Living Atlanta: An Oral History Of The City, 1914-1948 ... (ISBN 0820316970)

Unless you like whining, skip this book.:
The premise of this book is so promising, yet it disappoints entirely. After reading this, you get the idea that growing up in Atlanta meant uniform oppression for all, which it certainly did NOT. Can't we have a collection of remembrances that doesn't center on reciting grievances? Skip it, skip it, and go out to the Varsity for a chili dog instead. -Marianna

Living History:
I found this book riveting. I have lived in Atlanta all my life and know a good bit about the history of the city and the struggles it has faced to become the wonderful place it is now. I also worked with one of the book's author's wives during the time it was a "work in progress" and was a tiny part of the hard work he put into the writing of the book. My father-in-law, a nationally-known jazz pianist, is one of the persons who was interviewed for this Oral History about his role in the Atlanta music scene during the time things were changing so rapidly in the city. He was quite instrumental in breaking the "color" barrier in Atlanta during what was a very tumultuous time. I find the focus of the book refreshing. It is not just another "history boook", full of cold and impersonal "facts and figures". You will find information in this book that you may not find anywhere else in an Atlanta "history", and much of this unique information can, if you will let it, give you a completely different feeling for much of Atlanta's history. I highly recommend the book. I am hoping against hope that it is *not* out of print and/or otherwise unavailable. I failed to get a copy when it was fist released, and want one NOW while my father-in-law is still living so I can get it autographed by both him *and* my friend's husband.