Book - Arkansas Backstories Vol.1

A must have coffee table book for anyone into Arkansas History! Outlines the quirks, characters and curiosities of the Natural State with short essays and accompanying photos and illustrations.

Arkansas Backstories - Volume 1:

Arkansas is a complex place—part Old South, part Old West, and part traditional hill country—that has shared an amazing array of people and products with the world. Even so, much of what makes Arkansas so special remains largely unrecognized.



Arkansas Backstories highlights the lesser-known aspects of America’s twenty-fifth state. The short essays in this handsomely illustrated book will offer surprises for even the most dedicated and devoted students of the state. How many readers, for instance, realize that the first sitting member of Congress to be assassinated was shot to death in Monroe County? Or that the CIA had secret contracts with an Arkansas organization to train animals for clandestine activities? Or that there’s good evidence that Abraham Lincoln lived for a time in northeast Arkansas, chopping wood for a plantation owner?



Few readers may be aware of the connections between Arkansas and the Texas fight for independence. Or that baseball’s spring training routine originally began in Hot Springs. Or that Arkansas is the country’s leading producer of goldfish. Or that the state’s capital city was once known as Arkopolis.



-By Joe David Rice, former Arkansas tourism director

-Book is signed by Author!

-Be sure to check out Volume 2 of Arkansas Backstories!