The Education of Mr. Mayfield: A True Story of Race, Friendship and Social Change in the Deep South

The Education of Mr.

Mayfield is a true story that reads like fiction, offering an unforgettable account of an unlikely friendship between a white professor and an African-American custodian at the University of Mississippi in 1949.

This remarkable book was named Best Non-Fiction Book in the South (IPPY Awards 2009) and has been optioned for film.

The story begins with a gripping opening involving the KKK, but quickly shifts to the heartwarming tale of how Stuart Purser, the Art Department chairman, took M.B.

Mayfield under his wing and provided him with one-on-one instruction and classroom access despite the university's segregation.

Through their shared love of art, Purser and Mayfield formed a deep bond that transcended racial barriers, and their friendship continued to grow over the years through Purser's lecture trips and shared experiences.

This inspiring true story is a must-read for anyone who loves Southern history and heartwarming stories of unlikely friendships.