The Atlanta Lawyer August/September 2019 | Page 29

B O OKS TO READ Hidden gems every lawyer should take the time to read 4 Triptych by Karin Slaughter Many subscribe to the myth of the dyslexic GBI agent. Slaughter makes him come alive in this thriller set in Atlanta. Triptych is the first of the Will Trent series of novels set in Atlanta. All of them capture the spirit of the city accurately, though not adulatorily. 8 A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe A monumental novel (over 700 pages) that took Atlanta by storm when first published, it motivated local readers to claim to be the model for specific characters. The quest for notoriety fascinates because ultimately the book does not favorably portray the city. 5 1 Babylon Sisters by Pearl Cleage One of a series of novels set in Atlanta’s West End, the book captures the neighborhood in an engrossing story that eventually consumes the entire city. Cleage may be the best writer working in Atlanta right now. 2 The Evidence of Things Not Seen by James Baldwin Baldwin took on the child murders that plagued the city from 1979 to 1981. He concluded that the case against Wayne Williams was fatally flawed, a significant argument now that the 30 year old case is being re-opened. 3 Rage in the Gate City: The Story of the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot The “story” of the riot is composed of the circumstances that led up to it. Misunderstandings, hatred, deceit, and every other unfortunate human trait ran rampant in Atlanta at the beginning of the last century. The book details the bad (and the good) in a fascinating narrative. Wit and Wisdom of Georgia Law edited by John L. Respess, Jr. Read this self-published collection of excerpts from court opinions – actually they are reminiscences – if you can afford it. Amazon will sell you a used hardcover copy for $796. It can be found in local law libraries, however. 9 Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island by Will Harlan Thank Carol Ruckdeschel for keeping Cumberland Island from development as Hilton Head Island. Will Harlan, followed her relentless fight against “improvement” of the island. Harlan traces the history of the island from its first development as a playground for the Carnegies to the second attack by developers, leading to its preservation as a National Seashore. 6 Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, an American Town by Warren St. John The history (so far) of the Fugees, the soccer team in Clarkston composed of refugees from countries beset by war. Their perseverance, intelligence, determination, and success makes a truly American tale. 7 March (Trilogy) by John Lewis, Andrew Ayden, and Nate Powell Who better to write the autobiography of the Civil Rights Movement than John Lewis? Written in the form of a graphic novel, March visually recounts the struggle as witnessed by the youngest leader in the movement. 10 The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation by Hank Klibonoff. Before Klibonoff became a Peabody winning podcaster he had been deputy managing editor of the Atlanta Journal. He teamed up with Gene Roberts to document the role that the press played in the Civil Rights Movement. It won the Pulitzer Prize. MICHAEL JABLONSKI Law Office of Michael Jablonski [email protected] Not only do lawyers have to keep up with changes in the law, but they must develop an understanding of the cultures with which they work. A major component of persuasion, if not advocacy in general, includes the realization that not everyone thinks in the same way, or acts consistently, or possesses the same view of history. We set about to list books that we feel are essential reading for anyone practicing law in Atlanta. The list is by no means exhaustive. We welcome suggestions of additional titles that should be included in future lists. The order in which a book appears in the list does not necessarily indicate a preference. www.atlantabar.org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 29