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John W Peace II

Big Stone Gap, VA

John W. Peace II is a Southwest Virginia author, syndicated feature writer, and fifth-generation farmer. A two-time Amazon bestselling author, he writes about Appalachia, rural culture, and working-class communities. https://linktr.ee/JohnWPeace

From Big Stone Gap to Hollywood: The Enduring Legacy of The Trail of the Lonesome Pine

From Big Stone Gap to Hollywood: The Enduring Legacy of The Trail of the Lonesome Pine

Who was the first American author to sell a million copies of a novel? If you stopped folks on the street in New York City and asked, you'd probably hear the usual names. Mark Twain. Ernest Hemingway. F. Scott Fitzgerald. William Faulkner. Maybe even John Steinbeck. Few people

Why Americans Vote… and Why They Don't: The Surprising History of Voter Turnout in America

Why Americans Vote… and Why They Don't: The Surprising History of Voter Turnout in America

Why Americans Vote… and Why They Don't: The Surprising History of Voter Turnout in America

SWVA Economic Forum: “Richer Places Are Becoming Richer and Poorer Places Are Becoming Poorer”

SWVA Economic Forum: “Richer Places Are Becoming Richer and Poorer Places Are Becoming Poorer”

Wise, VA- May 21, 2026 at the David J. Prior Convocation Center on the campus of The University of Virginia's College at Wise, the 2026 Southwest Virginia Economic Forum brought together business leaders, educators, tourism officials, local government leaders and state officials from across the Coalfields and Appalachian

Every Child Needs Someone in Their Corner

Every Child Needs Someone in Their Corner

The Story of Rhoda Blackwell Rhoda Blackwell was not raised thinking about politics. She was raised around people trying to survive life while helping each other through it. She was born in Arlington, Virginia, but her family’s direction changed early. After the death of her aunt, her parents moved

When Anger Found Its Audience in Rural America

When Anger Found Its Audience in Rural America

Recent research from Washington University in St. Louis shows something many of us in rural America have felt for decades now. Anger moves people more than fear. It is anger, not fear, that changes minds, changes their political party and drives politics. Look back to 1980s. Rural America began losing

The Most American Story You’ve Never Heard

The Most American Story You’ve Never Heard

I’m not famous. I’m not rich. I never rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous either. But I grew up with real American heroes. My Papaw had a shoebox full of medals from flying a B-17 over Europe in World War II. Some of his buddies had

Answering the Call!

Answering the Call!

Cindy Green Answers the Call for District 44 Delegate Run When President John F. Kennedy spoke his famous words in 1961 — “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” — he called the country into service. Dr. William Ferguson “Fergie” Reid Sr.