Charles D. Thompson Jr. directs undergraduate studies at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. He is the author or editor of three books, an oral historian, a documentary photographer, and filmmaker.

"Thompson's book is a fascinating glimpse into the life of a religious community in America. His work will be of interest to oral historians, who will be pleased that his contextualization of each narrative includes narrative description of the activities, location, and even weather during his interview."--Journal of Folklore Research"This fair and richly researched analysis provides insight into a unique religious minority and their alternative witness against the hidden costs of industrialized agriculture and suburban development in the United States."--Journal of Southern History"Provides excellent and moving insight into the decline of farming in a rural community under development pressure."--Appalachian Journal"Thompson's book is a welcome addition to scholarship on a wide range of topics… Libraries with collections focusing on Virginia, Appalachia, agricultural history, religious history, and oral history will want to purchase this book. Highly recommended."--Choice

• Contents Prologue: Of Soil and Stories Acknowledgments Note on Photographs Introduction: Nonresistance and Change Part I. Saints in the Wilderness 1. The Ancient Order 2. The Carolina Road Part II. Wilderness No More 3. Raising Citizens 4. Community-Based Agriculture 5. Adversity and Perseverance 6. Membership 7. Hope Epilogue: They Go Quietly Notes Index

Charles D. Thompson Jr. directs undergraduate studies at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. He is the author or editor of three books, an oral historian, a documentary photographer, and filmmaker.

"Thompson's book is a fascinating glimpse into the life of a religious community in America. His work will be of interest to oral historians, who will be pleased that his contextualization of each narrative includes narrative description of the activities, location, and even weather during his interview."--Journal of Folklore Research"This fair and richly researched analysis provides insight into a unique religious minority and their alternative witness against the hidden costs of industrialized agriculture and suburban development in the United States."--Journal of Southern History"Provides excellent and moving insight into the decline of farming in a rural community under development pressure."--Appalachian Journal"Thompson's book is a welcome addition to scholarship on a wide range of topics… Libraries with collections focusing on Virginia, Appalachia, agricultural history, religious history, and oral history will want to purchase this book. Highly recommended."--Choice

• Contents Prologue: Of Soil and Stories Acknowledgments Note on Photographs Introduction: Nonresistance and Change Part I. Saints in the Wilderness 1. The Ancient Order 2. The Carolina Road Part II. Wilderness No More 3. Raising Citizens 4. Community-Based Agriculture 5. Adversity and Perseverance 6. Membership 7. Hope Epilogue: They Go Quietly Notes Index

Charles D. Thompson Jr. directs undergraduate studies at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. He is the author or editor of three books, an oral historian, a documentary photographer, and filmmaker.

"Thompson's book is a fascinating glimpse into the life of a religious community in America. His work will be of interest to oral historians, who will be pleased that his contextualization of each narrative includes narrative description of the activities, location, and even weather during his interview."--Journal of Folklore Research"This fair and richly researched analysis provides insight into a unique religious minority and their alternative witness against the hidden costs of industrialized agriculture and suburban development in the United States."--Journal of Southern History"Provides excellent and moving insight into the decline of farming in a rural community under development pressure."--Appalachian Journal"Thompson's book is a welcome addition to scholarship on a wide range of topics… Libraries with collections focusing on Virginia, Appalachia, agricultural history, religious history, and oral history will want to purchase this book. Highly recommended."--Choice

• Contents Prologue: Of Soil and Stories Acknowledgments Note on Photographs Introduction: Nonresistance and Change Part I. Saints in the Wilderness 1. The Ancient Order 2. The Carolina Road Part II. Wilderness No More 3. Raising Citizens 4. Community-Based Agriculture 5. Adversity and Perseverance 6. Membership 7. Hope Epilogue: They Go Quietly Notes Index