Between Them

Between Them

Author: Richard Ford

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 2017-05-02

Total Pages: 84

ISBN-13: 0062661906

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From American master Richard Ford, a memoir: his first work of nonfiction, a stirring narrative of memory and parental love How is it that we come to consider our parents as people with rich and intense lives that include but also exclude us? Richard Ford’s parents—Edna, a feisty, pretty Catholic-school girl with a difficult past; and Parker, a sweet-natured, soft-spoken traveling salesman—were rural Arkansans born at the turn of the twentieth century. Married in 1928, they lived “alone together” on the road, traveling throughout the South. Eventually they had one child, born late, in 1944. For Ford, the questions of what his parents dreamed of, how they loved each other and loved him become a striking portrait of American life in the mid-century. Between Them is his vivid image of where his life began and where his parents’ lives found their greatest satisfaction. Bringing his celebrated candor, wit, and intelligence to this most intimate and mysterious of landscapes—our parents’ lives—the award-winning storyteller and creator of the iconic Frank Bascombe delivers an unforgettable exploration of memory, intimacy, and love.


The Life and Legacy of “Allen Subdivision”

The Life and Legacy of “Allen Subdivision”

Author: Deloris M. Harpool

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Published: 2022-11-18

Total Pages: 170

ISBN-13: 166557240X

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The Life and Legacy of Allen Subdivision describes an African American community from its inception, where over ninety bustling African American-owned businesses emerged. Beginning in the early 1900s, in spite of segregation, discrimination, disparities in economic opportunities, and other Jim Crow practices, this little-known community in Tallahassee, Florida, thrived and produced African Americans and descendants of remarkable success. Through personal accounts of residents, oral history of neighborhood elders and official historical records, the author illuminates alluring messages about the value of this modest neighborhood in the American landscape. Inspired by 2008 city and county plans for urban redevelopment, including commemorative markers in the south central section of Tallahassee, this work is rare. With the launching of the civic project, it became evident that no deep-dive review of the cherished ‘Allen’ neighborhood had ever been published or made available to policy makers and civic planners. The untold, rich legacy of the once significantly independent community and its effect on its sons and daughters and their descendants required action. Deloris M. Harpool, who grew up in the humble neighborhood, accepted the challenge to document the unique character and consequential effects of her treasured home place. The book is enriched with a fascinating blend of humorous and yet sobering reported experiences reminiscent of life in ‘Allen.’ It presents early developers and environmental conditions, superstitions, myths and traditions that existed as a part of the neighborhood experience. It reveals medical home remedies, home-grown foods, ‘make do’ meals, meatless sandwiches, make-shift toys and games, favorite sweet treats, jokes, nicknames, coping strategies, fun experiences, and other aspects of life common to many individuals raised in African American communities. This rendering emphasizes the significance of the role of neighborhood churches, Black-owned businesses and an informal, yet integral relationship with Florida A&M University. It describes loyalty and loving relations among residents, collective discipline and protection of children, and sage advice of the elders in meeting social and economic challenges. It further describes the community’s little-known involvement in the civil rights movement and the achievement of ‘Allen’ residents. As a bonus, this depiction offers a roadmap for acceptance of ethic experiences and contributions in civic planning. Discover how an iron-clad, close-knit village enabled individual members to achieve lasting success and the lessons we can learn from its legacy and social determinants of success. “The author... takes me down an entertaining and amusing memory lane...She reminds me of how blessed I am to have grown up in a similar community. This work speaks to the important role such a community played in the development of resilient, productive and contributing African American citizens.” —Barbara R. Cotton, D.A., history professor emeritus, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida “In this book, Harpool illustrates that it truly took a village, including once thriving neighborhood businesses, to produce the fine caliber of African American leaders of today. This type of history is lost in many communities. Her work documents a great legacy and preserves history for future generations.” —Dianne Williams-Cox, commissioner, City of Tallahassee, Florida