A gateway to Alabama for the omnivorous mind, Distracted by Alabama is a collection of twelve captivating essays about Alabama and the South by Samford University writer and scholar Jim Brown, a former president of the Alabama Folklife Association.

Immersed in the Cahaba River --Homewood's salamander migration and festival -- The Archy Culvert, a.k.a. Ross Bridge -- Foxfire, folk crafts, and folkcenter south -- What wondrous love is this : sacred harp singing -- Telescoping time : landscape architecture, historical geography, and greenways -- Herb doctor Tommie Bass and the scholars -- Experimenting with experiential education -- Survival of the great shoal fishtrap and other old practices -- River redhorse and the seasonal snaring thereof -- The mountain workshop of the Alabama Audubon Society -- For the amusement of the boys : John Mealing, railroad caller.