Local History Books to Read in One Sitting

The Library chose to highlight "Books to Read in One Sitting" for May. Staff and the readers of the Library system's monthly newsletter, The Current, were asked to recommend short books of interest. I interpret "short" to mean books of around 200 pages in length which adults with average reading speed and comprehension skills can accomplish within 3 to 4 hours of their time. Listed below are some of my recommendations for short local history books that you may enjoy: 

• Historic Beaufort County: An Illustrated History by Michael C. Taylor (2005) introduces the key chapters in the long and storied history of the area and includes lots of images in its 128 pages. Reading this book would be an excellent starting point for all new residents to understand the broad outlines of history here.  
• A Guide to Historic Beaufort, South Carolina by Alexia Jones Helsley (2006) focuses on several themed tours of the town of Beaufort through time.  
• The Official Guide to the Historic Houses, Churches and Other Points of Interests of Beaufort, South Carolina, 10th revised edition by the Historic Beaufort Foundation (2014) provides short histories of notable structures in the National Landmark Historic District in 160 pages. 
• Any book by Sheriff J.E. McTeer
• If you're willing to read 236 pages, then I would definitely recommend this book about Sheriff McTeer to you: Coffin Point: The Strange Cases of Ed McTeer, Lowcountry Witchdoctor by Baynard Woods (2010). The author mixes stories and first-hand accounts from McTeer's friends, enemies and family with archival research and critical reading of McTeer's own books to shed fresh light on a bygone era and the relationship of power and belief in Beaufort County from the 1920s into the 1970s. (BTW: Actor Will Smith's Overbrook Partners bought production rights to produce a television show based on the book in 2015 but the project seems stalled.)
• Minnow by James McTeer (2015) draws upon his deep lowcountry roots as grandson of the High Sheriff of the Lowcountry. Pat Conroy wrote of this first novel: "I predict James McTeer's Minnow will become as estimable a part of the Lowcountry as the Hoodoo magic, ghosts and spirits, the haunted Gullah-geechies, Sweetgrass baskets, the Old Sheldon Church Ruins, and the art of Jonathan Greene. A fabulous tale." It too is a bit long for a short book, 227 pages, but trust me, you won't feel the extra 27 pages as a burden. 
• Local raconteur Pierre McGowan wrote two short books, sharing tales about his father, Sam, the Gullah Mailman (2001) and his own life story in Tales of the Barrier Islands of Beaufort County, South Carolina (2006). Just expect some mid-20th century humor - which may not be to every person's current taste.
• Local journalist and author Fran Marscher wrote three short books consisting of short interviews with over 75 local residents of Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island who were Remembering the Way It Was in their hometowns before major development began in Beaufort County in the 1960s. 
• Authors Jenny Hirsch and Sallie Ann Robinson display their love of Daufuskie Island (2018) through an historical narrative from pre-history to gated communities in the 2000s and images contemporary and vintage. 
• The Bluffton Historical Preservation Society did something similar - but with less photographs - in its A Short History of the Early Days of Bluffton South Carolina published in 1983. This one is very short, only 22 pages. You could probably read it while you're drinking your morning coffee.
• The Hidden History of Hilton Head Island by Alice E. Sink (2010) is available in print in our Library system and on the Hoopla streaming service as an e-book. 
• I like Civil War history. If you do as well, then I recommend Lee in the Lowcountry: Defending Charleston & Savannah, 1861 - 1862 by Daniel J. Crooks (2008); The Battle of Port Royal by Mike Coker (2009) and Facing Sherman in South Carolina: March Through the Swamps by Christopher G. Crabb (2010). 
• If your historical taste runs to earlier times, then Captain William Hilton and the Founding of Hilton Head Island by Dwayne W. Pickett (2019) might suit. This book about the 17th century English explorer is available in print in our Library system and on the Hoopla streaming service as an e-book.

Each of the titles I have recommended are held by the Beaufort District Collection and can be found through one or more of the Local History sections at the Branch Libraries. Feel free to reach out to us: 843-255-6468 or bdc@bcgov.net for other local history reading recommendations.