Birmingham Then and Now (Then & Now Thunder Bay) [Hardcover]

Todd Keith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Then & Now Thunder Bay | Publication Date: May 5, 2009

Since its official founding in 1871, Birmingham, Alabama has been known by many names, including “The Magic City” and “Little Birmy,” but today it’s best remembered as the epicenter of the American Civil Rights Movement. Discover Birmingham’s rise as a southern industrial power, its role during the ‘60s, and its rebirth in the 21st century in Birmingham Then and Now. See the city’s most popular sites, including Jemison’s House, Vulcan Park, Red Mountain, and the steps of the Jefferson County Courthouse where the Reverend Martin Luther King called for an end to segregation. Pay a sobering visit to the 16th Street Baptist Church, the site of a bombing that killed four little girls in 1963 and became the turning point in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Though the bomb ripped a hole in the back of the building and destroyed all but one window, the church has been restored and remains an important monument in American history. Meet “Miss Blanche,” proprietor of Madame Bernard’s Brothel—reputed to be the best house in town. Her next-door neighbor, “Old Lady Barfield,” ran a brothel of her own. See these houses of ill repute in all of their then-and-now glory.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A native of Alabama, Todd Keith has been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, producing articles for magazines such as National Geographic Traveler, Coastal Living, Robb Report, and Southern Living. He has also written The Rivers of Alabama, and Cahaba: A Gift for Generations, two books of essays focusing on the rivers of his native state, as well as Old Cahawba, a history of Alabama’s first state capital. He lives in Birmingham Alabama.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Thunder Bay Press (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592239498
• ISBN-13: 978-1592239498
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars See the changes in Birmingham's look, May 27, 2009

By 

Reader in FLA (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birmingham Then and Now (Then & Now Thunder Bay) (Hardcover)

I recently got this book as a present. I grew up in Birmingham and I really enjoyed looking at the city's past and comparing it to the present. However, it shows how much beauty has been lost. The demolition of the Old Jefferson County Courthouse and the Birmingham Railway Terminal are terrible losses to the city's original character.

In general it is a great book and a lot of fun for those who are interested in the city. However, it could be improved some. I wish there were more photos of key places. The interior of the Alabama Theatre or the Railway Terminal is not shown and those would be a great addition. In fact, there needs to be more shots of the Terminal in general. The old picture showing the "Magic City" sign is a classic, but does not give the best representation of the full beauty of the terminal.

These issues aside, it's a good book and I recommend it to other readers.

One error, though, is found in the text on the page on the Rainbow Viaduct. It states that the viaduct is named for the Rainbow Division that fought in World War II. The correction is that the division fought in World War I and the viaduct was named after completion of construction just after the end of that war.

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Book, June 7, 2011

By 

Steve Mullenix (Mount Olive, AL, US) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Birmingham Then and Now (Then & Now Thunder Bay) (Hardcover)

Great Book, brings back a lot of memories .. Takes you on a trip in the past. Great the way it compares then to now .... Love this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for Birmingham natives., May 16, 2011

By 

Katherine S. Twilley (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Birmingham Then and Now (Then & Now Thunder Bay) (Hardcover)

I grew up in Birmingham (many years ago) and this is an excellent and accurate book. It gives my children and grandchildren a look at what Birmingham was long ago. Another plus is the author is a friend of my son.