AltWeeklies Wire
The Lawd Tells Hit Like It Isnew
Although this is Hawkins' first and last novel, it is apparent that he had a keen knack for storytelling that was as honest as his long career as a judge. As a writer, he had a feel for humanity that is reminiscent of John Steinbeck (especially Grapes of Wrath), and a feel for the common-man language of Erskine Caldwell.
Jackson Free Press |
James L. Dickerson |
05-07-2008 |
Fiction
The Nouveau Cajunnew
Poor Man's Provence: Finding Myself in Cajun Louisiana is a collection of stories written in memoir style about Johnson's part-time life in Henderson, La., a small town on the edge of the Atchafalalya Swamp.
Jackson Free Press |
James L. Dickerson |
04-03-2008 |
Nonfiction
Exploring Communism's Dixie Rootsnew
Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore, a North Carolina-born history professor at Yale University, traveled to Russia to research the Communist Party's involvement with the American Civil Rights Movement.
Jackson Free Press |
James L. Dickerson |
02-14-2008 |
Nonfiction
Policing the Magnolia Jackpotnew
The book is very much pro-industry, conspicuously avoiding the negative aspects of gaming, such as increased crime and addiction, and the corrupting influence that casinos can have on state politics through campaign contributions.
Jackson Free Press |
James L. Dickerson |
01-17-2008 |
Nonfiction
Dark Prince Goes Down in Plamesnew
In his memoir, Novak attempts to justify outing Valerie Plame and other moral lapses, but his explanations are self-serving, to say the least, and not very convincing.
Jackson Free Press |
James L. Dickerson |
01-03-2008 |
Nonfiction
Mississippi's CIA Connectionnew
This story of the CIA reads more like a thriller than a history book.
Jackson Free Press |
James L. Dickerson |
11-28-2007 |
Nonfiction
Something to Write Home Aboutnew
Johnny Cash's letters to his first wife, many of them compelling love songs, show a side of the musician that never came out in his songs.
Jackson Free Press |
James L. Dickerson |
11-20-2007 |
Nonfiction
Mystery of the Dog Gone Missingnew
A dog-lover's review of the "mostly true account of Sonny Brewer's dogged search for his beloved pet."
Jackson Free Press |
James L. Dickerson |
10-12-2007 |
Fiction
Lone Wolfnew
Hagberg has a real talent for raising the reader's expectation and then stringing him or her along to a surprising, but almost always logical conclusion.
Jackson Free Press |
James L. Dickerson |
09-21-2007 |
Fiction
'High Cotton': Not For Sissiesnew
There have been hundreds, maybe thousands, of books written about the social, agricultural and economic attributes of cotton, but not until Gerard Helferich came along did anyone think to provide insight into what it is like to actually be a cotton farmer.
Jackson Free Press |
James L. Dickerson |
08-23-2007 |
Nonfiction
All About Kissing Babiesnew
This novel, which falls into the vein of "chick lit," won't evoke much thought, but it will make you smile, and that's reason enough to read it.
Jackson Free Press |
James L. Dickerson |
08-15-2007 |
Fiction