About the Author

Frances Taliaferro Thomas was an original member and chair of the Athens Historic Preservation Commission. Her articles on historic preservation have appeared in such publications as "Veranda," "Southern Accents," and "Athens Magazine." She lives with her husband, Emory Thomas, in Athens. Mary Levin Koch, an art historian, research consultant, and former resident of Athens, lives in Lexington, Massachusetts. She is a trustee of the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park. She has published articles in several journals, including "Georgia Historical Quarterly," "Atlanta History," and "Georgia Museum of Art Bulletin."

Reviews

A handsome guide to the history of Athens and Clarke County which takes a delightful turn from what many have come to expect of local pictorial histories. It is at once two valuable resources: a smooth-flowing narrative description of a community's development, and a pictorial documentation of that same community's physical legacies.--Steve Gurr "Georgia Historical Quarterly"

Enjoyable as a coffee-table book, but more informative . . . Insiders, outsiders, newcomers, and longstanding community members will no doubt enjoy A Portrait of Historic Athens and Clarke County.--Livia Wade "Athens Observer"

It is as encompassing a general history of Athens and Clarke County as there is likely to be written for some time.--Tom Hudson "Athens Magazine"

Like a Greek revival mansion, this well-written book stands as a stately, lovely reminder of the value of landmarks to our quality of life and collective identity.--Thomas A. Scott "Atlanta History"

Substantially researched and abundantly illustrated with historic photographs, prints, and drawings, this book is lively reading.--Kenneth Severens "Journal of Southern History"

Well researched without being pedantic . . . Readable without lapsing into the chummy chattiness of many local histories . . . The care that has gone into the research, writing, and illustration of the book elevates it considerably above most similar volumes.--John Seawright "Flagpole"

This 'portrait' of a city and county is well-drawn. . . . The writing itself is solid, entertaining, and clear: the prose style is perfectly adapted to this straightforward history of a town that grows into a city.--Georgia Journal