This unusual friendship that challenged the concept of race relations at the time started when C.P. Ellis, leader of the Durham, N.C., Ku Klux Klan and Ann Atwater, a black activist and community organizer, headed a series of town meetings together on school desegregation. Friends until Ellis' death in 2005, the two considered each other family; Atwater was the only exception to the family-only request at his funeral. Davidson explores the relationship between race and class, how cooperation is possible when people are willing to listen, and the complex evolution of race relations in the south in his book.
Davidson is a well-known journalist and author of five non-fiction books, covering topics from sea turtles in "Fire in the Turtle House" to the National Rifle Association in "Under Fire," in addition to "The Best of Enemies." Davidson also co-wrote the screenplay for the IMAX documentary, "Coral Reef Adventure," and publishes The Phoenix Sun, a syndicated online news and analysis site covering solar power from the American Southwest where he lives in Phoenix, Ariz. Davidson is a regular contributor to Rolling Stone magazine, and has been published in The New York Times,Mother Jones, The Nation, The New Republic, Salon.com, The Washington Post, Woman's Day, Popular Science, NPR's Morning Edition, and Grist.org.
The Artists & Authors Series dinner provides an intimate connection to captivating personalities like Davidson who bring history to life. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception, followed by dinner, the program, and a book signing. The event is $45 for each ticket and $320 for a table of eight for Historical Society members, and $55 for each ticket and $400 for a table of eight for non-members. For reservations, please call (407) 836-7010.
The Orange County Regional History Center, housed in a restored historic five-story 1927 courthouse in downtown Orlando, showcases the vast collection of the Historical Society of Central Florida, Inc. The museum features four floors of permanent exhibits and also presents nationally important limited-run exhibitions. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Orange County Regional History Center is located at 65 E. Central Blvd. in downtown Orlando.Visit thehistorycenter.org for more information.
