Eugene Talmadge’s career as a politician lasted twenty years, and during that time he dominated Georgia’s political structure as few men have in any state’s history. The Wild Man from Sugar Creek is a fascinating biography of one of the South’s most colorful political figures. It is also a revealing analysis of the Georgia mind in the 1930s, reminiscent in its sociological reflections of Cash’s Mind of the South. A product of “Old South” thinking, Talmadge was elected governor of Georgia four times. His significance lay in his total commitment to fighting the liberalization of the southern mind and the quickening demise of the South’s traditional culture. He saw Roosevelt’s New Deal as the culprit, and he fought desperately against the rise of big government. “He was,” says William Anderson, “the champion of the mythical little man, of the have-nots, the dejected, the mentally awash, the orphans of rural life propelled by the depression to the doorsteps of the city, alone, uncertain, afraid.” The Wild Man from Sugar Creek is based in large part on interviews with living contemporaries of Talmadge, so that the book’s central character comes alive in much the same way that Huey Long does in T. Harry Williams’ prize-winning biography of the Louisiana political figure. The first full biography of Talmadge, The Wild Man from Sugar Creek captures the monumental changes in the southern mind during the tumultuous 1930s, and recreates the struggle between a fiercely independent politician and the rush of change in a conservative land. “The poor dirt farmer ain’t got but three friends on this earth: God Almighty, Sears Roebuck and Gene Talmadge.” —Eugene Talmadge

At the turn of the twentieth century, good highways eluded most Americans and nearly all southerners. In their place, a jumble of dirt roads covered the region like a bed of briars. Introduced in 1915, the Dixie Highway changed all that by merging hundreds of short roads into dual interstate routes that looped from Michigan to Miami and back. In connecting the North and the South, the Dixie Highway helped end regional isolation and served as a model for future interstates. In this book, Tammy Ingram offers the first comprehensive study of the nation's earliest attempt to build a highway network, revealing how the modern U.S. transportation system evolved out of the hard-fought political, economic, and cultural contests that surrounded the Dixie's creation. The most visible success of the Progressive Era Good Roads Movement, the Dixie Highway also became its biggest casualty. It sparked a national dialogue about the power of federal and state agencies, the role of local government, and the influence of ordinary citizens. In the South, it caused a backlash against highway bureaucracy that stymied road building for decades. Yet Ingram shows that after the Dixie Highway, the region was never the same.

This biography of Ellis Arnall follows the life and political career of the former governor from his rural Georgia upbringing through his service as state representative, attorney general, and governor to his subsequent political exile. Arnall assumed the governorship of Georgia in 1943, becoming the youngest person in the United States ever elected to that position. In his single term (1943-1947) he initiated a series of remarkable reforms that elevated Georgia above its Tobacco Road image and stood it alongside North Carolina, then the South's most progressive state. Unlike most of his colleagues, Arnall refused to "play it safe" in the state's political arena. Though still a segregationist and a traditionalist in many ways, Arnall had no patience for provincialism and cared deeply about Georgia and how it was viewed by the rest of the nation. Boldly confronting the demagoguery of his predecessor Eugene Talmadge, Arnall, who called himself "a democrat with a small 'd'," united the state's liberal and conservative factions to deliver the promise of the New South to all of Georgia's citizens: biracial voting, government reform, economic development, and an improved standard of living. So sweeping and farsighted were Arnall's accomplishments that, to a great extent, the structure of Georgia's present-day government evolved under his guidance and has changed little since. In 1985, a Georgia Association of Historians survey ranked Arnall's leadership, responsiveness to issues, and national reputation the highest among governors who served from 1943-1983. Successful as it was, his career, begun a decade earlier in the state house of representatives, was cut short. Many Georgians felt that Arnall was too liberal and, worse, that he had catered to the national media, enhancing his own image by discussing the state's problems with outsiders. By Arnall's own estimation, his political career ended when he decided to abide by a 1945 federal court decision that invalidated Georgia's white-voters-only primary elections. Arnall left politics in 1947, returning briefly in 1966 for a spirited, but unsuccessful, primary bid for governor. Written with Ellis Arnall's full cooperation and filled with fascinating details of the final days of Old South politics, this book recounts the political career of one of the region's most accomplished and energetic leaders. The Politics of Change in Georgia is based on the former governor's speeches and public writings, critical and supportive newspapers accounts, and interviews both with Arnall and with other prominent Georgians such as Herman E. Talmadge, S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr., Lester G. Maddox, Carl E. Sanders, Jr., James H. Gray, Sr., Howard H. Callaway, and Ivan Allen, Jr.

