Like the renowned classics Praying for Sheetrock and North Toward Home ; Ever Is a Long Time captures the spirit and feel of a small Southern town divided by racism and violence in the midst of the Civil Rights era. Part personal journey; part social and political history; this extraordinary book reveals the burden of Southern history and how that burden is carried even today in the hearts and minds of those who lived through the worst of it.Author Ralph Eubanks; whose father was a black county agent and whose mother was a schoolteacher; grew up on an eighty-acre farm on the outskirts of Mount Olive; Mississippi; a town of great pastoral beauty but also a place where the racial dividing lines were clear and where violence was always lingering in the background. Ever Is a Long Time tells his story against the backdrop of an era when churches were burned; Medgar Evers and Martin Luther King were murdered; schools were integrated forcibly; and the state of Mississippi created an agency to spy on its citizens in an effort to maintain white supremacy. Through Eubanks's evocative prose; we see and feel a side of Mississippi that has seldom been seen before. He reveals the complexities of the racial dividing lines at the time and the price many paid for what we now take for granted. With colorful stories that bring that time to life as well as interviews with those who were involved in the spying activities of the State Sovereignty Commission; Ever Is a Long Time is a poignant picture of one man coming to terms with his southern legacy.
#4479742 in Books 1975-04Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 #File Name: 0718300041240 pages
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Pretty goodBy Hans JosephsonThe book follows history during the Napoleonic Wars very well. How true the story is about Sir Sidney Smith is very difficult to tell. I get the impression that he was much bettet educated for his work in the Meditarenan area Than most of the other English representatives in that area3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A "must read" if you are a student of the Napoleonic WarsBy Christina R. PaigeBEWARE OF HEROES is an excellent book detailing the life of a little-known British hero of the Napoleonic Wars. Sir Sidney Smith's exploits place him literally in the same league with Horatio Nelson but; because of political intrigue; he never got the credit he deserved.Peter Shankland admirably attempts to correct this situation. His description of Smith's daring escape from a French prison and Smith's defense of the city of Acre are worth the price of the book. Equally as good is his outline of strategy and tactics behind Napoleon's campaign in the eastern Mediterranean.But; the real value of the book is in clearing Smith's name. It details how the British politicians; after making several boneheaded decisions; did what politicians always do--they blamed someone else. Smith; who tried to salvage the mess created by the politicians; was the unjust target and his name was forever sullied.If the book has any weakness it is in covering a critical ten-year period in Smith's life in only two paragraphs. Among other things; it was during this period that Smith became "Sir" Sidney Smith by saving the life of the King of Sweden in battle. His Swedish knighthood was later confirmed by King George III. This event occupied one sentence; yet it's importance (including the jealous ire it raised in his fellow officers) is only touched on. In defense of the author; the book IS subtitled "Admiral Sir Sidney Smith's War against Napoleon." Still; I think this event; and several others during that period were too important to be glossed over.For this reason; and this reason only; I give the book Four Stars instead of five. Nevertheless; if you are a student of the Napoleonic Wars your knowledge will be incomplete unless you understand the contributions of Sir Sidney Smith. This book is an excellent place to start.P.S. I noticed that the used price is $80 - $100+. I have no idea why this should be. I bought it; as I recall; for $30 on . So; look around before you buy.
