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Bob Zellner

Constance Curry

The Wrong Side of Murder Creek: A White Southerner in the Freedom Movement Hardcover – September 1, 2008

by Bob Zellner (Author), Julian Bond (Foreword), Constance Curry (Collaborator)

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Winner of the 2009 Lillian Smith Book Award

Even forty years after the civil rights movement, the transition from son and grandson of Klansmen to field secretary of SNCC seems quite a journey. In the early 1960s, when Bob Zellner’s professors and classmates at a small church school in Alabama thought he was crazy for even wanting to do research on civil rights, it was nothing short of remarkable. Now, in his long-awaited memoir, Zellner tells how one white Alabamian joined ranks with the black students who were sitting-in, marching, fighting, and sometimes dying to challenge the Southern “way of life” he had been raised on but rejected. Decades later, he is still protesting on behalf of social change and equal rights. Fortunately, he took the time, with co-author Constance Curry, to write down his memories and reflections. He was in all the campaigns and was close to all the major figures. He was beaten, arrested, and reviled by some but admired and revered by others. The Wrong Side of Murder Creek, winner of the 2009 Lillian Smith Book Award, is Bob Zellner’s larger-than-life story, and it was worth waiting for.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

NewSouth Books
Publication date

September 1, 2008
Dimensions

6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

1588382222
ISBN-13

978-1588382221
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The journey white Southerners travel in this riveting memoir, from virulent racism to acceptance of blacks' civil rights, is as momentous as any in American history. Zellner moved a shorter distance—son of a progressive, integrationist minister from Alabama, he had his family's support when he joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in 1961. A frontline participant in many civil rights battles, he was jailed, beaten, slashed, shot at by police and taken on a terrifying night ride by Klansmen as they debated whether to lynch him. He's also a canny observer of major figures in the struggle, from SNCC legend Robert Moses to segregationist stalwart George Wallace. Zellner comes off as confident, even cocky—especially in his many arguments with racist antagonists, of which he has an implausible verbatim recall—but the constant menace of howling white mobs, vicious cops and Klan terrorists takes its toll. The result is a testament both to the courage of civil rights activists and to the hatred they overcame; when Zellner survives to see white and black workers come together for a wildcat strike, it seems almost miraculous. Photos. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

[Zellner’s] words ring with an honesty often lacking in some other accounts of the times, and he recreates the culture of the 1960s with candor and humility. His book corrects many false impressions and gives the true story from someone who had a foot in both worlds, who risked his life―and his future―for what he believed in, and believes in still ... This book is an eye-opener for those old enough to remember these events, and a door to understanding for those too young to recall the shaping of the world we live in today. ― Loretta Gillespie, The Decatur Daily

The captivating and profound testimony of a patriot who did everything he could to help make his nation a better place, The Wrong Side of Murder Creek is highly recommended. ― Midwest Book Review

Written with Curry (Silver Rights: The Story of the Carter Family's Brace Decision To Send Their Children to an All-White School and Claim Their Civil Rights), this powerful portrait of a courageous man is highly recommended for all but the smallest libraries. ― Library Journal starred review

If you want a taste of what life on the front lines was like in the Southern civil rights movement, you have to read this book. ― Jo Freeman, Senior Women Web

The journey white Southerners travel in this riveting memoir, from virulent racism to acceptance of blacks’ civil rights, is as momentous as any in American history. ― Publishers Weekly

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ NewSouth Books; 1st edition (September 1, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1588382222
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1588382221
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,013,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,798 in Social Activist Biographies
- #9,249 in Cultural & Regional Biographies (Books)
- #15,395 in United States Biographies

Customer Reviews:
57 ratings

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Joe E. Morris

A must read

Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2020

Verified Purchase

In researching my novel Torched: Summer of 64, which is historical fiction about the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi, I kept coming across the name Bob Zellner. Little did I realize, until I read The Wrong Side of Murder Creek, the extent of his involvement in The Movement. His latest novel, with Constance Curry and a Foreword by Julian Bond is riveting, vivid, inspirational, informative and timely. It is a book for today, a definite must read. Joe Edd Morris

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Michael C

Great book on the Civil Rights Movement

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2014

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This is a really great book on the Civil Rights Movement, and should appeal to a variety of interests. It's a great memoir from a white member of the movement who was widely accepted by people of all skin colors. Thus, if one is a young activist of a majority status looking to be a part of a minority movement, Zellner practically gives a how-to manual. That said, it is also a really unique look at the movement itself. Zellner was obviously about as on the ground as you can get, and worked as a field organizer for SNCC. Thus, as his story vividly shows, he was really in the thick of the action. All in all, the book isn't necessarily the most well written book, but it's fascinating and reads very easily.

If you're very interested in the organizing done for the Civil Rights Movement, I would read this and I've Got the Light to Freedom by Charles Payne.

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James Marshall

Fighting for Right; Overcoming being a white Southerner

Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2009

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Zellner's anecdotal approach to being a white Southerner in the right place at the wrong time amuses on the surface but reveals the seriousness of the efforts he made to challenge and attempt to defeat the brutality of the Deep South. His humor seems to take the edge off what he has to say but in reality makes his message even more powerful.
Thus, his father's Klan robe is sewn into white Sunday shirts for him and his brothers and the family stands behind him in his fight as a civil rights activist in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. His education at a white Methodist college in Alabama almost gets him killed in McComb, Mississippi, but his pluck and perseverance remain his calling card throughout.
This work is a must read as a statement of a white Southerner who remains even today a fighter for the rights of the oppressed black in the Deep South.

4 people found this helpful

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Dean

Incredible Story

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2014

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This is an incredible story about Bob's early life and later involvement in the civil rights struggle. It is quite pleasing and easy to read as it is written like a Bob is having a conversation over the dinner table with you. I highly recommend this book because it highlights not just Bob's story, but the depth of the networks and mentoring involved during the civil rights movement. The book is focused on Bob, but it is a great window to the inner-workings of the movements, the struggles and dedication of so many who often go overlooked. Readers who read this book will have a more well-rounded view of the struggle,rather than the more common perspective centered around high profile "celebrity" heroes like King and Parks.

One person found this helpful

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Harry Davis

Truly incredibly true must read story

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2010

Verified Purchase

I heard Bob Zellner talk about his experiences at the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville, but they ran out of books before I could buy one for him to sign. Once I got it from Amazon I read about those same experiences before reading very many pages so was amazed when the incredibly dangerous events continued for years in the civil rights movement. Amazing that Zellner lived through it. I am such a slow reader that I am usually to late to review the books I get from Amazon, but this one I couldn't put down until I finished it.

One person found this helpful

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Belle

Unchecked arrogance

Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2020

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Simplistic, self-serving mockery of the civil rights movement. A sad picture for all of us who built movements, raised funds, marched together, formed life-long friendships, and loved each other.

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Amazon Customer

The InsideStory told with wit

Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2016

Verified Purchase

I enjoyed several days of travel with Bob Zellner on a civil rights bus trip before reading the book. He is a great story teller who mixes humor with deep insight to bring out the humanity as well as the social/political forces at play in the movement. Not sugarcoat or sanitized.

One person found this helpful

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Dee Waggoner

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2015

Verified Purchase

Sat next to the author on a flight and told him I would order his book!

One person found this helpful

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