Rating: 
Summary: Stunning.
Review: "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.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning.
Review: "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.
Rating:
Summary: READS LIKE A DETECTIVE NOVEL
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: READS LIKE A DETECTIVE NOVEL
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book on the history of Phenix City.
Review: 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..."
Rating:
Summary: Definitely A Book To Be Read By All Who Love History & Facts
Review: 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."
Rating:
Summary: I could not put this book down. An excellent history of PC.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: I live across the river, in Columbus, GA, from Phenix City. I have always thought of Phenix City as some dorky little town with 3 people. I was completely shocked when I read this book. It is a rela page turner and it left me in disbelief. Buy this book and read it, especially you live in the Bi-City area.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: I live across the river, in Columbus, GA, from Phenix City. I have always thought of Phenix City as some dorky little town with 3 people. I was completely shocked when I read this book. It is a rela page turner and it left me in disbelief. Buy this book and read it, especially you live in the Bi-City area.
Rating:
Summary: A very informative, "eye- opener" book
Review: 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.
|
