Winner of the 2010 Eudora Welty Book Prize and the Mississippi Library
Association's Non-fiction Author's Award for 2011, a survivor's tale of
the hurricane's destruction and a community's enduring determination
Hurricane Katrina tore into Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, raking away
lives, buildings, and livelihoods in a place known for its picturesque,
coastal views; its laid-back, artsy downtown; and its deep-dyed southern
cordiality. The tragedy also revealed the inner workings of a community
with an indomitable heart and profound neighborly bonds. Those
connections often brought out the best in people under the worst of
circumstances. In Under Surge, Under Siege, Ellis Anderson, who rode out
the storm in her Bay St. Louis home and sheltered many neighbors
afterwards, offers stories of generosity, heroism, and laughter in the
midst of terror and desperate uncertainty. Divided into two parts, this
book invites readers into the intimate enclave before, during, and after
the storm. "Under Surge" focuses on connections between residents, then
demonstrates how those bonds sustained them through the worst hurricane
in U.S. history. "Under Siege" documents the first three years of the
grinding aftermath, detailing the unforeseen burdens of stress and
depression, insurance scandals, and opportunists that threatened to
complete the annihilation of the plucky town. A blend of memoir,
personal diary, and firsthand reportage, Under Surge, Under Siege
creates a compelling American testament to the strength of the human
spirit. Ellis Anderson, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, received a
Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Fellowship for portions of this
book. An excerpt appeared in Southern Cultures. Learn more at the
author's website at http: //www.undersurge.com/.
