Nobody But the People

"The Life and Times of Alabama's Youngest Governor", an authorized biography of John Patterson.

Nobody But the People big book cover

Jun. 18, 1954: Phenix City, AL -
State Attorney General-elect Albert Patterson is murdered, prompting clean-up of the "Wickedest City in America."

Dec. 9, 1954: Birmingham, AL -
A Grand Jury returns indictments for the murder of Albert Patterson on three individuals: a Deputy Sheriff, a County District Attorney, and the Attorney General for the state of Alabama.

Nov. 7, 1958: Montgomery, AL -
New State Attorney General John Patterson (son of Albert Patterson) defeats Circuit Court Judge George Wallace to become Governor of Alabama.

May 14, 1961: Anniston, AL -
A Freedom Riders bus is attacked by a mob and set on fire.

May 20-21, 1961: Montgomery, AL -
Freedom Riders are set upon by a mob at the bus station. President Kennedy dispatches 400 U.S. marshals to protect the Riders. Martin Luther King arrives at the First Baptist Church to meet with the Riders. As racial violence spreads, Governor Patterson declares martial law.

"A thoroughly readable and fair-minded account of John Patterson's career, which was one of the most important in Alabama's recent history... In telling this important and multi-layered story, Warren Trest has given us a history that is vivid and alive."

- Frye Gaillard, author of 'Cradle of Freedom: Alabama and the Movement that Changed America'

"Award-nominated historian Warren Trest presents the first authorized biography of former Alabama Governor John Patterson... A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this compelling, true-life story of Patterson and the many achievements he made during his four-year administration... Highly recommended, and a welcome addition to American biography and Alabama state history collections."

- Midwest Book Review

published by NewSouth Books, 2008