Customer Reviews

The Tragedy and the Triumph of Phenix City, Alabama

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"The Tragedy and Triumph of Phenix City, Alabama" almost tests the limits of credulity. It weren't for the fact that I've heard of some of these events from other sources, I would have been hard-pressed to believe it. As it were, the book reads like a fictional screenplay of a small town in the complete grip of a criminal syndicate. The crooks own the cops, the courts and everything in between. The author, Margaret Anne Barnes, details efforts by local citizens to stop the lawlessness, but things come to a head when the state attorney general-elect is assassinated and a variation of martial law is declared. These events make for fascinating reading, and it makes me wonder why this story isn't better known. However, the book does suffer from some rather florid writing and improbable dialogue used to recreate conversations that were held a long time ago. Barnes' use of language in recapturing these dialogues weakens the book to the point that, at times, it sounds like an old pulp novel where there are only purely good people and purely evil people. Despite this simplistic weakness, however, the book does stand as a good example of local history.

The book is a true story of an American city controlled by racketeers and the efforts of a few courageous citizens in restoring law and order. Anyone unfamiliar with Phenix City's past will be amazed to read about one of the most bizarre crimes in American history - the assasination of a candidate for Alabama Attorney General by State and local officials. As a result, Phenix City became the only American city placed under martial law since Reconstruction. The book should be read by anyone interested in State and local government. Although the events in the book occurred many years ago, the lessons of Phenix City's story are timeless. The reader will learn how public apathy toward crime and corrupt politics can lead to the deprivation of the most basic civil rights. Moreover, the reader will learn of the extreme price that good citizens may have to pay to restore those rights.

Margaret Anne Barnes book- The Tragedy and the Triumph of Phenix City, Alabama was an "eye- opener" for me. I have lived in Phenix City, Alabama, all of my life, and have only heard about the history of Phenix City. I was not alive during this period of time,and none of my relatives were living in Phenix City during this time,so, I am grateful that Margaret Anne Barnes has written a very factual, detailed book on political corruption, gambling, and murder. I would recommend this book to people who are interested in the history of Phenix City, Alabama, who are interested in Criminal Justice, politics, or somebody who wants to read a nonfiction book on the suffrage, and resiliency of a small little town, that I call home.

An intriguing book. A very interesting account of the events surrounding the murder of Alabama Attorney General Albert Patterson. My only real complaint about this book is the lack of a bibliography for the sources of Ms. Barnes' information. This would make the book more credible. Overall, I did enjoy this book.

Growing up in Columbus, GA, I was familiar with the names, places, and events of this period in Phenix City. Most of my relatives live there. But I could not ask for a better account of the details of how truly corrupt the entire local government was than that provided so carefully by Ms. Barnes. Her research was impecable and the heroic Bentleys and Britons are legendary to those of us who read of their suffering in the Columbus Ledger. How the state of Alabama let it go on so long is a shameful chapter in their history. The book captivates you and you will be unable to put it down until the final chapter.

The Phenix City story is still being written. There are secrets that have been kept and families that still have a stake in the shadows being perpetuated. During the late 40s and early 50s, there was a black market baby adoption racket. The children who were sold are today, still seeking their truths of who they really are. It is unfortunate that those still living that have first hand information refuse to help. Phenix City still lives in both fear and shame of it's past. The fear reaches out from the years to choke even those who care to report the events of the time. Same town, same story. I live there.

Since I was born and raised in Phenix City and went to school there, I knew many of the characters in the book. As children, we heard a lot and knew that crime was bad, but we didn't know how bad. Hugh Bently is a true hero. The story is unbelieveable. On my trips to New York, I have had people ask me questions about P.C. There is even more dirt than the book portrays. Many lives were hurt. I would like to meet the author and have my copy autographed.

For those who grew up in Phenix City, this is a very enthralling look at how things were in the 50's when the mob and the gamblers "Lawlessly" ran the town...holding the town at bay in fear of murders, bombings and destruction. It teaches you a lot about the history of the buildings, the many names you have always been familiarized with (lawyers, judges, buisnesses, streets) while uncovering the sins and evilness of the gamblers that once dominated...and the crooked politics that took place during those times. It will provoke you to take a closer look at some of the old buildings and places as you pass them next time; and, you will never see Phenix City the same way again. This book is hard to put down. It is one of those non-fictional books that you will probably read several times, based merely on the intrigue of all the secrets you will uncover and things you will learn about "The Tragedy and Triumph of Phenix City, Alabama."

As many others have said, My mother grew up in Phenix City during this time. I believe that anyone with ties to Phenix City should read this. I grew hearing stories from my uncle and mother, but it finally came together after reading the first hand accounts. My great uncle Floyd Foster is mentioned and my great aunt has made many notes through out the copy I read. My Grandmother worked at the cafe next to where Albert Patterson was shot, although she was not there that night. It is just amazing that the crime and corruption could have really been that awful. This is a must read, even if you are not from the area.

Note : One Note my great aunt posted that was not mentioned in the book was , "I was in Hoyt Shepards house the night he died, He was very paranoid after the clean up and had bars and alarms on all of the doors..."

My Mother was raised in Phenix City. She had moved to Michigan by the time I was born. She told me stories about the horrible crimes that went on in Phenix City, but it wasn't until I read this book that I had a detailed account of how it was possible! She told me about the "bug" for years. The gamlbing, prostitution. Really a hard book to put down. I found the book on amazon.com, and bought it for my Mom for Christmas. She said it's her favorite book of all time. Everyone in the family has bought a copy! This book should be made into a movie!