A riveting murder mystery involving race and sex in the Old South, "Death of an Overseer" is equally fascinating for what it reveals about the historian's craft. Besides this, it is beautifully written. Historians and the general reader alike will find this book hard to put down.

Four passionate men connected by Fate and too many terrible secrets:

1998 -- Memphis, Tennessee:

Doctor Bernard Phillips believes that he has just performed emergency heart surgery on a man he witnessed executed in the gas chamber over thirty years before.

1964 -- Juneapple, Mississippi:

Sheriff Decatur Fairchild, hoping for a peaceful summer as outside volunteers bent on registering Blacks to vote disrupt the segregated status quo, discovers that there is an evil at work in his county that makes the local Klan look like cub scouts.

1944 -- Auschwitz, Poland:

Concentration camp doctor Conrad Pell finds he has deeply fallen in love with a beautiful Jewish internee and unthinkingly risks his future by seeking help from the most dangerous person in his past.

1940 -- Paris, France:

Thirteen-year-old Robert Anthony, in a desperate race against time to identify the perpetrator of dozens of horrible murders before the Nazis invade France, is determined to discover the truth no matter where the evidence may point.

Two will die, and two will have their lives changed forever.

This is a must own. The photographs are beautiful but what makes this book so powerful is that the people of the Delta are living in the '90's just as they did in the 'teens. For all of the positive changes that have happen since the civil rights movement it obvious that these people have been left behind. The photos will bring tears to your eyes. I would suggest to those people who churches may not be doing that 'Trip to the Holy Land with Pastor so and so' Think about organizing with Habitat for Humanity and doing some building in the Delta.

I read this book a few months ago, and recently picked it up again to reread pages that intrigued me: what I was interested in was Delana Mae's ability to assess her surroundings, contemplate, act, and survive. McCoy writes clearly and with passion. Her language, rhythm, pacing, and characterizations make this novel a brilliant work. I am less concerned about absolute plot (resolution, etc.) because I do see a character change, and I do become, increasingly, even as I re-read, more interested in the fine details of McCoy's portrait of what it takes for the human spirit to endure. If you like art, are not necessarily into commercialism (perfect plot and tying up every thin string), I recommend trying to get your hands on this book. McCoy is funny and wise. Be assurred that under her genius humor there is a beautiful, deep dark line running throughout. McCoy's characters, particularly Delana Mae, are absolutely unforgettable.

Dickerson, who is something of an expert on the area, looks at the Delta's dark underside in this highly readable and admirably researched investigative report.
He labors to weave together rednecks, the Mafia, wealthy Memphis businessmen, politicians, and cops into a coherent web of conspiracy against Civil Rights and war protest, but his results tend to be suggestive rather than conclusive.
He does seem to have read everything ever written on the region, and in the face of such impressive effort it seems almost ungrateful to point out that the Little Rock Central High School crisis took place in 1957, not 1954, and the Vietnam War did not end with the American withdrawal in 1973, but such lapses will serve as useful reminders that sweeping exposes must be received with a degree of caution.

This book is a wonderful experience from the reader's point of view. It goes in depth about life at Parchman Penitentiary from the guards and inmates viewpoint. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in criminology, prisons, and law.

Precise detailed listings, excellent index, should be in every rock-hounders back-pack. However, it's only failing are the rather crude maps. The maps would be more helpful if they included topographic elevation bars. But, all in all, a very delightful reference tome.

This book looks like it's going to be a GREAT asset in my mineral hunting! I like the way it's set up, by state and then by county within the state. It lists the various sites, tells what has been found at each site and (by a code explained in the front of the book) where in each site the minerals were (in a field, in a mine, in the water, etc.). I have to say, there are places here I had absolutely NO IDEA were so close to me, and in one site where I've been prospecting, it lists at least 12 other places nearby that I knew nothing about!

There are directions of varying degrees to each site. That's the one thing I'd quibble about -- some of the directions aren't that precise. But I understand that some of these sites are private lands, or not completely documented, and he can't come out and say, "Go fifty feet past the blue house, down a ravine, and to your left." In general, the directions seem good enough to get you close, and after that it's up to you.

He lists the rocks and minerals found at each site and gives some information about the quality at most places, including size of crystals found, color (and quality of color), and so on.

My only regret? I don't know if I'll have time to visit each site he has listed! So many rocks, so little time........

This book may appear like it would only appeal to southerners, however, its about growing up and how we some things change and others stay the same. The feelings of a woman opening up regarding race are what makes this book. Read it and see if you don't agree.

this is a delightful book for children and adults! a book you will enjoy even if you are not from Mississippi!