Thanks for stopping by and checking out "Southern Shade." Please feel free to leave your thoughts- good or bad! Simply click the word "comments." Scroll to bottom of page to post your review. We'd love to know your name & town, state or country.
UPDATE: November 6, 2012.
I think I need to say here that I invite anyone who reads my book to post their opinions. I will NOT delete negative reviews (as long as they aren't vulgar, of course). I simply have not had any, and, as crazy as it sounds, I would welcome a few. I'm afraid some people, who otherwise might buy the book, could doubt my credibility, since nothing pleases everyone! :)
One other thing, though this is not a Christian book, per se, there are elements of Christianity within, i.e. saying grace before meals, prayers at bedtime, an Easter Sunday trip, and a few other little things. Though there is no sermonizing, if those incidentals bother you, perhaps you should look elsewhere for your reading enjoyment.
57 Comments
Barbara Faulder
6/1/2009 07:48:33 am
Hi Mr. Burton,
Marie Woods
6/10/2009 03:33:00 pm
I want to thank Ben F Burton for giving me this opportunity to be one of the first to read his first novel. I have to say it was very very good! And I am privileged to have done so. I loved the story line and the characters. Some of them reminded me so much of a few of my loved ones.
Kimberly Kime
6/12/2009 04:12:46 am
I was given the wonderful opportunity to read Southern Shade and was very impressed.
Ayn Yates
6/16/2009 02:50:50 pm
I am so very proud I fought many interruptions to escape into the five month slice of life with the Beechworth family, truly the thrilling days of yesteryear! 7/2/2009 12:19:49 am
MR BURTON, YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED THE "JUICE" THAT DRIVES THE SOUTHERN WEHS SPIRIT. NOW THE WORLD KNOWS WHY WE DANCE. BEST OF LUCK AND GIVE MOM A KISS FOR ME.....SEE YA IN BHAM.
Mary Nell Aldridge Rector
7/25/2009 02:07:24 am
Ben, I don't recall wishing that any other book would just never end, but I wanted Southern Shade to do just that - like the long-running, weekly TV episodes we watched as kids. Who said "you can't go home" -- your book abosuletly took me there - to people and places so familiar and a wonderful time in my life. Congratulations and continued success to you and all the best to your family.
Louise Cox Avery
7/27/2009 11:59:16 pm
Mr. Burton:
Linda Cox Berdeaux
7/28/2009 12:27:44 am
Your book really took me back to West End; felt very nostalgic, sad and happy; helped me revisit some of my own memories. Beautifully written.
BUTCHBOP
7/31/2009 12:41:23 am
JUST FINISHED THE BOOK FOR THE SECOND TIME AND LIKE GOOD MEMORIES AND WINE IT JUST GETS BETTER. SOMEONE ONCE SAID,"TO PUT LIFE ON PAPER MAKES IT MORE REAL", IT DID IT FOR ME BEN, WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Sue Sizemore
8/9/2009 02:50:59 pm
Ben,
Jody Smith
8/18/2009 10:44:49 pm
Ben,
Nancy Grogan
8/20/2009 09:39:00 am
Mr. Burton
Margaret Kesler
8/21/2009 01:02:46 am
Dear Ben: 8/21/2009 02:14:12 am
This book is not Tolstoy's War and Peace. It is light hearted, just what I needed for relaxation to counterbalance my too-serious world of technical work.
Sandra Cook
8/27/2009 07:00:30 am
I just finished your book and it was delightful! My brother, sister and I attended Elyton and West End and those were indeed the good ol' days. What fun it was to wander around all over the neighborhood, walk to the Alabama for cartoons or the MM Club, and be "safe." Enjoyed getting to know your family and hope to hear more about them in the future!
Kay Forrester Barnes
8/29/2009 12:39:52 pm
Cyndee Brode
9/9/2009 11:00:00 pm
Thank you for the total and complete enjoyment of the time it took to read the book. As I am with most books I truly enjoy, I didn’t want it to end. I finished Pat Conroy’s, “South of Broad” about Charleston last weekend and this was even better than that. All of the experiences were so close to my own that I felt as if I were reading about my own large family. This book is certainly due a sequel. Everyone should read about that magical time of innocence and fun. You have totally captured the feel of that time in our lives.
