Alabama Books

I read this book as part of a book group and loved it. I found it very interesting to see what life was like for so many of our family members in the time. My parents went throught that time and the war and I came away with a greater understanding of everything. I found the book very easy to read and hard to put down.

I so enjoyed reading this book. It brought me closer to my mom and what her generation of women went through in their young adult lives. It mirrored many of her stories as she also married a service man in the same space in life. Though my mom is gone now, it made her feel close to me again as I traveled down her path with someone else telling the stories of romance, fear, uncertainty and depravation. It gives me such a renewed respect for those women and men.

This book is a genuine, certified, brilliant GEM! Tom Brokaw
titled his wonderful and sentimental World War II book "The Greatest Generation". After reading Sharon Bonilla Thompson's
World War II memorial to her mother and father, Opal and Nicky
Bonilla, you will come to the glorious realization of whom these
two excellent authors are referring to. Opal and Nicky met and married, as thousands of WWII couples did, within weeks of meeting.Life for young couples in wartime America and world wide during the early forties was lived in "fast forward" mode. They didn't have the luxury of time to get to know one another over a year or two. Life and death were magnified daily. Death notice
telegrams were received hourly by hundreds of families. Opal
and Nicky express their love and devotion along with the anxiety
and frustrations of the time so eloquently in their love letters
it's impossible to keep from getting a little teary-eyed. This
is a very emotional read yet so eye-opening. It is very well
written and historically researched. It would appeal to readers
of WWII history as well as the readers of fictional love stories
with knights in shining armor. Opal sure was lucky to have such
a wonderful knight of her own to love, honor and cherish.

Whether you are a War veteran or a spouse, child, grandchild of a Veteran from any war in any country...you will relate to the sweet love that Opal & Nicholas Bonilla shared in letters written during WWII. Whether you are a romantic or a historian, a teacher or a student, you will connect with Opal & Nicholas and the Era of War that they endured.
Sandra Bonilla Thompson infuses historical facts subtly so the reader has a new way to understand what happened during WWII and some of the battle times. I loved this book because it has given me a new insight into what my grandparents and parents both experienced as young loves during Wartime (WWII and Vietnam), as well as a better understanding of how war affects generations. The angst and pain, partnered with nobility and honor, that is poignant in Mrs. Thompson's book makes this account one I would highly recommend for people of all ages because it gives you a snapshot of WWII and wartime with the intimacy that most history accounts lack.
I, for one, don't remember many of my history lessons from school days and if I had been able to read a book like Love, Honor, & Cherish, I think I would have been able to make more sense of all the historical events before my time.

This is the best WWII story I've ever read that documents how war affects a family. I have read and seen stories about the sacrifices that soldiers made in WWII, but never really understood the sacrifices that the soldier's family members made until I read this story. Thompson uses letters her mother and father wrote from 1942-1944 to tell a tender and dramatic story. It will hold your attention until the last words in the epilogue.

The book is well researched, as can be seen by the notes, bibliography and carefully placed photographs. I learned more about WWII in this story than I did in high school. The author thoughtfully introduced historical events, like the operation of the Red Ball Express, which motivated me to read more.

Love Honor and Cherish is a treasured family story. I hope you and your children will read it and remember ALL of those who risked everything in the fight for freedom.

Admiral Semmes allows us to truly feel the times and to touch our hearts with Southern pride and honor.

The only bad thing I can say about this book is that on a very few occasions Semmes tends to get into some scholarly explanations about natural phenomena that, while interesting, slow the pace of the reading some.

Otherwise, Semmes tells of his adventures on the high seas with clarity and wit. The book's first few chapters give his legally sound (Semmes was also a lawyer) justifications of the Southern case for secession and his participation in the preparation for equipping a navy from practically nothing.

The Alabama's defeat of the iron-plated USS Hatteras and the final battle with the USS Kearsarge are there in detail in addition to the tale of her very successful commerce raiding upon the civilian commerce of the North.

Contrary to the rabid Northern newspapers of the time, Semmes reveals himself and his officers to be the gentlemanly knights of the high seas in stark contrast to the conniving Federal consuls who, in nearly every port, attempted to foil the Confederate sailors' coaling and supplying of the ship despite international maritime law that allowed it.

Semmes most effectively fought the mercantile world empire of the Union, all the while working within the confines of maritime law. (The few actions of his that were officially disputed were eventually settled in his favour.) This, again, is in contrast to the Federal navy that, under Welles' and Seward's leadership, played the bully and ignored international law when it was inconvenient.

