Mississippi Books

Scott Williams and Ernest Herndon nailed it with this book. Very well researched and written from two very different styles. Great friends and authors, these two should colaborate more often. Read this book to learn about one of the last unspoiled places in the deep south.

Partial to Home represents the culmination of a ten year period in which the photographer, Mississippi's Birney Imes, records timeless vestiges of Southern, African-American culture throughout Mississippi. These first photographs, many of which were taken during research and photography for Juke Joints, acutely pick out specific instances that are rich in drama and heritage and smack of rural ingenuity and pragmatism as a way of life in the South.

Photographs in the book range from back porch gambling to Sunday baptisms in the river, and combines the photographers knowledge with powerful subjects to make for thoughtful, provoking, and equally joyous imagery, while chronicling and preserving a way of life that resists change but is rich in history and in its sense of familiarity.

Imes has a way of surprising the viewer with his adept visual storytelling, and, even though obviously physically present in the environment of the photography, resides as the instrument by which the often barely visible is fully seen.

I highly recommend this book.

This book has some great, though sometimes slightly repetitive, interviews with Almodovar, and is a special treat for big fans of his movies.

Few institutions have had as much influence on American history as the institution of slavery. For at least three centuries slavery has generated discussion, heated debate, or active denunciation. Perspectives and Irony in American Slavery is an attempt by seven distinguished historians to offer, not consensus, but seven perspectives which range from Eugene D. Genovese's interpretation as seen from a world view to John Blassingame's essays reflecting the slaves' view of their community.

Carl N. Degler's essay develops the idea of irony in American slavery, one of the major themes of this work. Examining slavery in its international setting, Eugene D. Genovese interprets in his essay the relationships between emerging capitalism and slavery and the conflicts between the industrial revolution and the old landed classes. David Brion Davis concentrates on American attitudes toward slavery by viewing the abolitionists' arguments against slavery as being shaped, in part, by the southern defense of slavery: both sides of the conflict, according to Davis, ironically failed to develop along the central force of slavery.

Stanley L. Engerman, co-author of the controversial study, Time on the Cross, emphasizes the importance of market functions as he interprets the southern slave economy. William K. Scarborough's essay of the slave owner, concentrates on the large plantations and offers a perspective which emphasizes the paternalistic nature of slavery. John W. Blassingame examines slavey, not from the planter's house, but from the slave quarters and offers insights into the complex relationships and status symbols within the slave community. Kenneth M. Stampp's essay concludes this volume by presenting his interpretation of the role of historians and their continuing investigation of American Negro slavery.

Perspectives and Irony in American Slavery is an outgrowth of a symposium entitled "The Slave Experience in America: A Bicentennial Perspective," sponsored by the University of Mississippi in October, 1975.
--- from book's dustjacket

This work is a testiment to Chester Himes' brilliant insight and characterstic of the schitzophrenic relationship most extremely talented black artists have had with America. Much praised for his urban crime series, his more politically charged work was often ignored. This book and the truths it reveals about America's ability and inclination to create entire groups of people with nothing to lose speaks volumes about today's society as it did when written by the author. Many who read this will be afraid, as well they should. You will be entertained none-the-less, and hopefully inspired to think. The ending leaves something to be desired, I suspect that is because Mr. Himes was not alive to complete it himself.

"Portrait of America" was a popular video documentary series in the mid-eighties, a product of collaboration between Superstation/Turner Broadcasting Corporation and Ambrose Home Video. Well-researched, each video is divided into 5 segments covering most unique historical, social, and cultural aspects of each state. Watching such an interesting documentary, each being roughly about 50 minutes long, without advertisements and other interruptions seems to be a privilege in these days!

"Portrait of the Mississippi" by Howard Jones is a very interesting and enjoyable book to read. The authors wonderful poetic style of writing makes this book a joy to read as the author shares his travels down the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of some 2552 miles.

The author has included many pictures in this book ( I counted 125 photo's). This book covers history, folklore, commerce, and much more. I found it amazing that this author not only succeeded in his desire to travel the distance of the Mississippi River but then was able to share his experiences by writing this great book for others to enjoy.

I came across this book at a book signing at the Tarpon Springs, Florida Library. The book signing was put on by a writing group that meets at the Library one day a week. I was able to meet the author and purchase this book, which he graciously signed for me.

I consider this book to be a great find and one that I can leave on my coffee table and pick up periodically and enjoy. I recommend this book to anyone that would like to benefit by this great authors travel along the Mississippi River.

One of the best Civil War photographic histories I've seen. Contains hundreds of rare VERY rare Arkansas Civil War era photographs. The photos are explained in detail, not just captions. The quality of the books is excellent with thick glossy paper, clear photos, and well written text

A simply pleasant book of a time past along the Upper Mississippi River system all spelled out in the printed postcard! A "must" for every river buff to have in their collection!

This is one of the best of these collections of the WPA slave narratives for laymen. The ex-slaves form Mississippi offer a lot of folk wisdom regarding "way it was" and Andrew Waters correctly connects their stories to the lyrics of Mississippi's legendary blues artists.

We also get some interesting and important information of the little known uprising of Mississippi Whites to end Reconstruction in the 1870s, as well of some memories of the Black major players of that period. That makes it a historians' delight.

This makes your mouth water for the unedited versions of the Mississippi narratives which are available along with the complete colelction on the WPA Slave Narratives website. Look and learn.