From the memories of everyday experience, this book vividly recreates life in the city during the 3 decades from WWI through WWII -- a period in which a small, regional capital became a center of industry, education, finance, commerce, & travel. This profusely illustrated volume draws on nearly 200 interviews with Atlanta residents who recall, in their own words, "the way it was"-- from segregated streetcars to college fraternity parties, from moonshine peddling to visiting performances by the Met. Opera, from the growth of neighborhoods to religious revivals; includes Martin Luther King, Sr., Clarence Bacote, & Benjamin Mays.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
This book is an outgrowth of a series of radio broadcasts begun in 1977 on WRFG in Atlanta. The major theme is the complexity of life in a segregated city and how segregation affected the various groups that live with it. The intent was to focus on areas that have been little explored in previous histories. This is not meant to be an in-depth study, but rather to provide an overall impression of the period. It is a very readable history, and any of its chapters could well be expanded to book length. The main shortcoming is that it assumes a level of familiarity with Atlanta and its environs that can only confuse anyone not native to the city. Some maps and more explanation of names would have been helpful. Essential for libraries with collections on Atlanta and Southern racial relations.
- Melvin L. Grotberg, Hobbs P.L., N.M.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- Melvin L. Grotberg, Hobbs P.L., N.M.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"While we learn a good bit about the development of Atlanta over the years within the context of contemporary historiography, the heart and soul of the book is its depiction of the machinations of a segregated society. . . . Living Atlanta deserves respect for telling a difficult story."--Journal of American History
"A valuable guide to Atlanta's complicated personality and its wonderful, terrible past."--Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“The most vivid retrospective of twentieth-century life in Georgia.”--Macon Telegraph and News
"Living Atlanta should serve as a foundation for reevaluating the origins of race relations in the urban New South. It is an important and an innovative work that warrants a wide readership."--Journal of American Ethnic History
"It is a very readable history, and any of its chapters could well be expanded to book length. . . . Essential for libraries with collections on Atlanta and southern racial relations."--Library Journal
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Living History,
By Claire DeLand (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Living Atlanta: An Oral History of the City, 1914-1948 (Hardcover)
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.
6 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Unless you like whining, skip this book.,
By freegratis@aol.com (Florida) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Living Atlanta: An Oral History of the City, 1914-1948 (Atlanta Historical Society) (Paperback)
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
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