Carol Aldridge
9/30/2009 10:59:36 pm
Mr. Burton, loved your book!!! It was just like going home. I grew up in Powderly in the fifties so the experiences were very real. I was married to Dale for 38 years and was told many stories about roaming West End!!! What a great period to grow up in. Hope you have a second book in the making.
Mike Sapp
11/5/2009 06:58:18 am
Ben,What a great time reading about old Westend.I traveled back in time remembering my childhood in good ole Westend.I hope you do a sequel .May God bless you in all your endevours.
Sharon Tarolli
11/7/2009 08:15:14 am
Dear Mr. Burton,
Shelby Bishop
11/19/2009 08:37:08 am
Hi Ben, I am not a reader but once I started reading your book I started to laugh and cry at the same time. All the memories we had came back to life. Too bad things are not still the same. That time was so wonderful and we did not know it. I hope you write another book full of the good times we shared. Thanks and love,
Les Tippen
12/2/2009 10:55:59 pm
BEN,
Lyman Peterson
4/6/2010 01:46:24 am
Mr. Burton,
Nancy C. Orange
5/2/2010 09:44:14 am
Ben,
June Tippen Kohls
6/28/2010 05:09:21 am
Ben,
joan davis slater
7/14/2010 09:32:19 am
how funny,sad, and real this book was, loved every minute and so much looked like what entries a diary of my own would look like, including the throwing of rocks across village creek with the black kids...we had a honor system like you of just one at a time...and who did not go to Panama City if you were from BHham....hope there is a sequel
Skip Rockett
7/19/2010 12:26:22 pm
Ben
Jim McCord
8/23/2010 10:01:39 pm
'Southern Shade' takes us back to a time when things were so much simpler and gives an insight to the family dynamic,which in many cases is missing today.For those of us who grew up in the fifties this book is all too real.Mr. Burton skillfully relates that era through a child's eyes and in the process allows us to relive our personal childhood.Thanks for sharing your talent and story with us Ben. Best, Jim McCord Homewood,Al.
Vicki Williamson Juliano
8/24/2010 11:12:43 am
Ben,
Agee Family
9/4/2010 01:13:35 am
My family was introduced to this amazing book when our neighbor Ben(Mr. Burton) gave us a copy to read several months back. My father who is not much of a reader absolutely loved it. But the real joy came from my mother and I. Mom was raised in Ensley back in the 1950's, and almost every page in the book brought back a flood of memories from her childhood. Growing up, being a history buff myself, and loving the rich history of our city from the 30's to the 50's loved the rich detail Ben had in his book. It was also a special treat for me, only being 26 years old, being able to connect in a way with that special time my mother grew up in. Ben's book added technicolor to her childhood memories I had heard about growing up.
Sandra Cork Huey
9/5/2010 02:53:26 am
SOUTHERN SHADE is going to be one of the best gifts I can give to friends and family members. After going through each chapter, slowly reading and absorbing each memory triggered by Ben Burton's warm descriptions of days gone by, I finished the book with gratitude for his bringing the past back to me. Each person who reads SOUTHERN SHADE will receive a warm feeling. Written with wholesomeness and good virtues of people in the 50s it's a welcome change from the modern 'morals' of today. Thank you Ben Burton for reliving the 'good ole days'.
Mary Louise Ross Harris
10/17/2010 10:16:09 am
Ben,
Bill Livingston
2/20/2011 07:30:15 am
Great read Ben! Every page brought back a memory of a place or person that I had not thought of in years.My sisters knew your sisters and I will certainly share your book with them. My roaming grounds stretched, from Elyton School to the High School- a small insignificant part of the world- except for those of us who grew up there. I hope all of your West End friends buy your book, they will not be disappointed. Slugger
Vicki Jinks McGowen
3/2/2011 09:18:42 pm
Ben, 5/24/2011 11:01:48 pm
Can I down load this on my Ipad? I am connected to Barnes and Noble
Betty Elliott Bridgmon
6/24/2011 02:18:22 am
Ben,
David Orr
7/14/2011 09:41:16 pm
Ben 8/3/2011 11:40:50 am
Southern Shade is a great book. Ben Burton is a talented author with the gift of bringing the past back to life. So many times while reading the book I would say, "I remember that"! The walk down memory lane rekindled a lot of my memories of growing up in a loving family. I realized while reading the book what a great place the south is to raise a family. It was even better during the Southern Shade era of the 50's. I can't wait to share the book as gifts to my family. Thanks Ben for sharing and taking the time and energy to put all of the stories in a book. It will be a good movie one day!
