Living History of the Ozarks, A

The Ozarks region-spanning parts of Missouri,Arkansas, and Oklahoma-overflows with visible fragments of the past. ALiving History of the Ozarks is a guide to the region through landmarksand sites which offer clues to its intriguing history. This splendorous landinspired Phyllis Rossiter, a native of the Ozarks, to write about the area tohelp people learn to appreciate its beauty and to recognize our dependence uponnature. "I feel that it's important to safeguard what we have left,"says Rossiter. "In my writing, if I can help achieve that, then that'swhat I want to do-to help people acquire an appreciation for nature."Abounding with sparkling lakes and rivers (including the great Lake of theOzarks), clear blue springs, rugged mountains, ancient caves, and windsweptprairies, the Ozarks are a visitor's wonderland of natural beauty and legendarymystique. Author Phyllis Rossiter explores the major areas that make up thestoried Ozarks. The Lake of the Ozarks region, the Springfield plateau, Ozarkmountain country, the Buffalo National River, White River Hills, and the BigSpring region are all covered in depth. A detailed appendix lists places toview ongoing history such as caves and rock formations, Indian artifacts,bridges and ferries, gristmills, Civil War monuments, heritage crafts, mountainmusic, hiking trails, floatable rivers, national parks, and more. Offering keeninsight on the area's history, as well as a complete guide to the sites andscenic spots of this popular American vacation destination, this book is amarvelous documentation of "living history" for tourists andinterested area residents alike.Phyllis Rossiter resides in Gainesville, Missouri, where she is an activewriter, photographer, conservationist, and lecturer. She is a member of theMissouri Writers Guild, the Ozarks Writers League, the Society of Children'sBook Writers, and the Outdoor Writers of America.