In Up Cutshin and Down Greasy. brothers Dave and Jim Couch, born about the turn of the century, recall clearly their childhood days on Sang Branch of Greasy and Clover Fork of Big Leatherwood. Dave, a professional moonshiner and bootlegger in his younger days, tells colorfully of his brushes with the law. Jim engaged alternately in lumbering and coal mining, with a little moonshining on the side. His accounts of mine accidents, in particular the one that cost him his leg, give insight into the minds of those who risk their lives underground for the sake of high pay.

Up Cutshin and Down Greasy concludes with a selection of tales and songs from the large repertory of the Couch family, First published in 1959, the book is available once again in paperback to "pleasure" a new generation of readers.