Nestled in the foothills of the San Francisco Peninsula, just north of Silicon Valley, is the small community of Woodside, which insists on being called a town. Herein are the tales of the indigenous Ohlone culture, Spanish and Mexican periods, logging of the magnificent redwoods, settlement by European and other pioneers, and Woodside's incorporation as a town. There are no traffic lights, sidewalks, or roads named "streets," making Woodside seem anachronistic. Horses have the right-of-way, and the main road through town, a state highway, is closed for the annual May Day Parade. Defining rural may be elusive, yet residents would agree that the narrow roads, open spaces, and plentiful trees contribute to its rural character.

Clear Word and Third Sight examines the strands of a collective African diasporic consciousness represented in the work of a number of Black Caribbean writers. Catherine A. John shows how a shared consciousness, or third sight, is rooted in both pre- and postcolonial cultural practices and disseminated through a rich oral tradition. This consciousness has served diasporic communities by creating an alternate philosophical worldsense linking those of African descent across space and time. Contesting popular discourses about what constitutes culture and maintaining that neglected strains in negritude discourse provide a crucial philosophical perspective on the connections between folk practices, cultural memory, and collective consciousness, John examines the diasporic principles in the work of the negritude writers Leon Damas, Aime Cesaire, and Leopold Senghor. She traces the manifestations and reworkings of their ideas in Afro-Caribbean writing from the eastern and French Caribbean, as well as the Caribbean diaspora in the United States. The authors she discusses include Jamaica Kincaid, Earl Lovelace, Simone Schwarz-Bart, Audre Lorde, Paule Marshall, and Edouard Glissant, amon

Caroline Hadley's 'Woodside. or, Look, Listen, and Learn' is a captivating novel that explores the intricacies of human relationships, societal norms, and personal growth. Written in a lyrical and descriptive style typical of the Victorian era, the book delves into the lives of the characters living in the countryside of England, providing a window into their joys, sorrows, and aspirations. Hadley's attention to detail and subtle exploration of themes such as class distinction and gender roles make this novel a poignant and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in 19th-century literature. The engaging narrative unfolds against the backdrop of lush landscapes, echoing the Romantic literary tradition and adding depth to the characters' experiences. Caroline Hadley's own background as a social critic and observer of human behavior shines through in this work, adding layers of complexity to the characters and their interactions. 'Woodside. or, Look, Listen, and Learn' is a timeless tale that offers valuable insights into the human condition and is a must-read for fans of Victorian literature and period dramas.

William Bryan Woodside (1822-1900) was born in Henry County, Kentucky. He married Mariam Artemissa Thompson (1828-1914) in 1849 in Oldham County, Kentucky. In 1871 they moved to Woodson County, Kansas. Descendants lived in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, California and elsewhere.