Joyce Cruce Mosley
8/12/2011 06:04:20 am
Hi Ben, Wanted you to know that I received my book. I have truley enjoyed reading about the fifties in West End. I graduated in 1955 and still remember Dr. Hobbs drug store and the wonderful orange aid they made with fresh oranges. I lived near his drug store and my grandmother lived near the high school so I was all over West End. It is great having this record because things have changed so much in recent years. Everytime that I return to Alabama and Birmingham it seems as though more memories have gone the way of questionable progress. Thanks for preserving memories for us. 11/17/2011 01:15:30 am
Southern Shade is a "must read" for those people who grew up in the 50's in the western section of Birmingham. It was like going back in time and reliving some of those days as I read the pages that mentioned places and things I had long forgotten. Thanks for the memories.
Debbie Massey
4/27/2012 06:39:20 am
Simply put, a book that will touch on every emotion, as you are reminded of a time that was full of love for each other, where family stuck together and helped each other at every turn. Growing up on the western side of town, I recall many of the places mentioned and recall the way things used to be. Children who were respectful of their parents and parents who were devoted to their children, street vendors, soda fountains where kids hung out,egg men and milk men --a much simpler and honest time. Ben, you really captured a good bit of my own childhood in this book. I can't thank you enough for writing a book that just made my heart swell with love and appreciation for times gone by. Thank you!!!
David Brand
5/11/2012 03:31:07 am
Southern Shade is a nostalgic look at the sights and sounds we grew up with as kids. Having grown up in the same area of town, I can readily identify with the people and places of my childhood. Thanks Ben, for the many terrific memories.
Kay Reid
5/31/2012 10:13:14 am
Just finished reading Southern Shade, and LOVED it! Made me wish that I had grown up in a large family where each child was there for the other! The Beechworths were such a kind, down-to-earth family, and I kept wishing that I could have known them! I hope there will be a sequel, and if so, I will buy it! The writer 'hooked' me right away with wonderful illustrations, descriptions, and details. Found it hard to put it down! Thanks for a great read!
Etta Lawsom
7/6/2012 09:36:05 pm
First. I am a 64 year old black woman. Ben said he thought I would be the first black to read his book. I live downtown near Ben,s place. We talked a good while and I told him I had surgery coming up the second week in Jun. He offered to give me a copy of his book to read for nothing long as I gave him an honest review when I got done.
Lisa Gundling
8/28/2012 09:55:24 am
This is absolutely one of the most delightful books I have had the pleasure of reading! The Beechworth family featured in this book is unforgettable -- lovable, inspiring, funny, vulnerable, down-to-earth and just plain real! In certain parts, I laughed until tears came out of my eyes, and in other parts, I cried until tears came out of my eyes! Ben Burton has a true gift for bringing his characters alive, and making sure that they worm their way into our hearts!
eddie hannon
9/7/2012 07:57:37 am
I read Southern Shade twice. The second book was better than the first. It had to be because I don't usually pay for something twice. Ben's book is the second best book I ever read out of over a thousand. The best one to me was Huck Finn, but Ben's was better than Tom Sawyer or To Kill A Mockingbird, about a little girl head-over-heels in love with her own father.
Linda H. Anderson.
9/14/2012 09:25:24 am
Dear Ben Burton,
Gwendolyn Chapman
9/16/2012 07:05:52 am
Reading your book is like looking into your soul. It is as though you physically opened yourself up, extracted all your thoughts/memories and somehow formed them into words that so aptly describe your feelings and take your readers on a wonderful journey. And, the journey is very powerful and poignant.