The CSS Alabama (along with a few other CS ships) virtually shut down the US merchant marine -- a blow from which it never fully recovered. His fight with the Kearsarge proved to be the last best use of a ship that was otherwise bound to be blockaded in port by the Federal navy (that proved itself remarkably inept, apparently cowardly, and negligent in its mission to stop Semmes).

I found this book to be a refreshing insight into the exploits of one of the most interesting naval men of his era. Semmes comes across as a man that prizes duty to his beliefs as the soul motivation to his actions. This dispels any of the myth that he was a pirate as often historicaly believed.While many pages are devoted to navigation and tidal patterns,which can be a bit boring to the non-seaman, the book is excellent overall.

In another life Semmes might have been a poet or artist. Circumstances forced him to become the greatest seaman in the 19th century. I have read from an independant source that Kaiser Wilhelm insisted his high ranking officers read this book in preperation for the First World War. The Norths hypocracy is shameful. This book is by far the greatest review written by anyone on either side of the war. Sadly political correctness has kept Semmes greatness buried at this point.

The book begins with an arguement for states rights which history has failed to record as the primary cause of the civil war. He goes into a detailed analysis of his beliefs and he reflects the thinking of his times. His story then goes into detail of his exploits as the greatest privateer in the history of naval warfare. Had he been on the winning side his name would be mentioned in the same breath as Grant and Sherman. Can anyone name one US naval officer that served in the civil war? His story takes the reader from Annapolis to New Orleans to the South Pacific to Gibraltar and to the final demise of the CSS Alabama off the coast of France. His tale explains his actions and defends them with an indepth look at maritime law. He explains the laws involved with a detail and style that makes it easy for anyone to understand. His story should not be allowed to fade into past. It is something from a terrible time that should be looked at by naval officers today. He is a man to be honored, not cast away as a pirate

Does "Scottsboro: A Tragedy of the American South" need any more 5-star reviews to convince readers that it may just be the best historical account of an American tragedy ever written? More than seventy years have passed since nine blacks were wrongfully accused of raping two white women on board an Alabama freight train and the event still rings in the ears as if it happened yesterday. Professor Dan T. Carter has remained the preeminent expert on the Scottsboro case for more than thirty years and his extensive research is evident in this book. Never dry or dull, Professor Carter guides the reader through a harrowing story that must be read to be believed. If you're not familiar with the Scottsboro case and its important role in American and more essentially pre-Civil Rights history, this should be the first book on your list. I also recommend James Goodman's superbly written "Stories of Scottsboro" and Quentin Reynolds' "Courtroom," the biography of Scottsboro defense attorney Samuel S. Leibowitz.

Too often books come and go, getting barely a mention, then fading into obscurity. Others, such as University of South Carolina Professor Dan Carter's 'Scottsboro', make reading both a blessing and a curse. To elaborate, this is not the sort of book one can read and not bite your tongue at the profound tragedy that marked the Scottboro trials and their legacies. You will shake your head in disbelief, want to argue, and, ultimately feel your blood pressure rise on more than a few occasions.

Carter's prose is excellent, well reasoned, masterful. His sources are tremendous, though one needs to consult his dissertation (UNC-Chapel Hill) for the complete listing. In the revised edition an interesting conclusion to the final proceedings is included, lacking none of the dramatics and eccentricities of the original trials decades before.

'Scottsboro' cannot be recommended highly enough. This is history written the way it was should be.

It is hard to imagine that such an terrible injustice could have occured in a country that prides itself on "justice for all." Dan Carter does a meticulous job in presenting us with one of the most engaging and informative books on the Scottsboro case I have ever read. As a pre-law and African-American history student I was thoroughly impressed and I recommend it to anyone regardless of their interests.

I love reading history books, especially when they read like a novel. Carter has produced a detailed account of this nearly forgotten episode in American History and he has done it with so much energy that one can not help but be swept up in his telling of the story. He traces the episode from its hobo origins. A freight train that carried two women and several black young men was stopped. The women, when taken from the train accused all the black men of rape and from here the stories of these rail riders takes off. Working with facinating material, the segregation of the deep South, the idea of a woman's honor, the Communist and NAACP rivalry over the case, the Jewish NYer who comes to represent the boys, the racist judges and the status quo governor and the one judge who martyrs his carreer to stand up for what he believes is right,Carter shows that the tale of Scottsboro is stranger than fiction. Not only is the story itself excellent, but Carter also brings the story up to date. For anyone interested in this time period, this is a must read!

