Contrary to popular myth, the '60s weren't just about peace, love, rock 'n' roll, weed and protests. They were also years of celebrating do-it-yourself, back-to-the-land simplicity... including self-published books (what goes around comes around).
Two of the most popular books of the era became the seeds of entire movements. Stewart Brand's Whole Earth Catalog (1968) was the Google of its day (even Steve Jobs says so), and its many branches continue today (now on the Web, of course). Brand was from Stanford and in the midst of northern California ferment, so his success makes some sense. The Foxfire Book (1972), however, grew from a small boarding school magazine started in 1966 by students in the Appalachians of northeast Georgia. If anything, it was the anti-Google, consisting initially only of interviews with frequently illiterate (but wonderfully raconteurial) native mountain folks.
Twelve editions of the Foxfire books were published by Random House through 2004, covering all manner of local folklore and customs, from corn shucking to wicker weaving. In 2006, highlights were collected in the 40th anniversary edition subtitled "Faith, Family, and the Land." Now we have the 45th anniversary edition ("Singin', Praisin', Raisin' "), with more interviews, photos, music and tributes. As Michael Pollan and others emphasize the benefits of being locavores, these greatest hits from the back-to-the-land '60s may be just in time. –-Bruce Jacobs, founding partner, Watermark Books & Cafe, Wichita, Kans.