About the Book
As we move further into the twenty-first century, our ties to our past are beginning to fade with time. However, every so often, we are presented with a touching experience that can rekindle the love of mid-century living that led to the greatness of America. This wonderful new book is an upbeat and refreshing memoir that documents two privileged sisters' lives, growing up in a mid-twentieth century coal community in Southern West Virginia. Encompassing all of life's aspects from family, national politics, and small town mores to the slow path to integration, these delightful stories will walk readers down the path toward how we got to where we are today. Weaving a compelling story of family life, this fantastic memoir documents the humorous and sentimental process of growing up for two sisters from Appalachia. "Luke's Daughters: A Memoir of Northfork, West Virginia" looks at the times, customs, family values, and events involved with coming of age in mid-twentieth century Southern West Virginia. Wonderfully capturing the life and times of two girls growing up in the Million Dollar Coalfields, this amusing memoir injects humor and warmth into the upbringing of these two young women. Providing readers with a clear snapshot of life at home in Northfork, West Virginia, this excellent memoir enlightens us all to the stirring influences that family, friends, education, politics, integration, religion, social values, and small town living can have in our lives. A thoroughly charming experience, this poignant memoir will have readers everywhere reminiscing about childhood right along with Jenna Gianato Calovini and Martha Gianato Rector. Inspired by a desire to preserve a historical footprint, "Luke's Daughters" leaves a clear snapshot of family, the times, and the customs of living and growing up in Southern West Virginia in the 1950s and 1960s. Using a positive look at the West Virginia coalfields during the time, the book thoroughly retells stories from life to contradict the often negative light that paints the people of Appalachia. With its humor, positivity, and warmth, this touching memoir will captivate readers from all walks of life. From baby boomers to preteens, environmental conditions to race relations, and social practices to technology, this excellent memoir meticulously captures the changing times and offers everyone experiences they can relate to. An enlightening and entertaining look at southern life in the mid-twentieth century, this amazing memoir will touch readers everywhere from the very beginning. Sisters Calovini and Rector grew up in the coalfields of Southern West Virginia in the 1950s and 1960s. They enjoy telling firsthand, personal tales about their experiences with family, small town living, music, education, and local customs.
About the Author: Jenna Gianato Calovini and Martha Gianato Rector grew up in the coalfields of Southern West Virginia in the 1950s and 1960s. They enjoy telling firsthand, personal tales about their experiences with family, small town living, music, education, and local customs. Jenna Gianato Calovini is a graduate of Virginia Intermont College and Concord University. Having taught business subjects at Welch High School in WV, East Liverpool High School in Ohio, and York High School in Yorktown, VA, Calovini worked her way up the ladder at FedEx Express and retired as a Sr. HR Manager. During her tenure at FedEx Express, she worked closely with the corporate quality improvement, travelled world-wide promoting the quality program, and was charged with implementing HR technology improvments. She currently resides outside Memphis, TN. Graduating with double majors in English and Spanish from Concord University in 1963, Martha Gianato Rector's teaching career spanned 36 years, both in McDowell County and Raleigh County, West Virginia. Specializing in junior high/middle school education, her teaching involved English, Honors English, Spanish I and II, journalism, and photography. Her extra-curriculum projects included her school's National Junior Honor Society, and the school newspaper. Retired and now living in North Carolina, Rector divides her time between the Carolina mountains and its coast.
