Where I Come From

Stories from the Deep South

By: Rick Bragg

Narrated by: Rick Bragg

From the best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of All over but the Shoutin' and The Best Cook in the World, a collection of his irresistible columns from Southern Living and Garden & Gun.

Celebrated author and newspaper columnist Rick Bragg brings us an ode to the stories and history of the Deep South, filled with “eclectic nuggets about places and people he knows well” (USA Today) and written with honesty, wit, and deep affection.

A collection of wide-ranging and endearingly personal columns — from Bragg’s love of Tupperware (his mother preferred margarine tubs and thought Tupperware was “just showing off”) to the decline of country music, from the legacy of Harper Lee to the metamorphosis of the pickup truck to the best way to kill fire ants — Where I Come From is a book that will be treasured by fans old and new.

©2020 Rick Bragg (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Eye-popping... Eclectic... Without even trying, Bragg explains why it is humans came to believe in miracles... The larger slices of southern life are the most welcome (the reader often is still hungry when the tidbits end)." —USA Today 3.5 out of 4 stars

“Bragg’s unfeigned writing, knowing truisms and funny advice holds strong throughout this stress-allaying book.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Bragg’s secret sauce is his combination of crisp description, never-ending humor (occasionally pathos) and insight into his brain. He takes the things we think of as common and stands them on their heads. If ever we need a little funny, it is now. And this is Bragg’s present to you." —The Florida Times-Union

Loved it!

This book is like going to a family reunion! The part about HOT CHICKEN had me in tears from laughter, which is GREAT unless you are driving 😳. Listening to Rick Bragg as the narrator is perfect. It’s also like getting to talk to my Dad again. From a woman with a Southern heart and soul THANK YOU .

Beguiling atmospheric stories from the Deep South

Rick Bragg is one of the great, but perhaps under appreciated, writers of our time. From Ava's Man to My Southern Journey to this new one, Where I Come From, he draws the reader into his world past and present.

Very much a southern historian his words paint pictures giving the reader insight and empathy into the day to day struggles of life in Alabama 100 years ago as easily as he describes his favorite meal, or moment with his mom, from a month ago.

His southern drawl is reason enough to get the audio book, come for the accent, stay for the stories.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

As a fellow Alabama native of approximately the same age as Rick Bragg, this book was a wonderful reminder of my own treasured memories of growing up Southern. Some stories brought me to tears, and others made me laugh out loud. Nearly all of them made me nod in recognition of things long forgotten. These are stories of the true South, told by someone who loves it in spite of its imperfections. Bragg's slow Southern drawl may not be quick enough for some listeners, but it is the authentic voice of the South that makes these stories feel real. You get the sense of sitting with Bragg in rocking chairs or a porch swing on a hot summer day, with a cold glass of sweet tea in you your hand, and listening to him reminisce about his family, places he has lived, meals he has enjoyed, and dogs he has loved. I was genuinely sorry to come to the end of this book.

Crimson Drips From His Mouth

Interesting stories, mostly , but after awhile, the knee-jerk Alabama Drawl begins to become monotonous.

What a book

Being from the south, most books miss what the true south is all about. This is a perfect illustration of what home, the south, really is about.

Good book my favorite

Good book very well written and enjoyable to good to say I love it so much

A must read! Travel back in time while you drive!

A visit into the Deep South. As someone who has researched and have been writing a novel set in Mobile, AL, it was great validation knowing Bragg's essays and vignettes aligned with my research. I listened on audio (a recommended experience) laughing out loud to Bragg's nuanced humor, honesty, and nostalgia. You don't need to be from the Deep South to appreciate this collection (I grew up in New York).

A slice of home

Particularly loved the performance. The humor and warmth wrapped me in a warm dose of home to brave the gray days of Pittsburgh.

Childhood Similarities

I have listened to almost all of the books written by Rick Bragg. I have enjoyed them immensely. Poor people from the south just trying to get by the best they could. His stories touch close to home for me.

Great writing as usual

What’s better than reading a book by Rick Bragg? Rick Bragg reading his book to you, that’s what! As usual I’m hooked with the first few words he reads. He’s one of my favorite Southern writers. His stories have been a balm to my soul during the pandemic. Hoping he’s already working on his next one.