1 1

North Carolina Moonshine: An Illicit History Spiral-Bound | January 9, 2017

Frank Stephenson Jr. & Barbara Nichols Mulder

$22.49 - Free Shipping

North Carolina holds a special place in the history of moonshine. For more than three centuries, the illicit home-brew was a way of life.


NASCAR emerged from the illegal moonshine tradeas drivers such as Junior Johnson, accustomed to running from the law, moved to the racetrack. A host of colorful characters populated the state's bootlegging arena, like Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, known as the Paul Bunyan of moonshine, and Alvin Sawyer, considered the moonshine king of the Great Dismal Swamp. Some law enforcement played a constant cat-and-mouse game to shut down illegal stills, while some just looked the other way. Authors Frank Stephenson and Barbara Mulder reveal the gritty history of moonshine in the Tar Heel State.

Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Original Binding: Trade Paperback
Pages: 144 pages
ISBN-10: 146711832X
Item Weight: 0.04 lbs
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.3 x 9.0 inches
"Moonshine has shaped the culture and economy of North Carolina for hundreds of years. In the 19th century, sales from moonshine helped fund Civil War efforts, while in the 20th century, moonshine jump started the careers of prominent NASCAR drivers. North Carolina writer Frank Stephenson Jr. considers himself a lifelong student of moonshine. As a youth, he joined his father, a part-time deputy, on moonshine busting raids. As an adult, he set out on a quest to explore the legacy of moonshine throughout the state." All Things Considered WCQS
Barbara Nichols Mulder and Frank Stephenson Jr. are longtime employees of Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. Both grew up in rural Hertford County, North Carolina, when moonshine was big business and moonshine stills could be found anywhere. While growing up, they heard numerous moonshine stories and knew people who were involved in moonshine one way or another. Their personal experience of and deep appreciation for the rural southern life experience was the catalyst for their writing this book. They have collaborated on numerous other books on rural life in North Carolina, including Eastern North Carolina Farming, which was published by Arcadia Publishing in November 2014.