by Dennis Love
published by William Morrow
Review by Caroline Pufalt
Sierrans may remember Anniston, Alabama as “that town Monsanto polluted.” Readers will recall reading in 2003 of the unfolding trial regarding how decades of careless disregard for public health left the community contaminated with PCBs and it eventually resulted in a “$700 million day in court.” Now, a book by Anniston native, Dennis Love, recounts the human drama behind the city’s struggle with its toxic legacy. The book’s title, My City Was Gone, captures how Love felt returning to his beloved hometown to cover the issue.
Love focuses on city leaders and citizens such as the mayor, a judge, and community activists to tell a story of how this mid sized city faced multiple problems. In addition to PCB contamination, the city faced the possible loss of its Army Depot as well as controversy over incineration of weapons stockpiles at that same Depot. Its citizens drew strength from their community as well as from some unlikely sources. One judge admits he sometimes asked himself, what would Andy do? Andy Griffith that is. Readers will come to know this cast and will likely admire their determination, faith in their city and hard work.
Like too many towns, Anniston’s residents lived in racially separate neighborhoods. Although the PCB pollution threatened everyone, its African American citizens were at greatest risk due to their proximity to pollution sources. After years of increased illnesses and death, many of those residents later learned that their yards were contaminated and houses devalued. A central character in My City Was Gone is David Baker, a black community activist who led the organizing effort for justice. His story is compelling, inspiring and tinged with sadness as he lost a younger brother to illnesses likely related to PCB exposure.
Love’s book includes highlights from the trial and evidence submitted. But his focus is not on environmental impacts or the science behind them. Instead he brings the story of a struggling town to light through the lives of its citizens and his own hometown memories. Love, a journalist, is well suited to take us the behind the headlines story in a readable account. But there is enough information on the dynamics of the pollution to understand the gravity of the town’s problems. There is another angle for Sierrans in this book because Anniston was also struggling with the area’s Army Depot and military facility used to incinerate old ammunition and other hazards. Despite the controversy, Anniston eventually accepted the incineration operation. But in the meantime the Sierra Club and others were vigorously fighting for an alternative to incineration in Rocky Flats facility in Colorado.
Why read My City Was Gone?
One reason is to learn how varied citizens pulled together to save their health, homes and ultimately their town. Another reason to read this book is to remind us that without adequate environmental laws and non partisan enforcement, it may be too easy for another town to find itself in Anniston’s position.