Alabama Books

Gregory Hansen's study of Richard Seaman is a fascinating book that takes us into the world of a little-known artist. The book's analysis of Seaman's place within Florida history and culture is very intelligent and insightful. What makes the book so enjoyable to read, however, is that Hansen allows his subject to speak. Seaman's tall-tales are entertaining for any reader. Hansen displays a real affection for his subject that is unusual and refreshing for a study from a university press.

Baldwin's Flush Times is a great historical resource. Baldwin paints an interesting tale of frontier Alabama and Mississippi and the characters which lived in the region. Overall, a great illustration of the American frontier and the Jacksonian era.

If you need to find out about fossil vertebrates of Alabama, this is the book you need! And I'm not just saying that because my maiden name is Thurmond and my father is the author! :) He lived in Alabama (which is where I was born)for quite a while and taught Paleontology at Birmingham Southern University. Please read my father's book! It's great for research, too! He won't care about royalties (I'm sure there aren't many...it's not on the best seller list or anything...) but he will care about spreading his vast knowledge to others who are interested in the subject! That is what he loved to do before he recently retired from teaching (after more than 25 years!). Enjoy!

Historical romance set in the early 19th century. Also read "Whetstone Walls," the continuation of this thrilling saga.

It is the adamant contention of this reviewer that Alabama history must be learned through the various articles and books which confine themselves to a specific subject. Since 1947, the Alabama Historical Association, in conjunction with Auburn University, has produced the quarterly publication "The Alabama Review". Each issue of the "Review" features in-depth articles on various persons and incidences in Alabama history. The very guidelines of the editorial board of the "Review" require articles to be accurate and documented in every respect. It is for this reason that most of the foremost writers of Alabama history have been contributors to the "Review". Indeed, many "Review" articles have spawned books of larger scope and "Review" articles can be found among the annotations of most every book which conerns itself with some aspect of Alabama history. This compilation of several "Review" articles is requred reading for every serious student of Alabama history. Here, the reader can delve into articles which explore the rise and fall of the Agrarian and Populist movements of the 1880's-early 1890's, the intra-party struggles manifested in the famous political confrontation between the forces of Gov. Joseph Johnston and U.S. Senator John Tyler Morgan, the 1920's, characterized by the concurrent forces of Klan resurgence and the supremacy of Alabama's first true populist governor, Bibb Graves, the self-inflicted political death of Cotton Tom Heflin, whose all-consuming hatred of Roman Catholicism moved him to disavow support for Al Smith in the 1928 presidential elections. Here, also, are studies of the phenomenon of Big Jim Folsom and the post-World War II brand of populism, which pitted the reformist and flamboyant Folsom against the entrenched forces of the old Black Belt Bourbon aristocracy, followed by J. Mills Thornton's excellent narrative of the 1955-56 Montgomery bus boycott and its legacy. This rather large compilation of "Review" articles includes many other valuable works, including Dr. Wiggins' own perspective on the Scalawag in Reconstruction Alabama politics. Altogether, the articles in this compilation are an excellent resource for both historians and others interested in Alabama history. This reviewer offers his highest recommendation, along with the hope that a subsequent volume of further "Review" articles will be forthcoming.

I highly recommend this book for the serious student of Civil War history. The text is thought provoking and insightful. It is a timely work when viewed from a modern perspective of today's U.S. volunteer military force in the wake of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. In this context, it is easy to recognize parallels between the attitudes and beliefs of the Union volunteers who perceived themselves initially as liberators and later as occupiers. One can also sense similarities in shifts of official policy and in the roll of the press in shaping public opinion. Simply stated, this text is relevant to the events of today. The book presents a penetrating study of the evolution of official Union policy toward civil populations in occupied areas from Lincoln's first inaugural to the decided policy shift in the Shenandoah Valley adopted by John Pope in 1862.

The text is presented in an easy to read well-organized format and follows the intriguing military career of the immigrant, John Turchin, formerly a colonel in the Imperial Russian Army. Turchin comes to life as a colorful character, schooled in the Russian military academies and a veteran of the Czar's occupation of Hungary after the Revolutions of 1848. Later, settling in Chicago, he is drawn early into the conflict as an experienced professional soldier. As a Union officer, he is portrayed as a courageous leader whose dedication to his regiment's welfare demands the loyalty of his men.
In articulating the details of Turchin's career as a Union officer, the authors lead you through a major policy shift in Lincoln's administration. Turchin's trial and the events preceding it are used to explore the changes in emotions and attitudes of the Union toward the southern secessionists. This is a skilled narration, very different from many Civil War histories. It explores the war from an unusual viewpoint, studying a topic that has received little attention by other scholars. The format of the book makes for an enjoyable easy read.

This is tough reading--tough because it is so thoroughly researched and the subject itself (racists and powermongers running loose) is so unpleasant. But it is reading that must be done by those who want to expose the face of racism, intolerance, bigotry, bias, hatred and prejudice. Read about a man who clearly out-bulls Bull Connor himself. This book might be considered the forerunner of author Glenn Feldman's POLITICS, SOCIETY AND THE KLAN IN ALABAMA, published by University Press. The klan book is more accessible to the layperson, but the subject matter is both hypnotic and disturbing. Not for the squeamish! The Klan is still in existence, but when we compare today's KKK to the Klan of the first half of the 20th Century, we can at least be thankful that its fascist tactics are not as freewheeling these days. A scary reminder of how far racism can go when unleashed. --Jim Reed, author, DAD'S TWEED COAT: SMALL WISDOMS, HIDDEN COMFORTS, UNEXPECTED JOYS

This book needs to be back in print! It is the best book I've found on Historic Mobile, once the 3rd largest port in America in the early 1800's. So sad to see the pictures of the many houses that have been destroyed. Fortunately, there are still many left for us to see. If you love Mobile, you must add this to your collection. Great coffee table book.

If you like old family stories, buy it! Buy all of Kathryn Tucker Windham. Each CD has different stories and all are very good. When she comes on AL Public Radio, it is hush - hush time! You listen very carefully to every word. You laugh at her tales of being young and wish you had recorded your own story telling!

from the book cover: Strange thigns were happening in the Alabama farmhouse next to Tucker Highsmith's property. It wasn't just the arrival of an unattached woman and her unruly brood. There were phantom raids in the pantry, mysterious moving objects and spooky things that went bump in the night. Tucker's heart went bump, too, the moment he met Justine Hale. She was all he'd every wanted in a woman. She'd just have to find room in her heart and
her full house for him...