Before Scarlett: Girlhood Writings of Margaret Mitchell

Being a collector of GWTW memorabilia, I'm always anxious to find anything about its author and to see how her incredibly creative mind worked. To find the material in the manner in which Jane Eskridge and her beau did only adds to the fascination of the book. The history and pictures included are informative, and although some of Margaret's stories are incomplete, the talent exhibited for such a very young age only makes the reader shake his/her head in amazement. She considered herself a "made writer" instead of a "born writer" but was badly mistaken. All of us who have struggled through the years with writing wish we had been so blessed. Jane Eskridge did a remarkable job in editing this latest work of Margaret Mitchell.

I have been a fan of Gone With the Wind and Margarett Mitchell since I was a junior in high school, the same year the book celebrated its 50th anniversary. Since then I have re-read GWTW (many times) and anything else I have been able to get my hands on pertaining to GWTW and Margaret Mitchell and I have to say this book was a great find! The actual writings are a bit hard to follow as there are bits and pieces - and in some cases whole chapters missing, but all and all it is a very nice glimpse of her talent and love of writing even at a very early age. What I was most impressed with were the pictures and background information provided about Ms. Mitchell's life and life in Atlanta at the time. The physical quality of the book is very nice as well - the pages are a slick heavy stock paper and the deckled eges were a very nice touch. I have no complaints and can only hope that somewhere in the recesses of another old building in Atlanta there are more such treasures to be found.

Everyone thinks of Margaret Mitchell only in terms of GWTW and there is so much more. Through several biographies and letter collections in recent years I have learned that she was a very intriguing woman in ways that would surprise many. Now, this book shows an amazing talent, demonstrated at such a young age. Most charming, perhaps, is her very own insecurity about being good at anything, seemingly, when in fact she was very gifted. What a treat.

This book gives a completely charming view into the young mind and creative spirit of one of my most beloved writers. Margaret Mitchell, at age ten, was writing more compelling, more exciting fiction than writers with a lifetime of practice. The pictures, many of which I've never seen before, are many and well chosen. The story of how these writings were discovered--in moldering boxes in a soggy Atlanta basement--is enough to make the heart of any "Antiques Roadshow" fan leap! Highly recommended!

This is a wonderful companion to Margaret Mitchell's writings. If you like to collect MM, this is a must-have. The pictures and print are in a sepia tone. The text is entertaining & intelligent. It is also an insightful look into old Atlanta.