The fruits of many lives, minds and hearts went into the making of this book, and I am profoundly indebted to each one. The authors of more books, newspaper and magazine articles than I can count deserve—and have—my gratitude, and the support and forbearance of more friends than I knew I had have kept the essential fires burning.
Special thanks are due to the dedicated and tireless staff of the Atlanta Historical Society, and to the many generous friends who shared their stories of Atlanta lore with me, especially Ham Stockton, David LeBey, Dick Williams, Betsy Fancher, Patsy Dickey and Marty Yarbrough;
And to Emily and Joe Cumming, who shared the magic of Tate colony and the richness of their lives; Emily’s story of the deer’s leap is, I think, a special point of light in these pages;
And to Alex Sanders, whose extraordinary anecdotes have been shamelessly purloined, as have the lifelong memories of my incomparable typist and dear friend, Martha Gray;
And to my beautiful friend Virginia Schneider, gone now, who showed me what Atlanta could be at its best;
And to my husband, Heyward, who knew this book would happen and never let me forget it;
And to my agent and editor, Ginger Barber and Larry Ashmead, who helped it happen at each step along the way.
And finally, and with love and gratitude, to my friend Pat Conroy, who, on an autumn Saturday two years ago, made me see that it could happen…and should.
Thanks, guys. I love you all.
—Anne Rivers Siddons
February 1, 1988
Atlanta