Dan Carter has done a superb job in this study of the miscarriage of justice that took place in the Alabama of the 1930's. His picture is so complete and enlightening and he has attacked all the issues from all sides. If you want to get a very different picture of the atrocities capable in the U.S. of the 20th Century, read this book. I could say so much more.....

This is one of the best books I have read on Black life growing up in the 1950's and 1960's. It was a time of hard work and discipline for our parents as well as us. We had to learn to do without and work with what you had and be grateful for that, not like the kids of today. We all need to read this book, if not for the memories, for the kids to know what others had to go through to get where they are today and that hard work pays off. We were taught to respect each other and other people's property. It brought back many, many memories as I am an African-American as well. The way the author writes it's like you're right in the room with the family or involved in whatever situation was going on. I was brought up in the city, but my father was from down south, Texas, and he raised us the same way. It is a book for all ages, especially youngsters to see how it was back then, a real story of African-American History as well as being entertaining. A Must Read.

Survival The Will and The Way is a great book. I enjoyed it very much. I am a very picky reader and I need a book that will keep my attention. This book did just that. Every time I tried to put it down, I found myself picking it right back up to read some more. Reading about this family makes me realize how wonderful life is. Although they seemed to have it rough, they seemingly endured because of their love and togetherness. I felt for the family. The father was a bit too cruel for my taste, but it appears, however, that because of the way that the children were raised, they were better and more well behaved than many of today's children. - There was so much going on near the end, and it was so sad, I can hardly wait for the next book so that I can see what happened to everyone. (I hope that there is another one) Don't leave me hanging!

Like the author, I too was born in Alabama. Although I did not live with the conditions such as the ones that she describes in her book, I have had the opportunity to visit places like the one where she and her family lived. As I read Survival The Will and The Way, it took me home again. I could almost see the clothes hanging all around on wash day. I actually squirmed when the snake was fished from the water. For the most part, I felt as though I was there during each adventure. This book is very well written.

I believe that Survival: The Will And The Way is a novel that will be enjoyed by everone who has the pleasure of reading it. It is fresh as well as refreshing. As the events unfolds, one can visually/virtually experience each event. The cover first "caught my eye." And as I thumbed through the pages, I was hooked. The writer brings to life a time when the world was a better place. "The good old days!" Although those days might just about be gone, this book will hopefully help to bring back some of those olden days when life was simplier and Young.

Miss Young, Thank you for sharing your story. Your presentation was delightful, and the memories are enlightening and enriching. I too long for a form of discipline. I believe that if each and every child could have lived as you described, there would be less hatred and more togetherness. Sometimes folks have it so good that they forget just how good they really have it. Survival The Will and The Way describes the basic essentials needed in life: Love, respect, togetherness, a belief in religion, and a way of survival. Oh, how I wish that we all could have experienced growing up in a place like "Perote." Your Dad reminds me of my Grandfather. He was guick to pull his gun or knife. I especially enjoyed reading about "Uncle John and Doll", and how she could so easily set him off. Our family memories are precious ones. You were wise to document them. I was fortunate to be able to read them. The cover is attractive and sentimental. The size is perfect. And I like the size of the type. We have a hard back in paper weight size - perfect! You and your family have strong constitutions. I will pass this book on to my daughter. You have enspired me to attempt to document the life of my Grandmother in her honor,and for our memories. Thank you for the push! I know that your son and grandson are constantly reminded of the essentials. God bless!

During my battle with breast cancer, this became the most important book in my struggle with my diagnosis and treatment. It was sitting quietly on a bookshelf at the chemo infusion room. What a beautiful, beautiful, uplifting, empowering book! It was hard to find during that time, but I am pleased to see that Amazon has it available now. Highly recommended to anyone who has been touched by breast cancer, personally or thru someone you love. The photographer captures the spirit of the women perfectly, and their stories are well written. It touched the depths of my soul.

This is the best book I have ever read. It is not only beautiful but also wonderfully written. I suggest this book for anyone battling cancer.

I know many of the women in this book. They are, or were, indeed warrior women. I have reassessed my opinion of the tenacity of the human spirit after knowing them. Springer catches the essence of these women in her inimitable way.

This book is one of the most beautiful and inspiring books that I have read. The photography is spectacular!!! If you know someone who has just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, give this book to them. It will give them hope for the future and help them realize that they are not alone.