Examines the persistence and ultimate collapse of Georgia's plantation-oriented colonial society and the emergence of a modern state with greater urbanization, industrialization, and diversification

This book describes the institutions and process through which the Georgia General Assembly adopts a budget, the executive-legislative branch politics that transpire during the process and the tax and spending policies that the process produces. It argues that the state’s budget is developed by fiscal conservatives within a culture of fiscal conservatism that is conducive to low taxes and low spending. It identifies the patterns and trends of taxing and spending over several decades and during the administrations of nine governors. Its chapter on the line-item veto illustrates the nature of executive-legislative budget relationships in the state. It concludes with an examination of the important milestones in the evolution of Georgia budgeting and a comparison of Georgia with other states on several dimensions. The book offers insights and assessments that will be of interest to budgeting scholars, students of state government, and citizens who want to know more about how government taxing and spending decisions are made.

This set includes books 7-12 in the Sugar Creek Gang Series: The Mystery Cave, Palm Tree Manhunt, One Stormy Day, The Mystery Thief, Teacher Trouble,and Screams in the Night. The tales and travels of the Sugar Creek Gang have passed the test of time, delighting young readers for more than fifty years. Great mysteries with a message, The Sugar Creek Gang series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. Your kids will be thrilled, chilled, and inspired to grow as they follow the legendary escapades of Bill Collins, Dragonfly, and the rest of the gang and see how they struggle with the application of their Christian faith to the adventure of life. In The Mystery Cave, a late night hunting trip for the Sugar Creek Gang leads to a surprise discovery. Later, Old Man Paddler invites them to his cabin for a sassafras tea party. An urgent knock on the door interrupts the party. Soon they find themselves knee-deep in a quicksand rescue. Explore with the gang the effects of sin in one's life and the benefits of following Jesus. In Palm Tree Manhunt, Old Man Paddler sends the Sugar Creek Gang to a beautiful Caribbean island to find his missing twin brother. Circus and Bill find an old man who bears an uncanny resemblance to Old Man Paddler, but then they get separated from the rest of the group. A goat and a lottery ticket become the key to restoring Mr. Paddler. Join the gang as they discover the difference between fate and God's control of the events in our lives. In One Stormy Day, the Sugar Creek Gang's school gets a new teacher- a man. And that spells trouble. When their old teacher shows up to surprise them with a midday sleigh ride, things start looking up for the boys- until Bill Collins throws a snowball that accidentally hits Mr. Black, the new teacher. Learn the importance of self-sacrifice as Little Jim offers to take Bill's punishment, even though he doesn't deserve it. In The Mystery Thief, someone knocks Bill Collins into a snowdrift and steals his suitcase when he goes to spend the night with Poetry. When the boys track the footprints in the snow, they make an amazing discovery. A penmanship test helps to solve the mystery about the mean notes received by Bill and Mr. Black. Find out with the gang how important it is to love and befriend those who hurt us. In Teacher Trouble, the Sugar Creek Gang continues to struggle with their new teacher, Mr. Black. They cause some of the trouble themselves when they build a snowman that looks a lot like him and he stumbles across it. Someone outside the gang tries to frame the Sugar Creek Gang by putting a board over the chimney at school. Learn important lessons about honesty and respect with the Sugar Creek Gang. In Screams in the Night, travel to Pass Lake, Minnesota, with the Sugar Creek Gang. When the gang arrives, they find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Newspaper reports tell of a kidnapped girl who has not been returned even though the ransom was paid. Will they find the girl and help catch the kidnapper? Join the Sugar Creek Gang on their action-packed trip to Minnesota's lake country and learn about becoming fishers of men.

This set includes the entire collection of the Sugar Creek Gang Series, books 1-36. The Sugar Creek Gang series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. These classic stories have been inspiring children to grow in their faith for more than five decades. More than three million copies later, children continue to grow up relating to members of the gang as they struggle with the application of their Christian faith to the adventure of life. Now that these stories have been updated for a new generation, you and your child can join in the Sugar Creek excitement. Paul Hutchens' memories of childhood adventures around the fishing hole, the swimming hole, the island, and the woods that surround Indiana's Sugar Creek inspired these beloved tales.

