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Atticus Finch
Atticus Finch: The Biography | Joseph Crespino
7 posts | 2 read | 16 to read
Who was the real Atticus Finch? A prize-winning historian reveals the man behind the legend The publication of Go Set a Watchman in 2015 forever changed how we think about Atticus Finch. Once seen as a paragon of decency, he was reduced to a small-town racist. How are we to understand this transformation? In Atticus Finch, historian Joseph Crespino draws on exclusive sources to reveal how Harper Lee's father provided the central inspiration for each of her books. A lawyer and newspaperman, A. C. Lee was a principled opponent of mob rule, yet he was also a racial paternalist. Harper Lee created the Atticus of Watchman out of the ambivalence she felt toward white southerners like him. But when a militant segregationist movement arose that mocked his values, she revised the character in To Kill a Mockingbird to defend her father and to remind the South of its best traditions. A story of family and literature amid the upheavals of the twentieth century, Atticus Finch is essential to understanding Harper Lee, her novels, and her times.
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MelissaSue81
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If you are a fan of To Kill a Mockingbird and/or the history of Racial divisions and civil rights in the US, this is a MUST READ. If you read Go Set A Watchman and were disheartened by how Atticus “changed”, this book attempts to explain it in the context of the time both books were set and written. It was excellent. I learned so much.

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MelissaSue81
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Next up on Audio, I‘m only 40 minutes in, but I am hooked!

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kspenmoll
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Wonderful book; incredibly well researched. Author had access to 2decades of newspaper columns/editorials of her father‘s, and used this to illuminate this model for Atticus. New insights & historical perspectives re both books. Loved it!

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/books/review/tom-santopietro-why-to-kill-a-mo...

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/books/review/atticus-finch-joseph-crespino-ac...

Erinsuereads @WhiskeyMistress check this out 6y
Suet624 I am scrolling backwards and can‘t believe I missed so many of your posts! 6y
kspenmoll @Suet624 I miss posts as well when I am off a day or few! (edited) 6y
67 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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kspenmoll
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#saturdayevening #porchreading #GoSetaWatchman
About Atticus in Watchman: “Atticus rejects violence or intimidation in favor of a strategic paternalism towards the black community, with an eye toward undermining the influence of civil rights groups like the NAACP.”
This book is incredibly detailed & researched. All the ploys, legally & otherwise to prevent the black community of Alabama from voting are eye opening. Porch reading with hubby.📚💕

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful pic 💙💙 6y
AlaMich I love your porch! 6y
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Cathythoughts Gorgeous photo 6y
kspenmoll @AlaMich Thank you! My so special place! 6y
kspenmoll @Tamra Have to check out that book. Atticus was well researched & really helped me understand how/why Watchman was written & why it was not published initially. I will always wonder if Harper Lee wanted it published or was taken advantages of. 6y
71 likes4 stack adds7 comments
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kspenmoll
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#TKAM #AtticusFinch #ACLee
Harper Lee‘s father was given the Biblical name Amasa, derived from Hebrew word meaning “burden bearer.” According to the author, Amasa, like Atticus, carried burdens of family, church, community all his life. I am fascinated by all the detail included about A.C. Lee, a journalist, lawyer& politician,who wrote editorials & opinion pieces about local,national & world news.What wonderful resources to draw from!

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kspenmoll
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#TKAM

Diving right in tonight. So excited!

63 likes2 stack adds
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kspenmoll
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#Libraryhaul #manicmonday
Found some great books today! Crazy work day so returned overdue😱 books & left with too many, as usual. Wonderful way for me to relax & unwind. Happy Monday all!

britt_brooke Yay - The Last Days of Night is really good. Hope you enjoy! 6y
kspenmoll @britt_brooke There is was staring at me in a display a day or two after you recommended it! 6y
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Suet624 Libraries are the best. 💕 6y
RebelReader Happy reading! 😀 6y
kspenmoll @Suet624 I always find something new- thrill of discovery...most probably can‘t finish all... 6y
Suet624 It‘s such a great feeling discovering books on the shelves! It helps me to understand people who like shopping. 6y
78 likes7 comments