I first encountered this book at the Detroit Public Library. I quickly determined to have my own copy, and obtained one through Amazon.com. Mr. Smith and his dulcimer friends have come through with the goods! Many historical photos round out the fascinating text and interesting anecdotes from those who brought us the mountain dulcimer as we know it today. Read how the dulcimer shapes came to be, and who the early builders were. I highly recommend this book to any true mountain dulcimer enthusiast. Congratulations, Mr. Smith!

A great book! It is a good reference work on the mountain dulcimer. Mr. Smith has performed a great service to everyone interested in it. It is a trememdous history lesson on the development of the mountain dulcimer and is loaded with photographs documenting how it has changed from its roots to what it is today. It also identifies those people who were important in its development. A real historical learning experience for the novice player and, I would assume, the experienced, too. If you're interested in the dulcimer or just an Appalacian history buff, you will like this book.

Ralph Lee Smith teaches a course in dulcimer history at the annual Dulcimer Playing Workshop at Appalachian State University, of which I am the director. His presentations are invariably among the high points of the Workshop. Through him, we all keep in touch with the dulcimer's beautiful heritage in the mountains, and the people of the mountains who have handed the dulcimer down to us. This charming book contains much of the exciting information and many of the tales that he brings to us each year. For people who love the dulcimer, and people who love the mountain world even if they aren't familiar with the dulcimer, this book is a treasure. Don't miss it!

I bought this book because it traces the history of the mountain dulcimer westward on the wilderness trail. Madeline MacNeil offers a map and directions and black and white photos to direct you on a modern pilgrimage of this trail, if you would like to experience the modern trail first hand. This is a trip I would like to take in the future. The history is straightforward and clear, and dulcimer tabulatures are given for tunes that came from different locations along the trail. Fascinating material to be used for entertainers, reenactors, storeytellers and dulcimer players. Audiences enjoy knowing brief histories and how tunes fit them. There are many early tunes in this instruction manual. The tab is clear and many early appalachian tunings are used. The only recommendation that I would make, is it would be nice if Madeline MacNeil and Ralph Smith had made an accompanying CD of all the tunes in the book. I would buy it!

As a chiropractic patient, I can attest to the fact that chiropractic works wonders. I was embarrassed reading this nonsense. That is, I was embarrassed for the author--shame on him for wasting my time.

As a medical doctor, I can tell you this book is filled with erroneous information. I refer to chiropractors on a daily basis. This book is grossly outdated.

Too many mistakes to list here. Don't waste your money on this badly researched dribble.