In 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman and 60,000 Union soldiers embarked on a sixty-mile wide path of destruction through central Georgia now known as Sherman's March to the Sea. Georgians scrambled to resist this infamous campaign wherever possible, and opposition came from many unexpected sources, including the brave women of the Peach State. In every sense "steel magnolias," Georgia's women weren't ready to give up their precious South without a fight. This book explores the brave contributions these women made in the face of severe destruction and loss.

In Sherman's wake, Union soldiers burned and plundered as they went, destroying mill towns and charging with treason the fleeing women and children laborers who had sewn Confederate cloth. One Atlantan named Mary Rawson said, "Time after time we had been told of the severity of General Sherman until we came to dread his approach as we would that of a mighty hurricane." Still, despite the devastation and fear Sherman and his troops inflicted on the Georgia countryside and its cities, the Georgian belles were poised to stand firm in the face of an invasion meant to sever the very fabric of the South.

Cathy Kaemmerlen, a renowned storyteller and historical interpreter, provides a colorful collection of tales of exceptional Georgia women who made great sacrifices in an effort to save their families and homes. From the innocent diary of a 10-year-old girl to the words of a woman who risks everything to see her husband one last time, Kaemmerlen exposes the grit and gumption of these remarkable Southern women in inspiring and entertaining fashion.

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Approximately seventy thousand souls lay in rest at historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia. Cathy J. Kaemmerlen shares the stories of the famous men and women buried in this historic cemetery, a graveyard filled with coffins of Civil War soldiers, Civil Rights pioneers, acclaimed writers, and leaders of industry. Readers meet past Atlanta residents such as Margaret Mitchell, author or Gone with the Wind, golf-great Bobby Jones, Atlanta historian Franklin Garrett, and others who played a role in Atlanta’s evolving history. Although this cemetery holds ornate headstones from the Victorian period, not far from some of Atlanta’s celebrated sons and daughters are paupers buried at public expense. Here at Oakland Cemetery, headstones from the past mark the history of Atlanta.

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**Watch a clip from the recent WSB-TV special on Oakland Cemetary**

"The Historic Oakland Cemetery of Atlanta:Speaking Stones", like most of History Press' publications, is content laidened and complimented with photographs. There is so much to learn in this book, it left me wanting more -- which is a good thing! I learned so much about Atlanta history from the author's descriptions of the headstones in Oakland Cemetery. It was easy to put together a historical outline from her narrative. I like the way she turned each tombstone into a story, which ultimately is how we want our lives to be remembered. The Author pays tribute to these lives and makes us care, which is more than most history books accomplish. History Press appears to have a motive to keep local history alive. This book certainly accomplishes that, it keeps these men and woman live who now lie in Oakland Cemetery.

As Administrator of the Georgia Writers Association, many books come across my desk for nomination in the Georgia Author of the Year Awards. When this book came in, I had to take it home to read it. I bring many books home, yet finish very few. I read this book cover to cover. It is a great read. Every historical site in Atlanta should sell this book. It is better than having a real live tour guide. It would be a great book for someone coming to Atlanta and wants to see the real story of Atlanta.

Lisa Russell, White, GA

Cathy J. Kaemmerlen shares with us the stories of Atlanta’s famous men and women who lay at rest in the historic Oakland Cemetery. There are approximately seventy thousand souls who were important in Atlanta’s history. There are the thousands of Confederate soldiers along with their officers and generals; Civil Rights pioneers, leaders of industry, and acclaimed writers, all with a story to tell. Cathy J. Kaemmerlen turns each tombstone into a story, which is what each of us today, wish for our lives to be remembered. The reader finds out about great Atlanta residents such as Margaret Mitchell, author of the greatest Civil War novel GONE WITH THE WIND. The great Atlanta golfer Bobby Jones is buried there, as well as Atlanta historian Franklin Garrett, and others who played a role in Atlanta’s history thru the years. 

Oakland Cemetery holds some very ornate headstones from the Victorian period, but not far from the celebrated sons and daughters of Atlanta, are the paupers buried at public expense. The author pays tribute to all of these lives and makes us care, which is a lot more than most history books can accomplish. There is so much to learn from this book and it is complemented with some excellent photographs.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Atlanta and wants to see the real story of the gateway city of the South. This is a fascinating and enjoyable read. They should sell this book at every historic site in Atlanta, as these people who lay here in Oakland Cemetery, made all of these places of interest historic through their actions. This little book is really better than a real live tour guide. Cathy J. Kaemmerlen thru her words gives you the very best tour through this beautiful garden of Taltna’s speaking stones.

Book Review by Ed Porter from THE LONE STAR NEWSLETTER’S : DAWG DAYS OF SUMMER BOOK FAIR, May 18, 2008