From Azaleas to Zydeco

Inspired by a 1937 map and travelogue of a newspapermans tour, author Mark W. Nichols embarked on his own long journey into the unique cities of the South. En route he met beekeepers, cheese makers, crawfish bawlers, duck callers, and a licensed alligator hunter, as well as entrepreneurs and governors. His keen observations encompass the southern states from Virginia to Arkansas and points south, and he unpacks the unique qualities of every city he visits. Its easy to say that getting to meet so many interesting and wonderful people was the best part of the journey--because its true, Nichols writes. I know there are friendly people everywhere, but southern friendliness is different. His story embraces a wealth of southern charm from local characters, folklore, and customs to food, music, and dancing. Besides being just plain fun to read, Nicholss account of his journey gives readers a true taste of the flavour of the evolving modern South.