Back Home: Journeys Through Mobile by Roy Hoffman

 

There were some seriously good parts of the book, and there were some boring parts, However, this one played a family research role. My paternal grandmother was born in Mobile, Alabama, but my little sister and I never got the chance to ask her for her story of who our ancestors were. I'm still trying to find out who our great grandparents were.

Those are my problems, but the reader should learn plenty about Mobile, and the area from Roy Hoffman's book. I did, and would recommend it to anyone considering moving, or vacationing, there. I spent one night there in a motel directly opposite the USS Alabama in 1982, but didn't think I had the time to explore the area. I regret that now, and Back Home pounded the poor insight of that decision home.

Hoffman wrote very good travel content, but unfortunately, I had personal objectives here. Never mind me. If you're looking to know the area, and a lot of its history, people, and culture you should start here. Back Home gives a strong overview of Mobile.

I got the impression that Hoffman is essentially a short story writer, and that's fine. He did a good job when that perspective is recognized. I did not read it straight through. It's not a quick read but enjoyed with frequent breaks. I was there long enough to envision some of the environment. That helped and gave me something of a vacation in my mind.