Incredible photographs and prosen are contained in this book. A moving, sensitive chronicle of cancer survivorship that changed my perceptions forever. I recommend it unreservedly. I can't wait until Springer's next book!

If you are at all interested in modern Alabama history, this is an excellent book. The author has left-leaning slant on events but that's probably needed to offset the predominant right wing culture down here. Well worth the read.

Professor Emeritus of History at Auburn University, Flynt's eleventh book marks the pinnacle of a career studying Alabama and Southern history. Having spent most of his adult life in the state, Flynt is "a native son who has lived, loved, taught, debated, and grieved within the state for 60 of the 100 years described."

The author is frank and forthcoming with his criticisms of the state, starting appropriately with the tragedy of the 1901 Constitution, a document written by Bourbon Democrats to extend their power and influence while disenfranchising most poor whites and nearly all blacks. The author believes that the injustice of this parchment continues to cast a pall on the state, and he provides plenty of examples of a culture stunted and a people denied to convince the reader of this fact.

Flynt examines the body politic with his chapter "Every Man for Himself: Politics, Alabama Style." The author takes the state's anemic tax levels to task, also making the case that the burden falls heaviest on those who can least afford it. Like fellow academic Harvey Jackson, he is critical of a state that accepts low taxes, even though the result is a state government that can provide little for its people.

The professor writes chapters dedicated to education, as well as to women and African-Americans. Particularly in the latter case, Flynt eloquently describes a group that, in light of its smaller numbers, has made a contribution disproportional to the state's success. Sadly, it is a people that have all too often received the least benefit from it.

But lest critics suggest that Flynt is a man who doesn't love his native state, the author also gives credit where it is due, whether it is the innovation of engineers in Hunstville contributing to the nation's space program or its many famous educators, athletes and entertainers. Dozens of pages are dedicated to figures such education pioneer Julia Tutwiler, baseball slugger Hank Aaron, singer Nat King Cole and U.S. Supreme Court justice Hugo Black, who all once called Alabama home. For all of the challenges they faced, it is clear that Alabama has produced many accomplished and gifted individuals.

At over 600 pages this is not a book for the casual reader, but it is highly recommended for those who want to delve deeper into the recent history of the nation's 22nd state.

Dr Flynt gives us a comprehensive view of the multitude of problems that face the state of Alabama, most of which stem, according to Flynt, from the state's atrocious 1901 Constitution. From powerful land barons, to racial inequality, to a regressive tax structure, to an incompetent and largely ineffective state legislature, to a simpering, craven state Supreme Court, the state Constitution lies at the root of nearly all of the ills that hamper Alabama's efforts toward modernization. Readers of this fine book will be left in wonderment, as if witnessing a dog that speaks poorly, not that the state functions well, but that it functions at all.

I had Dr. Flynt as one of my history professors at Auburn. Knowing his knowledge first hand, I appreciate the book so much more.

This is a very fine overview of Alabama in the 20th century. Organized by topic rather than chronologically, it begins with the state's famously terrible 1901 constitution and touches on such diverse issues as education, women, sports, and religion. Flynt is readable throughout, never falling into an excessively academic tone.

Indeed, I do wish that he would sometimes be a bit more academic. Despite its heft, this book is just an overview. If you want the smaller details you'll have to get them elsewhere; fortunately, the book has good bibliography. Unfortunately, the index is not entirely thorough.

Ultimately, though, this book is a wonderful introduction to Alabama history in the 20th century. I recommend it highly.

I have only made a few things from this book, but I have many more flagged and waiting in the wings. These recipes are easy to make and are not complicated. Right up my alley!! So far everything I've made has been gobbled up by the family and they are already requesting that I make them again. This book was recommended to me by a coworker who made a cake recipe and brought it to work. I highly recommend this book!!

I absolutely love this cookbook. Most of the cookbooks I have bought in the past you would have to go to the grocery store to purchase the things listed in order to make the recipe. This cookbook uses common stuff most of which you have in your pantry. And the recipes are not from some famous celebrity chef or other highly trained chefs they are from regular people like me who don't want to spend all day running to find the ingredients and then come home and spend the rest of the night in the kitchen cooking them. Simple, easy to understand recipes that the whole family will enjoy.

I finally got the best cookbook ever. My grandmother uses it. My mother uses. My sister-in-law got it as a wedding gift from my mother. I finally had to order it. I used it for everything on my 1st Thanksgiving to cook and I got rave reviews from all the above.

