From Publishers Weekly
Ferriday, a once wild and woolly railroad stop across the Mississippi River from antebellum Natchez, Miss., claims to have produced more famous people per square mile than any other small town. Its impressive list cites rock singer Jerry Lee Lewis, TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart and C & W singer Mickey Gilley. Other natives include journalist Howard K. Smith, general Claire Lee Chennault and trombonist Peewee Whittaker. Puzzling out this celebrity phenomenon in her often-rambling book, biographer and novelist Dundy ( Elvis and Gladys ) traces the region's colorful history, examining its rich mix of culture and religion and its anything-goes atmosphere. Insightful and entertaining profiles of a delightful place, its celebs and townsfolk.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
The small Louisiana town of Ferriday has produced more than its share of famous people. Singers Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley, evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, newscaster Howard K. Smith, and World War II hero General Claire Chennault are among its notable products. Novelist and biographer Dundy effectively evokes the texture of life there in her portrait of this atypically culturally diverse Southern community. For this reason, her book may appeal to general readers with an interest in her subject. However, the book is weakened by occasionally awkward writing, poor organization, and (most importantly) factual errors that will be evident to readers knowledgeable about Louisiana. The last problem is illustrated by a passage that misidentifies the educational institution employing this reviewer as "Central University" and as the "extension of LSU at Lafayette."-- Thomas H. Ferrell, Univ. of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
