Dr. Jack Justin Turner died in December, but the first of three of his unpublished works is now being released, a nonfiction look at Maytown High School’s glory days in basketball.
A new book about Floyd County basketball is certain to be a popular addition to local bookshelves.
A native of Langley, who played basketball for Maytown High School, Dr. Jack Justin Turner was himself a remarkably gifted player, who still is tied for the eighth most rebounds ever in a Kentucky high school game. He knew and loved Floyd County and its sports teams, and “Maytown Magic and Mayhem: Fifty Years of Mountain Basketball” is his final tribute to Maytown’s players, the opposing teams and their players, and the coaches – all of whom made Kentucky Mountain basketball different from anywhere on earth.
Dr. Turner passed away in December. He was the author of three published novels, “The Foxes and the Hounds: Big Medicine River Days,” “The Sheriffs’ Murder Cases,” and “The Sheriff of Frozen’s Murder Cases,” as well as two more, “The Foxes and the Hounds: Bluegrass Days” and “The Sheriff of Hell’s Murder Cases,” soon to be published. Dr. Turner graduated from Berea College, earned his Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky and was Professor Emeritus of International Relations at Middle Tennessee State University.
One reviewer said of the book, “Perhaps the most thorough and entertaining book ever written about a small school and its players, its opponents, as well as the coaches, referees and fans that made mountain basketball different from anywhere else on earth.”
Maytown Magic and Mayhem will be available for sale at the Maytown Reunion, May 25 and 26 at the school, and also at Readmore Book Store and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg, Kenny’s Florist in Martin, Joseph Beth in Lexington, and other selected locations. The book can also be ordered from Chestnut Hill Publishing, Box 22565, Lexington, KY 40502 for $19.95, plus tax and postage. A discount is available if purchased at the Maytown Reunion.
Post a Comment
