Alamance, or, the great and final experiment
by Calvin Henderson Wiley
First published in 1847.
It can be fun to read fiction about history that is, itself, a piece of history. Such is the case with Alamance, or, the great and final experiment. It is a product of the time period in which it was written, 1847, and in it you will find terms used that today are offensive or antiquated. However, the author’s devotion to North Carolina history is apparent. (He did serve as the first state superintendent of “common schools.”) And yes, of course there is a love story. Star-crossed lovers are forbidden from marrying because their families have chosen opposite sides during the Revolutionary War. In the digital version, the chapter one begins on page 15.
Even if you don’t read the text, the preface may give you a chuckle, offend you, or both. It, too, is distinctive from contemporary writing and prefaces. It begins on page 11 of the digital version.
Link: http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p249901coll37,15394
Downloadable versions: http://archive.org/details/alamanceorgreatf00wile
