponents and early explorers.
Campbell and fellow hikers discover sweeping landscapes and hidden meadows, breathtaking waterfalls and snow-covered trails revealing the all-season beauty of the Great Smokies. Campbell provides practical advice to would-be hikers, such as how to buy hiking boots a size larger and what type of fuel to gather for a campfire during wet weather.

Campbell also tells delightful anecdotes of the people and places of the Great Smokies, such as the story of the Walker Sisters who devised an ingenious fly-brush to sweep away pesky insects during meals, and boomers (small red squirrels) who stole sweets from the author's pack when it was left unattended.

This book not only serves as a guide to some of the spectacular destinations among the Great Smoky National Park, but also as a testament to Appalachian culture. This guide and memoir will perfectly accompany a hiker's guide book to the park, offering more than a route through the land, but a journey into its heart.

—Cary Thomas