Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (unbridged)

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Summary: Biography of a City
Review: Berendt's ability to be sucked into whatever situation presents itself to him makes him an incredible observer--he sees much, judges little. He leaves it up to the reader to form their opinion of a little-known city whose recent life is chronicled in this book. It also helps non-southerners understand certain aspects of the south a little better

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Summary: The guided tour of social Savannah!
Review: After visiting Savannah, a town still thriving with Old South charm, I decided to read the book. I saw Monterey Square, the River Street, and the parks talked about in the book. But, to my suprise, I got a guided tour of the pristine socialite dirty laundry! This book covers the entire spectrum of Savannah--from the wealthy party-givers to the Confederate flag-waving rednecks, from a backwoods voodoo queen to a cross-dressing star of the night. AND it's based on a true story--you can't make this stuff up!! Absolutely Fabulous!

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Summary: That it is a non-fiction mystery is compelling!
Review: Once a book has been on the best seller list for as long as this one, it doesn't need to be recommended. Too many people have read it to worry if it is good. The reason for its dramatic success is the character analysis of the people. That the life of each of the main players seems so obscure from the mainstream, yet so possible, allows us to view a slice of a culture we might never see. The nature of these people is so well presented, we actually believe they are real -- and then remember they are! The only drawback is that the book is too short to give a total description of so many of the people involved. The author covers so much ground, that some of the people get a two-dimensional treatment. In the cassette version, the author adds his comments, which, again, brings home how real the story is. The only part I didn't understand was how he got all that time to meet these people: doesn't he have a job? While the diversity of the people is commendable and "politically correct", part of the charm is knowing they are far away in a small town in Georgia, as remote as if they were really fictional

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Summary: engaging story; dominant character is not a person but place
Review: Walking out of the bookstore I saw it on the best-seller shelf next to the door, handsome in its misty gray dust jacket, anchored there like a barnacle. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, 130-plus weeks on the New York Times best-seller list, two and a half years for a book that fails to offer New Age-digestible solutions to enduring mysteries as does The Celestine Prophecy, a book that doesnÍt even flirt with the idea of guilt-free middle-age passion as did The Bridges of Madison County. A quirky b

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Summary: A must read for everyone.
Review: This is a book that you can not put down until you have finished it. The characters are all real people that you either like or hate, but you can not stay neutral

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Summary: You can't put it down!
Review: This book is full of suspence and mystery, so much so that you can't put it down because you want to know what is going to happen next! Stories of drag queens,murder mysteries, and of a town with voodoo rituals and beliefs. It is one of the best books that I have read in the past couple of years

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Summary: Over-rated tabloid tripe.
Review: I eagerly looked forward to reading this book but was awfully disappointed. Throughout the book the author basks in the reflected light of the eccentricities and foibles of some admittedly colorful characters, but, aside from stroking his own ego, never really shows any good reason for his own presence in the book.

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Summary: Daunting illumination of the southern way
Review: The truth stings at times, and a number of the Savannah upper class got their due. I have hawked this books to many friends, and insisted they would thank me when they finished. It is highly stimulating and pulls you into the world of the rich and poor alike. I am from Georgia, and it is as close to the truth as you can get. I was pleased to see This Old House take such an interest when filming in Savannah last fa//winter. Loved seeing Lady Chablis in the flesh. The filming should begin soon and I can't wait.

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Summary: So incredible, I had to remind myself it's non-fiction.
Review: What a lucky break! Berendt becomes fascinated by Savannah, and during his stay there, a bizarre murder occurs, making a great story even better! The ending was so strange, yet so fitting, that it would have fit the best novel

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Summary: Savannah, the city & high society come alive!!
Review: It's more than a story of a true crime; it about Savannah and her people; It's an intimate look at the mystique of southern high society & culture - Savannah comes alive as never before. Berendt has the ability to make you feel that you are living the experience. The city & character come alive in full color; after you finish the book you'll want to visit Savannah!