The Tragedy and the Triumph of Phenix City Alabama

by Margaret Anne Barnes

Book Overview

In the first chronological and gripping narrative of the events that crippled Phenix City, Alabama, Margaret Anne Barnes tells the true story of how economic hard times in the Depression led a mayor... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 088146418X
• ISBN13: 9780881464184
• Release Date: December 2012
• Publisher: Mercer University Press
• Length: 386 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A very informative, "eye- opener" book

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.

True story of one of the most bizarre crimes in U.S. 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.

Excellent book about how crime can totally corrupt a city.

Margaret Barnes thoroughly researches her books and is an excellent writer. I am from South Carolina; I am seeing how video poker can corrupt the local government. It bought our most recent gubernatorial election with the promise of windfalls for education. Readers of Triumph and Tragedy may be able to predict what will happen to our state in the long run if the gambling syndicate is allowed to take over our state. As if we didn't have enough problems! If you haven't read it yet, don't delay. It could happen to your town! SOON TO BE RE-RELEASED: BARNES' A Buzzard is My Best Friend, a hilariously funny story based on the author's (mis)adventures on a Virginia farm. Lighthearted story sure to keep you laughing.

I could not put this book down. An excellent history of PC.

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.

An excellent story, especially for Phenix City natives.

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.