The extraction of raw turpentine and tar from the southern longleaf pine -- along with the manufacture of derivative products such as spirits of turpentine and rosin -- constitutes what was once the largest industry in North Carolina and one of the most important in the South: naval stores production. In a pathbreaking study that seamlessly weaves together business, environmental, labor, and social history, Robert B. Outland III offers the first complete account of this sizable though little-understood sector of the southern economy. Outland traces the South's naval stores industry from its colonial origins to the mid-twentieth century, when it was supplanted by the rising chemicals industry. A horror for workers and a scourge to the Southeast's pine forests, the methods and consequences of this expansive enterprise remained virtually unchanged for more than two centuries. An important part of the timber products trade, naval stores were originally used primarily in shipbuilding and maintenance. Over the course of the nineteenth century, these products came to be used in myriad ways -- including in the manufacture of paint thinner, soap, and a widely popular lamp oil -- and demand soared. In response, North Carolina producers enlarged their operations and expanded throughout the Southeast, especially into Georgia and Florida, but the short-term economic development they initiated ultimately contributed to long-term underdevelopment. Outland vividly describes the primitive harvest and production methods that eventually destroyed the very trees the trade relied upon, forcing operators to relocate every few years. He introduces the many different people involved in the industry, from the wealthy owner to the powerless worker, and explores the reliance on forced labor -- slavery before the Civil War and afterwards debt peonage and convict leasing. He demonstrates how the isolated forest environment created harsh working and living conditions, making the life of a turpentine hand and his family exceedingly difficult. With an exacting attention to detail and exhaustive research, Outland offers not only the first definitive history of the naval stores industry but also a fresh interpretation of the socioeconomic development of the piney woods South. Tapping the Pines is an essential volume for anyone interested in the region.

The extraction of raw turpentine and tar from the southern longleaf pine—along with the manufacture of derivative products such as spirits of turpentine and rosin—constitutes what was once the largest industry in North Carolina and one of the most important in the South: naval stores production. In a pathbreaking study that seamlessly weaves together business, environmental, labor, and social history, Robert B. Outland III offers the first complete account of this sizable though little-understood sector of the southern economy. Outland traces the South’s naval stores industry from its colonial origins to the mid-twentieth century, when it was supplanted by the rising chemicals industry. A horror for workers and a scourge to the Southeast’s pine forests, the methods and consequences of this expansive enterprise remained virtually unchanged for more than two centuries. With its exacting attention to detail and exhaustive research, Tapping the Pines is an essential volume for anyone interested in the piney woods South.

Emitting shrill cries and leaving its footprints in mud and snow, it has roamed the Pine Barrons of South Jersey for almost three hundred years. It is usually said to resemble a composite of several different animals, but it walks upright and us believed to be the child of a human mother.What is this mysterious creature? The Jersey Devil, of course! More than twenty years after their first book about the Jersey Devil was published, James McCloy and Ray Miller, Jr.'s, new research into this phenomenon continues to intrigue readers. Does the Jersey Devil actually exist? Or is it simply a hoax? Open Phantom of the Pines--if you dare--and decide for yourself.

“Must-Read” and “Tale for all Ages,” InStyle Magazine “Best Children’s Books of 2021 for Middle Grades,” Red Tricycle “The Purpose-Driven Book for Tweens Hitting All the Right Notes,” PaperCity “The Land of the Pines Connects Youth with Authentic Self,” Houston Style Magazine “Movie-worthy . . . a modern-day take on Charlotte’s Web,” CultureMap Houston Featured on NBC’s Texas Today and ABC’s “Kids Under Construction” "Hoo" is Grey the Kitten? What is her destiny? And why is she riding in a cup, on a DEER? In her debut novel, author Summer Nilsson takes readers on a journey of discovering identity and the gift of empathy. Lush illustrations capture the magic found in the Piney Woods of Nilsson’s East Texas hometown and bring the cast of creatures vividly to life. The Land of the Pines is a thought-provoking fantasy tale of friendship and fortitude, sure to capture imaginations of all ages. Grey the Kitten knows that she’s meant to be more than just a barn cat. As she grows up on Black Mountain Farm with her mentor Miss Jay the Bird, she can’t help but feel that her destiny lies somewhere beyond her beloved farm. But Grey isn’t the only one with ideas about her future. The Black Widow and her guiding Hourglass have big plans for the farm, and Grey could be their key to controlling the whole mountain—and all the animals who reside there. When the Widow traps Grey in a web of promises and threats, will this special kitten give up control over her destiny? Or will she become an example of what’s possible when you have the courage to forge your own path? Filled with unpredictable twists and turns, The Land of the Pines connects tweens to the transformative power of kindness and intention, all while reinforcing our universal connection to one another.

Nine beautifully crafted essays explore the cultural and natural history of the ponderosa pine in the West.