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Religion and American Culture
Keeping the Faith: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives
This historical memoir by the widely recognized scholar, Wayne Flynt, chronicles the inner workings of his academic career at Samford and Auburn Universities, as well as his many contributions to the general history of Alabama. Flynt has traveled the state and the South lecturing and teaching both lay and academic groups, calling on his detailed knowledge of both the history and power structures in Alabama to reveal uncomfortable truths wherever he finds them, whether in academic institutions that fall short of their stated missions, in government and industry leaders who seek and hold power by playing to the fears and prejudices of the public, or in religious groups who abandon their original missions and instead seek financial and emotional comfort in lip service only.
In doing so he has not only energized those who think the State of Alabama can and must do better, but also has earned the enmity of those who prosper, profit, and prevaricate for their own selfish ends. Nevertheless, Flynt utilizes a lifetime of learning and reflection to voice the conscience of his community. Keeping the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives tells the story of his life and his courageous battles against an indifferent or hostile hierarchy with modesty and honesty. In doing so he tells us how Alabama institutions really are manipulated and, more importantly, why we should care.
In doing so he has not only energized those who think the State of Alabama can and must do better, but also has earned the enmity of those who prosper, profit, and prevaricate for their own selfish ends. Nevertheless, Flynt utilizes a lifetime of learning and reflection to voice the conscience of his community. Keeping the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives tells the story of his life and his courageous battles against an indifferent or hostile hierarchy with modesty and honesty. In doing so he tells us how Alabama institutions really are manipulated and, more importantly, why we should care.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
About the author
Wayne Flynt
43 books26 followersJames Wayne Flynt is Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at Auburn University. He has won numerous teaching awards and been a Distinguished University Professor for many years. His research focuses on Southern culture, Alabama politics, Southern religion, education reform, and poverty. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Online Encyclopedia of Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 23, 2026
Keeping the Faith: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives by Wayne Flynt is a thoughtful and deeply reflective memoir that combines personal history, political insight, academic experience, and social commentary into a compelling portrait of Alabama’s cultural and institutional landscape.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is Wayne Flynt’s honesty and intellectual clarity. Rather than presenting a polished or self congratulatory memoir, the narrative offers candid reflections on academic life, political power structures, religious institutions, and the ongoing social tensions that have shaped Alabama and the broader South.
The memoir also succeeds in balancing personal storytelling with historical analysis. Flynt’s experiences at Samford and Auburn Universities provide readers with an insider perspective on academic institutions while also opening broader conversations surrounding education, leadership, morality, and public responsibility.
Another notable strength is the book’s willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. Flynt examines the ways power, prejudice, religion, and institutional interests intersect within public life, often challenging systems that prioritize control, comfort, or political expediency over integrity and social progress.
The narrative voice itself remains engaging throughout. Flynt writes with intelligence, humility, and conviction, allowing readers to connect with both the historical context and the personal experiences that shaped his worldview and professional journey.
The book also carries strong emotional and social resonance through its focus on ordinary people whose lives and struggles often remain overlooked in broader historical narratives. This emphasis reinforces the memoir’s deeper themes surrounding conscience, justice, responsibility, and community.
Beyond memoir, Keeping the Faith functions as an important reflection on Southern history, institutional accountability, and the role intellectuals and educators can play in challenging injustice and encouraging meaningful civic dialogue.
For readers interested in memoir, Southern history, education, politics, religion, and social criticism, Keeping the Faith: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives offers an insightful and thought provoking reading experience grounded in honesty, scholarship, and lived experience.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is Wayne Flynt’s honesty and intellectual clarity. Rather than presenting a polished or self congratulatory memoir, the narrative offers candid reflections on academic life, political power structures, religious institutions, and the ongoing social tensions that have shaped Alabama and the broader South.
The memoir also succeeds in balancing personal storytelling with historical analysis. Flynt’s experiences at Samford and Auburn Universities provide readers with an insider perspective on academic institutions while also opening broader conversations surrounding education, leadership, morality, and public responsibility.
Another notable strength is the book’s willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. Flynt examines the ways power, prejudice, religion, and institutional interests intersect within public life, often challenging systems that prioritize control, comfort, or political expediency over integrity and social progress.
The narrative voice itself remains engaging throughout. Flynt writes with intelligence, humility, and conviction, allowing readers to connect with both the historical context and the personal experiences that shaped his worldview and professional journey.
The book also carries strong emotional and social resonance through its focus on ordinary people whose lives and struggles often remain overlooked in broader historical narratives. This emphasis reinforces the memoir’s deeper themes surrounding conscience, justice, responsibility, and community.
Beyond memoir, Keeping the Faith functions as an important reflection on Southern history, institutional accountability, and the role intellectuals and educators can play in challenging injustice and encouraging meaningful civic dialogue.
For readers interested in memoir, Southern history, education, politics, religion, and social criticism, Keeping the Faith: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives offers an insightful and thought provoking reading experience grounded in honesty, scholarship, and lived experience.
August 23, 2012
Autobiography that lays out how Flynt ended up being a historian and why he has been so passionate about documenting the history of the ordinary Alabama citizen. Last couple chapters are especially juicy for state residents as he lays out some the University of Alabama Trustee machinations of the 1990s and early 2000s for all to see.
April 3, 2016
Wonderful memoir of Wayne Flynt - child of poverty, Samford graduate, history professor at Samford and then at Auburn, Baptist preacher, progressive, lifelong advocate for education and economic reform. Provides a front-row seat for the politics of pover
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews