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Kurt's avatar

I’m from western PA. Wonderful piece, David. Quite moving.

It gives me great hope that the days of over-the-top racist ravings of the left (TK) may be numbered. I hope we can move beyond these times when those bullying tactics carry the day on social media, academia, corporate workplaces, corporate media, and all levels of government.

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Not so young anymore.'s avatar

I live in non Appalachia ohio. Parts of Appalachia in other states are really beautiful but I can’t say that for Appalachian ohio. You get all of the problems but not the beauty.

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William “David" Pleasance's avatar

I need to read, “Albion’s Seed”. Despite being in the Army, witnessing cultural differences in America has always made me feel like a tourist. I am firmly in a “proud, orderly, Protestant” cultural tradition (Puritan, or Nordic Lutheran, in flavor), but I yearn to understand the differences … that out of many may come one.

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Jonathan Gordon's avatar

Wow. I’ve become an ardent fan of your writing, David. You have such potent insights and a style and clarity that is always engaging, no matter how complex the subject matter. But most notably, you write with a rare degree of empathy that makes your truth all the more potent. I find myself thinking about things you write long after reading them.

(Also, really enjoyed your episode on the History Impossible podcast!)

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David Josef Volodzko's avatar

Thank you, Jonathan. I am often mining rocky subjects for veins of empathy and then trying to polish and serve them up as best I can, so your words mean a lot to me.

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Irene Dickendrizzi's avatar

8 bullets is the truest Appalachian trail/ mountain story. Everyone should read it

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David Josef Volodzko's avatar

Rebecca Wight and Claudia Brenner went to my alma mater. I haven't read the book but will check it out. Thanks for the recommendation. Not sure I know what you mean by "truest." Wight was Iranian-Puerto Rican, Brenner was from Manhattan, and Stephen Ray Carr was from Florida, I believe.

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Irene Dickendrizzi's avatar

Well the terror of the region is ghastly true in it. Maybe you can reach out and get an update on the perspective. A sad sad terrifying true story.

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David Josef Volodzko's avatar

Sadly, it is of course a true story. And Carr was clearly a psychopath. I just didn't know if you meant "truest" in the sense of being the most representative of the region. I ordered the book. Thanks again.

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