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Inside Alabama is an exceptionally readable history of Alabama written by a native son. The subtitle, A Personal History of My Slate, captures the spirit and the intent of the book. Harvey H. Jackson III was influenced by John Gunther's series of books (Inside Europe [New York, 1936], Inside Asia [New York, 1939], and Inside U.S.A. [New York, 1947]), which were "held together lightly by peculiarities and prejudices shared by folks who lived and loved and had their being in a particular place" (p. x). Like Gunther, Jackson reveals his affection for his subject. Inside Alabama, as Jackson puts it, "is about politics. Mostly" (p. x). In fact, the book is almost certainly a voyage of self discovery for Jackson and probably will be one for most readers of Jackson's generation and political persuasion. He stresses that Inside Alabama is not meant to take the place of the more scholarly study of the state, Alabama: The History of a Deep South Stale (Tuscaloosa, 1994), which Jackson recommends to readers, and it is well that he should take the time to make that point. Readers seeking the details of the state's history will be disappointed by Inside Alabama, but those looking for a broader introduction to Alabama and, perhaps, some explanation for its peculiarities, will find this book rewarding.
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