THIS IS THE ONLY COOK BOOK I NEED. IT IS GREAT AND I HAVE BEEN USING IT ''OR ONE IDENTICAL'"TILL THEY WEAR OUT'' FOR 20 YEARS......

I received this book as a wedding gift 24 years ago. My copy has been so "well loved" that it is falling apart. I have given this book as a gift to many others ranging from beginners to gourmets. There is something wonderful here for everyone from the most basic recipes to wonderful specialties. Buy it! You'll be glad you did!

Through her poetry, Sara opens up and reveals some of her innermost dark secrets. In doing so, she starts her road to recovery from her illness. Her descriptive words cause you feel her pain. As you read through her book of poems, you can feel the air getting lighter as Sara learns how to deal with her condition. Anyone suffering with depression or any other mental illness, as well as their family members would benefit from reading this book.

Sara shares her personal emotional journey from the depths of depression and pain and back into the light again through her powerful and candid words. Her use of humor in the midst of hurt is especially creative and true to the human condition. This book lays it all out on the table and leaves us the better for it.

ÿPhenomenal insight on insurmountable human sorrow & suffering of an individual. No one should be subject to this kind of pain. This is absolutely well written poetry, from the heart.

Sara depicts real life events in expression of poetry. People can realate and find comfort in her expressions of trials, tribulations and courage to make it through.

Sara Parfait has walked through the valley of the shadow of death ... and written about it. In this slim volume of simple, straight-forward poems, Sara tells about a father's harshness, a mother's love, the birth of a child, adoption, mental illness, grief, and redemption. I recommend these frank poems to those who are on a journey of self-exploration, particularly those who have loved ones who are mentally ill - Sara's reflections on her internal struggles provide a fresh perspective.

This is the most beautiful text book I have ever seen! With this book I am learning to "key out" fish for identification. A whole new world is opening before my eyes!

This is a very informative book. I would have preferred more pictures and less artists renditions, but one can't be too picky.

This may very well be the best fish guide we've seen yet. The organization and utility of "Fishes of Alabama" has clearly been influenced by the best previous titles which use a similar format (such as "Fishes of Arkansas"). For each species, national range maps are given in addition to Alabama dot localities overlaid on a state watershed map.

Perhaps the most important aspect of this title is the illustration. Some artistically uninclined individuals will prefer photographs, an opinion to which they're entitled, even though photographs are, for most vertebrate groups, inferior to accomplished artwork in both a functional and appreciable sense. Truly landmark wildlife compendiums tend to use quality artwork over photos - that's an historically-substantiated fact. "Fishes of Alabama" is no exception here. Each species account is headed by a beautiful, small specimen painting that showcases important identification features. Each account's painting is duplicated in large plate format in the book's center. The artwork, for those with enough culture to appreciate such achievement and an eye for depiction of important detail , is worth twice the purchase price on its own.

Throw in the consideration that the biological information on each species will help not only sportfishers, baitfishers and ichthyologists active in Alabama, but also in additional states inhabited by the species covered, plus a better-than-average foreward, and you've got yourself a must-have title. "Fishes of Alabama" is likely one of those books for which the timeless esteem and utility that it beckons will cause the price it commands to increase substantially once it's out-of-print.

This book is a great reference for any ichthyologists or anyone who loves fishes and art. It contains a lot of information and citations for each species.

This is an excellent reference book. Joe Tomelleri is a remarkable artist with a talent I have never seen before. His illustrations are so close to looking at the fish in a stream. He is a master at capturing life. The information in this book is very complete and concise. A great buy for the money and just a beautiful book to look at even if you are not extremely interested in fish.

This book is a must read! Especially, for anyone who is interested in the history and the many ghosts that linger after their death. Wonderfully written and very enjoyable to read.

Sensational! This is one book you do not want to miss! It intertwines history and ghosts with a perfect balance. I could not put it down!

This book is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in ghosts, legends, and southern lore. Brilliantly written, it is one of the most interesting books I've read in recent years.

Debra Johnston does an excellent job, of putting stories long told, with history. This book will ignite the interest of both Children and adults.

I know people that live near or in the Sholes area, and they are very excited about Deb's books. They believe she is bring new life and interest to the area.
Joyce Sons

Debra Johnston's books of true ghost stories are fine collections taken from the folklore of the Southeastern United States. The tales range in mood from humorous to very frightening and are related through easy flowing narratives.

Gregory Freeze