Kentucky in American Letters, 1784-1912. Vol. 1 of 2

"Kentucky in American Letters, 1784-1912. Vol. 1 of 2" by John Wilson Townsend is a journey through over a century of Kentucky's literary past, presenting noteworthy writers and their works inspired by the state. The book is for those fascinated by American literature and Kentucky's unique stories. Townsend starts by thinking about what makes a "Kentucky book" and what defines the state's literature, introducing important historical figures like John Filson, who first captured the state's descriptions. He then introduces several other important authors from Kentucky connecting their work to both the state's cultural identity and to bigger themes in American history. In doing so, the establishment forms a historical background that appreciates Kentucky's literature and prepares to show how that literature has changed through the years presented in the novel.