Mama Makes Up Her Mind: And Other Dangers of Southern Living

by Bailey White

Book Overview

Recounting life in her small Southern town, the author describes teaching first-graders to read with the help of the Titanic, her cane-wielding mother in a juke joint, and other tales.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201632950
• ISBN13: 9780201632958
• Release Date: April 1993
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 230 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.7" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Book unacceptable

Book was supposed to be “like new” but wasn’t. It was filthy and heavily creased, and looked as if it had gotten damp. Very disappointing.

Sidesplitting

A friend gave me this book to read while I was recovering from abdominal surgery. I laughed so hard I thought I’d literally split my stitches! It’s more intellectual than most books of this genre, which makes the humor almost sneak up and take you by surprise.

Not a very good read

I love southern humor in books. I bought this because of all the great review. I am totally disappointed. Very, very short chapters and honestly, not very much humor. Wouldn't waste my money or time.

Intellectual and Hysterical

Bailey White captures the magic of the eccentric south in this charming collection, where each little chapter is a story in an of itself - but all related. Sassy and playful, like Fanny Flagg's delightful books, but more of an intellectual's look at life, the book passes by the Dukes of Hazzard type mentality, and stands like a beacon on its own. Cooking, livestock and an amazing house are simply the tip of the wonderful things to come - definitely a book to be read not once, but many times. From a road kill menu to a swarm of bicyclists to a bed that morphs into a mirror and "something like a husband" the palette is full and rich with fun and love and the wonderful art of being southern. This would make a wonderful "read out loud" book that would leave the audience in giggles and begging for more!

Charming! Full of subtle humor and loving insights.

Bailey White's matter-of-fact prose sneaks up and surprises you with the outrageousness of her characters and situations.I loved "The One-eared Intellectual" so much that I called a friend of mine, a Master Teacher, to read it to her long distance. We had a great laugh together over the phone. SHE loved it so much that she plans to buy the book and share it in the seminars she conducts for teachers.I'm ordering five more copies to give to members of my family. They'll be crazy about it, too!

Excellent.

This is the first book by Bailey White I have ever read and I intend to find all her other writings, because this is one of the finest books I have read in many years. I am European and I find this writing to provide wonderful insight into Southern states atmosphere. The book is entertaining, delightful, exquisitely humorous. In addition, there is a complete lack of the tiresome agendas so prevalent in current books. I have read the book twice now, and intend to read it again when I need a reminder that life's many facets are all worth relishing and (re)discovering. I have read sections to others who enjoyed it just as much as I have. Let this book entertain and even teach you a thing or two.

The most entertaining book yet!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Bailey White's books and this is my favorite. She is refreshingly honest and hilarious at the same time. I laughed out loud constantly while reading. I live in Bailey White's home town and I can tell you that most of her stories are based on true stories and actual people but greatly improved! A great commentary on life in the South.