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Rating: 
Summary: Everything is NOT pickrick!
Review: "...If they think they're better than him, they're wrong!" That's how Randy Newman put it in the song "Rednecks". Many of the people who laughed at Maddox *were* no better than him and Maddox, it turned out, was better than quite of few. Maddox became governor of GA, with the support of the Citizens' Councils and the K.K.K. largely on the strength of his confrontation at his restaurant the "Pickrick" with civil rights demonstrators in 1964. By the end of his tenure, Maddox had appointed more african americans, reformed the prison system, and raised teachers salaries. But this isn't a case of a repentant demagogue, like George Wallace, or a wily politician who trimmed his sails, like Strom Thurmond. Lester Maddox *was*, and is, a segregationist. The fact that he would close the "Pickrick" rather than integrate and then make the appointments he did was no contradiction to him. When confronted, he would just shrug and say "I just got the best people for the job." Despite this, Maddox never got substantial black support, like Wallace or Thurmond, but then he never sought it, either. Admirers may bemoan Maddox being remember only for the "pick axe handles incident," where he handed out ax handles to "Pickrick" patrons to back him up in the aforementioned "confrontation." But its hard not to, considering how he used to glory in its memory years afterward. Selling autographed ax handles in his gift shop in underground Atlanta. To this day, Maddox apologizes for nothing. Maddox's racial attitudes are old fashioned, fotunately his commitment to honesty, industry, thrift, and fair play were old fashioned as well. "Good government" for him, was not just code for "white supremacy." On balance he was a good governor. With a little humility and willingness to meet people on terms other than those he dictated, he *could* have been great. The advantage of Short's book is that is the closest we will probably get to an autobiography. By the same token, Short is too close to his subject and his sources are mainly current and retired pols, many former Maddox associates. Short is not exactly, uncritical, but he doesn't probe much either. Maddox is a plain, simple man, seemingly without guile, but the times in which he lived and the phenomenon of his public life, were anything but. Short's book will be an important source for years to come, but it also points to the need of a serious, historical study on the level of Dan T. Carter's book on Wallace. Ralph Ellison, in a defense of LBJ, wrote of the "myth of the flawed white southerner", "one who while true to his southern roots has confronted the injustices of the past and been redeemed." "Such a man, the myth holds, will do the right thing however great the cost, whether he likes Negroes or not, and will move with tragic vulnerability toward the broader ideals of American democracy. The figure evoked by this myth is one who will grapple with complex situations that have evolved through history, and is a man who has so identified with his task that personal considerations have become secondary." Lester Maddox is a man with great flaws, but he is also one of considerable virtues as mentioned above. And if someone like Lester can accomplish so much good...there may be hope for us all!!!
Rating:
Summary: Surprising Biography
Review: I didn't think that I would ever want to read a book about Lester Maddox, but when a friend lent me Everything is Pickrick I could not put it down. It is truly one of the most interesting biographies I've ever read.All I have ever known about Maddox is far from complimentary. Bob Short's book reveals a human side of the man that I never knew existed.
Rating:
Summary: Everything is NOT pickrick!
Review: I give this book a five star rating not for the book, but for the man. This book by Mercer University Press is simply filled with inaccuracies which from what I can ascertain, is no fault of the authors. However, I would still recommend the book as it portrays Lester Maddox for the truely great man that he was and still is.
Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended
Review: I'm not surprised that Bob Short's book, Everything is Pickrick, was chosen as non-fiction book of the year by Georgia Writers, Inc. Short has written a compelling work on the life of Lester Maddox, the controversial former governor who surprised the universe by becoming one of the state's most successful and progressive public officials. Everything is Pickrick is a page turner. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Many Editorial Mistakes by a Maddox Apologist
Review: Literary award winner Bob Short has written the only truly balanced biography of one of this nation's most controversial and misunderstood political leaders of the 20th century, former Governor Lester Maddox of Georgia. No one other than a close family member could even approach a description of the complicated Maddox psyche better than Short. After all, Short was there during the astounding and amusing events highlighted in his award winning book. Get ready to stay up all night when you open this revealing masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: Truth about a Great Man
Review: This book although good to read seems to have many inaccuracies which I have verified with Governor Maddox personlly. Governor Maddox was undoubtedly the greatest Governor and Lt. Governor Georgia has had or possibly ever will have. He spoke TRUTH and JUSTICE at all times. He did more for ALL PEOPLE than any other governor. WE NEED MORE TRUTHFUL POLITICIANS LIKE HIM. He will always be a friend of mine and of THE COMMON MAN. GOD BLESS GOVERNOR LESTER GARFIELD MADDOX.
Rating:
Summary: Changed my mind about Mr.Maddox
Review: This is a grassroots story that tells about the rise of an average Georgian to the states highest office during a turbulent period in Ga.'s history. Bob's insights into Lester's unique approach toward getting elected gives the citizens of this state inspiration that this office can be filled by individuals who are truely commited to public service.I was pleasently surprised by the humorous approach that was intertwined with serious historical content.
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