Melungeons are a group of people in the Appalachian Mountains who for centuries sought to evade legal and social sanctions against their racially mixed heritage by telling various tales of their exotic origins. Texas-based investigative reporter Hashaw traces their history, struggles, strategies, and the tales told about them in the context of mixed America since the 17th century. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)