Very informative book. Well organized.

Being a huge fan of dictionaries and encyclopedias; I simply had to examine The Kentucky Encyclopedia by John E. Kleber(Editor), et al. Whilst, I am not a resident of the state of Kentucky ( I live in Atlanta, GA), I have a neverending thirst for knowledge and therefore I thought that it would be pertient for a person of my taste to read and furthermore examine the mentioned item. It starts out with a beatifully detailed map of the state with all the counties; it follows up with a list of all the people whom contributed to this grand project which was printed by the venerable University Press OF Kentucky. The editorial staff section is also a nice touch and shows how much work that is required to produce on of these encyclopedias. The table of contents is also well developed with the following sections: Foreward, Preface, Kentucky: A Historical Overview by Thomas D. Clark, The guide for readers, The kentucky Encyclopedia, Biblographic essay and finally the index. The The first three sections, i.e., the Foreward, the Preface, and the longer article, Kentucky: A Historical Overview by Thomas D. Clark, are all written in a scholarly tone without being stuffy or pretentious. Especially the Clarke article is fascinating in its coverage of the founding of the State of Kentucky. The guide to readers is also helpful for people that are not accustoimed to using encyclopedias. The entries themselves are well written and the font chosen does not detract from the information. For instance if one wants to know whom Charles P. Farnsley was then one should rread p.309 and realize that amongst many things he was the major of Luisville 1948-1953 and that he received his bar in 1930. The index is also a blessing in its ease of use and makes the searching experience very enjoyable. Overall, this is the encyclopedia to get if one is remotely interested in the state of Kentucky and I would definetely recommend it.

If you buy only one book about Kentucky, this is the book to buy. Every aspect of Kentucky history is covered in detail. This is a compilation of articles submitted by over 500 people on various topics ranging from prehistoric Kentucky to modern times. Each one is a facinating description of Kentucky history that reads like a short story. I never tire of reading this book! Is is a must read for anyone who has ever been to or lived in Kentucky.

Although this book was published more than 60 years ago -- and has been updated several times since then -- it is THE PLACE to begin if you are curious about Kentucky's fascinating -- and often tragic -- history. Although "A New History of Kentucky" is more current and is quite good, Clark's book is essential for understanding the Bluegrass State and how it has evolved. Clark's book also gives you a deeper appreciation of "A New History" and helps you understand some of the finer points of that book as well. Clark is a first-rate historian, but he also is a wonderful story-teller as well. He weaves a compelling story about Kentucky as a place full of optimism, corruption, idealism and missed opportunity. He captures some of the commonwealth's more colorful figures without deifying anyone or losing focus. Trying to understand Kentucky without reading Clark is not unlike trying to comprehend Rome without reading Gibbon or England without reading Churchill.

This is an interesting, delightful read, which will make any Southerner, and, for that matter, any American, stop and think about the way things were. As suggested by Guice in the foreword, "There is hardly a 'plain vanilla' or 'B-flat' sentence in the entire book," and, indeed, there is not, as this book reads like a story, as opposed to a typical historical record. The author quite successfully describes "what happened" in terms of the tactile, visual, olfactory and auditory. A terrific account by a fascinating historian.

Among historians in Kentucky the name Thomas D. Clark is almost as important as Simon Kenton. Clark has had a remarkably long and fruitful career as a historian in Kentucky. Too many historians after a long career of teaching and writing history will retire into anonymity, but not Thomas Clark. Many years after the age when most people retire, Clark wrote a book about a frontiersman who first came into Kentucky when it was known as the Hostile West. This story of Kenton will not only come alive for adults, but could also be enjoyed by younger readers due to the audience that Clark had in mind when putting this history together. When first learning about the history of our nation, Kentucky students learn about the great military leaders of Virginia, and the men of the North East who dared to dream of being great political leaders, etc; It is hard to find a book that a young reader can sit down with and read about a person who will forever be known as a great Kentuckian. The life of Simon Kenton was not polished up by Clark and made into a politically correct story that will fit perfectly into our historical revisionistic modern textbooks. Clark doesn't cover up the fact that Kenton killed Indians, stole horses and guns, and took land away from people who certainly had rights to this beautiful hunting ground; this is REAL history, and it is written for an audience that may not otherwise hear this story. All young people, not only those who live in Kentucky, should learn about the life of Simon Kenton. Like Simon Kenton, Thomas D. Clark will forever be known as a great Kentuckian.

It is difficult living far from "my old Kentucky home" so to speak. However, a quick trip to the bookshelf for James Archambeault and Thomas Clark's Kentucky II quickly brings me home again. Kentucky II is predominantly a picture book that focuses on the natural beauty of Kentucky. Oh, and what wonderful pictures they are! The plunging cliffs of Red River Gorge seem almost within reach. The endless miles of streams and rivers look close enough for a swim. Kentucky II captures magnificently the beauty and serenity that is Kentucky. On the other hand, the book does focus too much on the natural side. Kentucky II is primarily devoted to nature, rural culture, and horse racing. There are very few pictures of city or town life. The book itself says "the cities, towns, and villages that today hold slightly more than half of Kentucky's population" (17). This half was nearly snubbed by this book. Louisville, Kentucky's first class city, gets one picture outside of the Churchill Downs horse racing track, while Kentucky's numerous second-class cities get two pictures total, one of Lexington and one of Covington. Kentucky II fails to deliver a complete picture of Kentucky. However, the pictures that are there are so wonderful that this book deserves at least a four star rating. If this book had been named Natural Kentucky, then it might seem less unsure of its mission. This book is a must have for those who wish to have the natural beauty of Kentucky at their fingertips.

It is also hard for me living way from Kentucky - as I attend Auburn University. When I do get homesick, I get out Kentucky II and it takes me there. It takes me back to the times of working on the farm, enjoying the beautiful fall colors, and the being with a brand of people like no where else. If you are a native Kentuckian or just want to enjoy the beautiful scenery of our state - from the Western Kentucky tobacco farms, to the Bluegrass, to the rugged mountains and forests of Eastern Kentucky - buy this book! As a amateur photographer, I can say James Archambeault is a hero!