The preservation of Southern folklore has always played an important role in John F. Blair, Publisher's, 50 years of existence. Since Blair has 20 collections of ghost stories and folklore currently in print, it seems appropriate that the Blair staff would assemble an anthology featuring the best story from each of these collections to celebrate Blair's anniversary.

The stories in this book are arranged in the order in which they were published, so the reader can note a general progression in style from the old-time tales of Charles Harry Whedbee to the more modern tellings. You'll also notice that some of the folklorists have a strong regional identity.

Folk tales are intended partly to inform and partly to carry on tradition but mainly to entertain. But they should not be dismissed as lightweight fare. Folklore, as the saying goes, is the true mother of history. Hopefully, this collection will introduce you to some of the South's truest history.