Forever Dixie: A Field Guide to Southern Cemeteries & Their Residents

Not unexpectedly, Douglas Keister has managed to blend his talent for photography and the visual with a solid narrative including biographical information about the 'permanent residents' of the cemeteries he has chosen for inclusion in this book. The end result is a field guide which I think accurately picks up on the charm and flavor of the southern graveyard.While I wish he had included more cemeteries and had covered a larger geographical area, that is probably my only criticism of this book and a minor one at that.Since I spend a lot of time in cemeteries and have been spending a lot of time in the southern US, I can attest that he has managed to convey the charm and uniqueness of the burial grounds of the south. Two of my favorites were included: Bonaventure in Savannah GA and Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond VA. I could go on extensively re: how interesting and historically significant both are as each could easily constitute a full day's visit.While this book is undoubtedly useful as a guide, it is also just a good read even if you chose not to visit even one cemetery listed. I recommend this to anyone interested in cemetery culture, history, or the southern US.

A good, but not perfect, book for Southern Taphophiles. A great deal of it is straight out of the "Field Guide", but using pictures from southern cemeteries instead. Half the book is dedicated to selected cemeteries in the south, and interesting monuments in those cemeteries. I was a little disappointed there wasn't some discussion about particular symbolism predominantly used in the south or things special to this part of the country. I also had wished that maybe there had been a list of other good cemeteries to visit in each state, rather than the one or two (or none) included. But still a very useful book, and has got me interested in seeing cemeteries in other states.

I am very interested in Southern history and also old cemeteries. This was a very interesting book and I went thru it pretty fast. It had a lot of photos and told a little about the people who built the structures and were buried there. I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in historical cemeteries.

I have a blog on Mountain View Cemetery and Doug Keister's other two books, "Going out in Style" and "Stories in Stone" are my bibles. There is an enormous amount of well-researched, useful information packed into these little books. "Forever Dixie" isn't a battle cry for the Confederacy, but a call for us to remember and to preserve the beautiful resting places in America's Deep South. As always, the photography is beautiful. Add this book to his other classics on the topic of cemeteries.

Great book and lots of history and marked pages to visit! Yay

This is an interesting tour through Southern cemeteries. I found where a great many Southern writers and other luminaries are buried. But I would have wished for larger photos.

Another SUPER read! I have SEVERAL Douglas Keister works. As always, page after page is packed full of information. His photography is superior. You'll not be disappointed with this book.

I have really enjoyed reading about the history of, decorations and traditions involved with Southern cemeteries. This is a great book to carry with you when you visit to help interpret the stories behind the tombs!