This work investigates the social and cultural landscape of Wilcox County, Alabama, through a focused photographic study of its county seat, Camden. Bob Adelman, a photographer known for his documentation of the American Civil Rights Movement, utilizes a visual-first approach to capture the daily existence of residents in the Black Belt region. The book presents a collection of images and accompanying text that examine the intersection of race, poverty, and community identity in a rural Southern setting during the late 20th century.

Critics and historians recognize this work as a significant visual record of rural Southern life during a period of transition. Readers frequently note the stark, unvarnished nature of the photography as a primary strength of the collection.