Book Review: Walk With Me: New York: Photographic Stroll Through New York Streets Capturing Serendipitous, Everyday Urban Poetry, by Susan Kaufman

Walk With Me: New York: Photographic stroll through New York streets capturing serendipitous, everyday urban poetry. by Susan Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a collection of incredible photographs of many of the Manhattan (and Brooklyn) neighborhoods. Susan Kaufman has a background in magazine publishing and fashion, and has a wonderful eye for architecture, decor, and history. Her photographs immerse the reader in each of the city's wonderful areas. Her captions describe the location of each photo, and she includes a map at the end of each neighborhood chapter which identifies her favorite streets and locations.

I discovered this book at the shop in the main branch of the New York Public Library a couple of years ago. I glanced through it and realized that I *had* to have it! Since we regularly visit our son and soon-to-be-daughter-in-law in NYC, I have reviewed her book and compiled a list of her favorite streets and points of interest. During our NYC visits we try to explore two or three new areas, using her book as our guide. We have found so many interesting sites that we wouldn't have discovered otherwise! Pro Tip -- follow her on Instagram @skaufman4050 to get her wonderful photos in your IG stream daily!

Please note that the author has compiled another book focusing on the Hamptons!
Walk With Me: Hamptons: Elegant photography tour through Hamptons estates, beaches, and the cultivated ease of summer living.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

View all my reviews

Book Review: The House by the Side of the Road: The Selma Civil Rights Movement by Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson

The House by the Side of the Road: The Selma Civil Rights Movement by Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an autobiography / memoir told by Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson, the wife of the dentist Dr. Sullivan Jackson.  It was their home in Selma, Alabama, "The Jackson Home," that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used as his headquarters to rally supporters for the Voting Rights Act and the Selma Civil Rights Movement.  Their daughter, Jawana, was just five years old at the time, and loved when 'Uncle Martin' came to visit.

Greenfield Village in Dearborn (part of The Henry Ford) recently acquired The Jackson Home and had it moved from Selma to Dearborn, Michigan.  It is opening to the public this weekend (June 12-14, 2026) with a festive Block Party.  We had the good fortune of touring the house last month and the experience was quite moving.  The house is preserved just as it was in 1965 with as many original furnishings and accessories as possible.  The Henry Ford staff worked tirelessly to find additional items which needed to be added to those original items.  

Here is a 48-minute documentary, created by our local NBC affiliate WDIV, which was broadcast earlier this year.  The Jackson daughter, Jawana Jackson, is now 65 years old and is featured in the video talking about Dr. King and the role that her house played in making history.  One of the fascinating things in this video is how they had to cut the house in two in order to transport it from Selma to Dearborn on two different trucks, and then reassemble it once it arrived in Greenfield Village!
https://www.clickondetroit.com/video/news/2026/02/26/backstory-the-jackson-home/ 

This is an incredible book telling the story of the Selma Civil Rights Movement.  Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson is a wonderful storyteller, and reading the book I felt like she was my grandmother, sitting in a rocking chair with me at her feet on the carpet while she was telling me the tales of her life and all the important people who came to The House by the Side of the Road.  A very compelling memoir; very highly recommended!

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/. 

View all my reviews