Today’s prompt from Long and Short Reviews is, “Something to know before visiting my country or city”.
Well, for starters, don’t come between May and October because most of the year we endure the Great Sticky Siege. As regards Selma specifically, my ladyfriend probably started giggling because she knows exactly what I’m going to say, because I have an entire rant about it, but I’m going to surprise her and say this: people visit purely for Civil Rights history, which is valid given our role in it, but Selma has a history which is far deeper and richer than 1960s politics. Selma is one of Alabama’s few original river towns to survive into the modern day, along with Montgomery; the rest, like St. Stephens, Claiborne, and Old Cahawba, all died. This owed in part to its geographical advantage: it’s a high bluff on the Alabama river in the middle of Alabama’s richest farming soil, and until the 1920s that meant it commanded agriculture commerce. Everything came to us, and then it went elsewhere. First by rivers, then by rails. Railroads obsessed Selma’s civic and business leaders after the War. The town assumed signal importance during the Civil War, being burned in the last week of the conflict, but rebounded to become so influential that at one time, both of Alabama’s US Senators hailed from here. Then came cars and highways and — well. We missed the interstate bus, and now we’re struggling to find our way in the new world. We have an impressive architectural heritage that could rival Natchez if we received cruise lines like they do. The Alabama river is so dammed up, though, we’ll have to find another way.
WWW Wednesday
WHAT have you finished reading recently? Five Days in November, Kennedy and Nixon, and SHELLI: R-Evolution. The latter releases in a few days but I read an advance copy sent to me by the author. Review for K&N is done but I’m still in ‘edit and ponder’ mode. (Happy City was in edit-and-ponder mode for several years, but I’m fairly sure K&N will be posted tomorrow.)
WHAT are you reading now? Still Angle of Repose. One of my church members said to me Sunday, “Stephen! We need to have a Wallace Stegner chat.” He was disappointed that I hadn’t finished it yet (give me time people, do you realize how many books I want to hoover up?)
WHAT are you reading next? The Rupture, Regina Kay. Dark fantasy release from a friend. I can’t even say “dark fantasy isn’t really my thing” because I’ve literally read three and a half dark fantasy westerns by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle.
Reading Freely 
I enjoyed reading this, Stephen! 😊
You’re just up the road from me on 82… well, nearly 400 miles away. And, we were blessed with the interstate bus, which has definitely added to our growth! My post is here https://jhthomas.blogspot.com/2026/06/wwbc-something-to-know-before-visiting.html if you’d like to stop by!
I’ve spent a lot of time on 82, but never gone that far! XD
I love places with such a rich history behind them. Sounds lovely!
Here is my post.
I have heard a lot about Angle of Repose.
A group at my church is discussing The Space Trilogy by CS Lewis. I read it for that, btu alas, can’t join them at the time they meet.
Last #book I finished: The Comic Book Story of Video Games, by #JonathanHennessey
#Amreading: The Inheritors, by #WilliamGolding
#Amlistening to: Ocean: Earth’s Last Wilderness, by #DavidAttenborough
#TBR Reading next: Red Bird, by #MaryOliver
The space trilogy is “heavy”….probably the easiest one is the one in the middle, set on Venus. Perelandra, if memory serves.
One of my favourite things to do when visiting a new place is to learn more about its history. History is fascinating.
Such fascinating information, Stephen. I love Civil War history as well.
https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2026/06/wednesday-weekly-blogging-challenge.html
It’s wonderful how much you know about your city and how passionate you are about it, rant and all! I hope you enjoy The Rupture, how cool that you’re reading a book by a friend!
I’m the closest thing we have to a local historian these days! I’m constantly in the newspapers.
aha the the unofficial local historian is cool 🙂
Recently someone asked my boss if I was the next Alston Fitts (who wrote two books on the history of Selma) and she said ‘he very well may be’. High praise!
https://www.selmatimesjournal.com/obituaries/alston-fitts-iii-324582