Vicki Hicks (McElroy) Gregory
9/17/2012 04:35:22 pm
I used the link to access your sample pages. I truly enjoyed. Ben, you have helped me without knowing. I have probably the thoughts to make 2 really good books based on truth. I had brain surgery this year and a grandson stationed with the marines. These were my distractions. I need to join "life" again. My book starts tomorrow. I give you credit for the courage to go. Your book looks awesome so far. I'll be ordering for myself & a couple of relatives. Thanks again. (Vicki Gregory, Pell City, Al at 205 863-5325)
KAthleen Wilson-Gray
9/21/2012 02:33:53 am
Thank you for sharing . Through this book, may will have feel emotions reminiscent of past years. This will revitalize the spirit, with strength ..for what they have endured; with laughter, from happiness they have forgotten and with sorrow for which we feel deeply and realizing, all the while, coming out of this will happen and change will move life forward. Beautiful, and appreciated.........♥
Mike Burke
12/7/2012 12:39:31 am
I just finished reading the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ben's a good friend of mine and have known him since Little League days. For all of us that were blessed to have grown up in the 1950's this is a great way to go back in time and remember the way that it was.
Diane Stephens Bell
3/23/2013 01:40:09 pm
Ben, I just finished " Southern Shade". Thank you so much for bringing back so many wonderful memories. West End was a great place to grow up and reading this book reminded me of how lucky we were to be raised back in the 50's. I'm with everyone else, I'd love for you to write another one. You have an amazing talent.
Colette
6/4/2013 07:17:09 am
I was so engrossed in Southern Shade that I felt as though I were tagging along with the Beechworth family. It was so nice to remember that time period when life was so much simpler, and it was very uplifting to observe the strong family bonds. I laughed at some of the silly antics and I was very sad over some of the troubles that family members endured. It was wonderful to escape from today's hectic life and spend a little time in Southern Shade. An excellent book!!
Jackie Fuhrey
6/22/2013 01:16:25 am
Ben, I am telling you right now you are a passionate writer and I believe you need to pursue this more. Thank you so much for taking me to your childhood/early adolesents years. The book was remarkable and capitivating. Every chapter that I read, I looked forward to the next chapter to see what your family was doing or how all of you kids were growing up, I feel like I know the whole Beechworth family. I love a book that you can picture in your mind as you are reading it and you did that with "Southern Shade" my friend. I would highly recommend everyone to get a copy of this book, it will bring back some of the best memories of the 1950's and the southern living style that we have in the south. When life was so much simpler! Thanks so much again and keep it going and continue to WRITE!
Dauna Vickers Scofield
6/24/2013 06:56:05 am
Ben, What a wonderful gift you have shared with so many of us as we took a trip back in time to good ole West End. Hearing so many places mentioned in this book has truly brought back some long forgotten memories. Village Creek where a friend and I used to hike after church, but not in the creek with all the "doo doo".Just along the banks. Double L bbq, which was my dad's favorite place to eat. Elyton Village and school, where a friend of mine taught for many years. I could go on and on about what a nostalgic trip you took me on. I love the way the family thinks of one another and looks out for each other. This book belongs in the Christian fiction in bookstores everywhere. Please listen to all of your fans and write a sequel and continue taking all of us on the journey down the halls of dear ole West End High. We all want to hear more about Irene, Jean, Danny, Zack, Pammy, Susie and Becky. What are they up to now? Thank you again for writing this wonderful book, Ben.
Willa Russell
8/26/2013 12:07:09 am
Wow, Mr. Ben Burton...........what a GREAT book. As a kid we took all of our vacations in the south (I like to call Alabama God's country)and I have visited many of the places that the book references. You have an awesome talent of allowing me to visualize everything that was happening, as if I was there. I absolutely LOVED your ability to depict dialect as if one was really there listening to the conversations. My very favorite was your use of "sayings" known only to southerners "dollar to a donut" etc. I look forward to more reading in the future. I believe I saw a few posts where the writer said they hated the ending, not the the way but that it did. I would have to agree.THANK YOU for allowing me to recollect many happy memories of a much simpler and happy time.
Terry Stone
10/14/2013 02:05:54 am
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