“Georgia Made: The Most Important Figures Who Shaped the State in the 20th Century” with Neely Young.
Neely is a native of Cedartown, a graduate of the University of Georgia and a proud journalist. In 1968, he joined his family-owned newspaper, the Valdosta Daily Times, working in the photography department. He has served as a curator on the Georgia Historical Society and often wrote about historical figures in his columns for Georgia Trend magazine. His book, Georgia Made, is a continuation of his long-standing interest in Georgia history and historical figures.
These are the people who hauled Georgia up from its poor, agrarian roots, making it among the most diversified, prosperous states in the country. They are famous, obscure, colorful, outrageous and saintly, all with fascinating stories and all consequential, sometimes in ways felt the world over. They include Martin Luther King Jr., Jimmy Carter, Ted Turner, Alice Walker, Juliette Gordon Low, “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron and Vince Dooley who all deserve recognition among the most influential Georgians of the twentieth century.