This set includes books 19-24 in the Sugar Creek Gang Series: The Green Tent Mystery, The Bull Fighter, The Timber Wolf, Western Adventure, The Killer Cat, and The Colorado Kidnapping. The Sugar Creek Gang series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. These classic stories have been inspiring children to grow in their faith for more than five decades. More than three million copies later, children continue to grow up relating to members of the gang as they struggle with the application of their Christian faith to the adventure of life. Now that these stories have been updated for a new generation, you and your child can join in the Sugar Creek excitement. Paul Hutchen's memories of childhood adventures around the fishing hole, the swimming hole, the island, and the woods that surround Indiana's Sugar Creek inspired these beloved tales. In The Green Tent Mystery, the Sugar Creek Gang stumbles across a woman digging a hole in an abandoned cemetery on a dark summer night. Investigate with the gang as they get to the bottom of the mysterious holes that keep appearing in the fields. Discover the important role that Bill Collins' little sister, Charlotte Ann, plays in solving the mystery. In the end, you'll discover with the gang that "all things work together for good to them that love God". In The Bull Fighter, 10,080 minutes fly fast when Bill's cousin, Wally, and his copper-colored dog, Alexander, come for a visit. Alexander manages to tangle with all kinds of wildlife from skunks and snapping turtles to a giant red bull. A late night visit from some mysterious strangers leads to a priceless gift for Wally. Come along with the Sugar Creek Gang and you'll learn that following Jesus is just as important for city boys as it is for country boys. In The Timber Wolf, a winter vacation for the Sugar Creek Gang at the Snow Goose Lodge is full of surprises. Old Man Paddler's nephew, Barry Boyland, introduces his fianc Jeanne, and she ends up in the middle of a blizzard before the story is over. Along the way, the gang goes ice fishing, checks traps, encounters a wolf, and chases a bear. This Sugar Creek Gang adventure will deepen your appreciation for nature as well as for the importance of a relationship with Jesus. In Western Adventure, hanging the imaginary horse thief, Snaterpazooka, in the Sugar Creek Hills leads to a real-life shoot-out. The adventure includes an out-of-control campfire, a horse-killing thunderstorm, and a runaway boat. As Bill Collins faces trouble with Tom Till, he remembers the sermon about ruling your spirit and being slow to anger. Learn with Bill the importance of choosing the proper boss. In The Killer Cat, a savage-tempered wildcat enters Sugar Creek territory and stirs up lots of trouble. Before the adventure ends, the wildcat kills many prized animals. Bill Collins spends part of the time home alone with only God and his Savage .22 rifle to protect him. In the end, an unlikely hero saves Little Jim from certain tragedy. Follow the Sugar Creek Gang as they walk Jesus' narrow trail and try to avoid the "rabbit trails" that tempt them away. In The Colorado Kidnapping, the Sugar Creek Gang heads west for the Aspen Music Festival in the beautiful Colorado Rockies. They enjoy a world class rodeo, and they even get to meet the famous rodeo cowboy, Cranberry Jones. A scenic, chair-lift ride leads to the solution of a missing woman mystery. Witness with the Sugar Creek Gang God's ability to turn tragedy into triumph when people surrender their lives to Him.

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A “educational, interesting, and very easy to read” history of the bond between country music and politics in America (Harry Reid). Long before the United States had presidents from the world of movies and reality TV, we had scores of politicians with connections to country music. In I’d Fight the World, Peter La Chapelle traces the deep bonds between country music and politics, from the nineteenth-century rise of fiddler-politicians to more recent figures like Pappy O’Daniel, Roy Acuff, and Rob Quist. These performers and politicians both rode and resisted cultural waves: some advocated for the poor and dispossessed, and others voiced religious and racial anger, but they all walked the line between exploiting their celebrity and righteously taking on the world. La Chapelle vividly shows how country music campaigners have profoundly influenced the American political landscape. Praise for I’d Fight the World “Thoroughly researched and insightful, I’d Fight the World exposes the political themes embedded in country music of all stripes, as well as the sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant, always shrewd employment of this music by politicians. La Chapelle reveals a political legacy in country music that today’s audiences have an obligation to confront.” —Jocelyn Neal, author of Country Music: A Cultural and Stylistic History “In this well-written and expansive book, La Chapelle narrates a national history of politics and country music, from nineteenth-century populism to post–World War II conservatism. I’d Fight the World demonstrates how both political and cultural history can shine light upon each other, creating a rich tapestry of scholarship.” —David Gilbert, author of The Product of Our Souls “Lively and informative. . . . This book will surprise those who have preconceived notions about country music and Southern politicians, and their longstanding connection.” —Library Journal “A deeply researched examination of the ways that country and old-time music have been coopted into political life. . . . La Chapelle traces the not especially healthy relationship between country music and populism. . . . La Chapelle’s exhaustive examination of his subject uncovers many untold stories and raises interesting questions about whether country music has yet truly reckoned with its political past.” —Times Literary Supplement