PREORDER- The Appalachian Storyteller: When the Mountains Were Ours

Brand new book Preorder!

The most powerful book JD Phillips has ever written finally comes to life. 

When the Mountains Were Ours is a powerful collection of 27 true stories that brings the forgotten people of Southern Appalachia back to life. Spanning more than two centuries, these stories introduce readers to hunters, mothers, soldiers, moonshiners, pioneers, preachers, hermits, and everyday mountain people whose lives were shaped by hardship, faith, courage, humor, loss, and survival. Most of their names never made it into mainstream history books, yet their stories are every bit as remarkable as those who did.

Written in JD Phillips’ signature “front porch” storytelling style, this book is designed to make you feel as though you are sitting beside the people in these stories, watching their lives unfold firsthand. The tone may be warm and conversational, but every story is grounded in careful historical research using newspaper archives, genealogy records, historical societies, microfilm collections, family documents, photographs, and other primary sources. At times inspiring, heartbreaking, mysterious, funny, and haunting, When the Mountains Were Ours captures a way of life that has nearly disappeared.

If you love Appalachian history, forgotten true stories, mountain culture, or simply a great story well told, this is a book you will want to keep, share, and return to again and again. Each book is personally autographed by the author. NOTE: This is a preorder: Books will ship in early October 2026.

Book Description

Condition: New

6x9 paperback 200 pages