Rick Bragg Books In Order

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Rick Bragg
Rick Bragg is a non-fiction author known for his captivating memoirs. In his writing, Bragg chronicles his family’s life and the challenges they encountered. The author comes from a family of cotton pickers, whiskey makers, and mill workers who did everything to improve the family’s living standards. Looking at Bragg’s achievements, it is clear that their dreams came true. The Colhoun county native has earned over 50 words for his journalism and books. The talented author now works as a Professor of Writing at the University of Alabama. He lives in Tuscaloosa and enjoys fishing in the company of his wife Dianne and stepson Jake.

All Over But the Shoutin’
All Over But the Shoutin’ highlights the author’s family’s life. Rick’s father was a war-haunted alcoholic who spent his free time downing moonshine and abusing his mother. Despite all the odds working against her, Ricks’s mother put all her efforts into raising her family. She was protective of her three sons, and she would not let him abuse them. She also worked hard to eliminate the ignorance and poverty that characterized her life. This she achieved by ironing for neighbors, working in cotton farms, and doing odd jobs for others to ensure the family had enough to live on. Thanks to his mum, the author was able to crawl out of poverty and build a good life for himself.

At some point, Rick’s father abandoned the family leaving his mum to raise the children alone. Not one to run away from challenges, Rick’s mum dedicated all her energy to her family, and she denied herself so much to ensure that her sons were comfortable. Throughout the pages, Rick’s love for his family shines through. It is clear that he remains proud of his mum for what she did for him and his siblings. There is also a deep sense of family from all the interactions with cousins, aunts, and uncles. His mother’s side of the family was constantly in the boy’s life such that they never felt that they lacked in any way.

Rick draws a perfect picture of his rural southern upbringing. Poverty was the common denominator in his small town. Like other stories on the rural South, religious figures make an appearance here. However, like the experienced journalist he is, Rick expertly weaves such figures through his personal stories, experiences, and emotions. His stories of how home felt like for him and his brothers overflow with imagery, making this a sometimes-painful memoir to read. The biography is raw and unsentimental, yet it still manages to be uplifting.

All Over But the Shoutin’ is a heartbreaking and beautiful story of a white southern woman and her battle with poverty. It is also a man’s love letter to his mom for all she did to shape his life against all odds. The writing is honest and brilliant, turning this into a moving story. Through this memoir, we get to see how Rick grew from a boy to a responsible man. His truth changes as he grows and recounts his experiences with an open mind and heart. The author’s willingness to write about his family in such an honest way shows his courage. It is admirable that instead of being a slave to these circumstances, he rose above them and become the man his mother worked hard to mold.

Ava’s Man
Ava’s Man is a memoir starring Charlie Bundrum, Rick Bragg’s grandfather. Charlie held many jobs during his lifetime. He was a carpenter, roofer, fisherman, and whiskey-maker. Often, he went fishing with his children and made boats using car hoods. He was also a loving husband to Eva and a devoted father to his seven children. During the Great Depression, Charlie tried everything possible to keep his wife and children from starvation and poverty. He moved them twenty-one times and took jobs in steel mills while other times working for food. When his fourth daughter was born, Charlie was so broke that he paid the doctor who delivered her with whiskey.

Despite poverty, Charlie maintained a happy home. He was a buck dancer, and while other men cussed and fought after drinking, Charlie sang. This man had a talent for looking at life from the most positive light and enjoying every moment with his family. Over forty years after his death, Charlie was still fondly remembered by his children and those who knew him. While Rick wasn’t born by the time of Charlie’s death, he was fortunate to hear about his grandfather from his mom and aunts and uncles. The author has such respect for him that he built a souring monument in his honor.

As he narrates his family’s story, the author also paints a perfect life picture during the great depression. The working people living in the Deep South went through many hardships, and the effects continue to be felt to date. Those who were deeply rooted in the area lost everything, and many families never recovered after this. There was the loss of life, property, and everything most families knew. Rick also pays tribute to the vanishing southern culture. His writing is magical and will easily transport you to a bygone era when modern luxuries were unheard of. The descriptions are done in such a detailed manner you can imagine everything from the smell of Charlie’s liquor to the lightning bugs.

Ava’s Man is a heartwarming story about the author’s grandfather. In this book, the author focuses on his mother’s childhood and his grandfather’s impact on his family. Life in the Appalachian foothills wasn’t any easy during the great depression. However, it is amazing how wealthy Charlie’s family was in tradition, imagination, family, and love. Charlie and Eva married young, and despite the heartaches, life threw their way, they remained loving and dedicated to each other. You will love reading Charlie and Ava’s love story. The author’s grandfather left such a huge mark in his children’s life that his strong sense of family continued to be felt many years later.

2 Responses to “Rick Bragg”

1. Denise Nolan: 3 years ago

   I feel much like you do! I am in my 60’s now and the youngest of seven children and sadly only a few of us left. Discovering Rick Braggs wonderful writings has been the highlight of getting older now. I search almost daily now in hopes of discovering something new from him. He would make a wonderful podcast host that I would differently listen to daily. Please Mr. Bragg please give us something weekly if not daily. You are greatly loved and needed in our world today! God Bless you and your family! Please?

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2. Silver (real) Kim: 4 years ago

   I have read all of Rick Bragg’s book AND I want him to sit down and write another one so does my son, Greg. I know he teaches writing but while teaching he can sit down at night when it’s quite and start a new one. His mother reminds me of my own mom; however, I come from a large family (4 brothers & 4 sisters) only two brothers are left and me. I can relate to so much what he writes about. Tell Rick Bragg to catch up his fans on what his life is about now instead of just fishing. I truly hope he is doing well. Silver A. Kim originally from Rockingham, NC, now living in Longs, S.C.

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