Video Guide to Forest Folk

Episode One: “In the Woods”

In this first episode of the Forest Folk Video Guide, John Hood explains the significance of trees and forests as plot devices and representations of the major themes of his second novel, which is set during the early 1800s and depicts the War of 1812, the abolition movement, and the Trail of Tears.

Episode Two: “Monster Mash-Up”

In this second episode of Forest Folk Video Guide, shot in the “Leech Place” of North Carolina’s Valley River, John Hood discusses the European, African, and Native American folklore from which he import the legendary creatures that populate the story. One of them is the Giant Leech of Cherokee lore.

Episode Three: “By Any Other Name”

This third episode was shot in the reconstructed Council House of the New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun, Georgia. The Cherokee legislature established its capital at New Echota in 1825. It was the site of many key events leading up to the Trail of Tears. It’s also a key setting in Forest Folk.

Episode Four: “Ship of State”

In this episode of the Forest Folk Video Guide, author John Hood steers viewers into the nautical elements of his new novel. Forest Folk depicts some of the US Navy’s most-famous heroes — plus Ichabod Crane. The video was shot at Fort Norfolk, built for coastal defense just before the War of 1812.

Episode Five: “Natural History”

In this episode of the Forest Folk Video Guide, shot at Virginia’s Natural Bridge, author John Hood explores landmarks that serve as key settings for the novel, including Niagara Falls and North Carolina’s spooky Devil’s Tramping Ground. Plus, Sam Houston meets Davy Crockett for the first time.

Episode Six: “Railroad Tie-In”

This episode was shot in front of the Underground Railroad Tree, a 300-year-old tulip poplar that symbolizes the network of Quaker abolitionists operating near Greensboro, NC during the early 1800s. Forest Folk depicts some of those heroes as well as the origin story of another, Sojourner Truth.

Episode Seven: “Flights of Fancy”

In this episode, John Hood talks about the flying creatures that play critical roles in the Folklore Cycle, including Sylphs, winged horses from ancient mythology, and the mysterious flyers spotted in the early 1800s above North Carolina’s Chimney Rock (which is where the episode was filmed).

Episode Eight: “The New Frontier”

John Hood journeyed to Mercier Orchard in Blue Ridge, GA to talk about the semi-legendary folk heroes who play major roles in Forest Folk — including Davy Crockett, Mike Fink, Junaluska, and Johnny Appleseed. The latter’s marathon run during the War of 1812 anchors an entire chapter.

Episode Nine: “Bend of the River”

In this episode, shot along Alabama’s Coosa River, John Hood talks about the pivotal battles that America and its allies fought during the War of 1812 against Tecumseh‘s Indian Confederacy in the Midwest and the Red Stick Creeks in the Southeast. Both campaigns are featured in Forest Folk.