The Best Books About Atlanta: Ranked and Reviewed

Sometimes, the best way to get to know a place is by reading about it. A book gets you into all of the little details that illuminate the history and meaning of your favorite cities.

We’re going to look at some of the best books that you can buy about the city of Atlanta, ranging from historical books to stories about some of the city’s famous criminals.

Let’s dive into the best books about Atlanta that you can buy today!

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Books About Atlanta

#1 Best Overall: 111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss by Travis Swann Taylor

In our opinion, the best overall book about Atlanta is 111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss by Travis Swann Taylor.

If you’re going to Atlanta for any period of time, this is the best book you can buy. Traveling the tourist destinations can be fun, but you get tired of it after a few stops. That’s when you need a travel guide to show you the best places, take you somewhere that you can relax and enjoy yourself, and round out your trip with some beautiful experiences.

Featuring interesting and lesser known places that are not in all the regular tourist guides, this book offers an insiders guide to Atlanta. It also features stunning full-color photographs to assist you in the decision making process.

Pros and Cons of 111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss by Travis Swann Taylor

Best Overall

111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss

• Travel guide which shows you the best places in the city
• Plenty of helpful images to work with and aid you in your decision-making process

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2. Best History Book: Hidden History of Old Atlanta by Mark Pifer

Whether you’re mad about history or just want to learn more about Atlanta’s background Hidden History of Old Atlanta by Mark Pifer is the book for you.

It’s one thing to learn about what’s happening in a city right now, but an entirely different one to explore the area’s past. The Hidden History of Old Atlanta dives deep into the ancient roots of Atlanta’s history and explores the historical and cultural forces that shaped what it is now.

This book even goes back further, looking at the people who lived in the area in the pre-Columbian era and beyond. It even goes so far as to look into the deep past and explore what the geographical area was like before humans first arrived many thousands of years ago.

Pros and Cons of Hidden History of Old Atlanta by Mark Pifer

Best History Book

Hidden History of Old Atlanta

• Dives deep into the ancient roots of Atlanta’s history
• Takes into account pre-Columbian history
• It includes forgotten details about the struggles of African Americans.

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3. Best Photographs: Atlanta Then and Now® by Michael Rose

It’s amazing how the world around us can change but many landmarks remain year after year. Featuring stunning “then and now” photographs, Atlanta Then and Now® by Michael Rose is one book you don’t want to miss out on.

This book is an excellent way to see and read about the amazing transition that this city has made. The history of a place comes alive when you can see it make the change from then to now. Throughout the process, you’ll see how the simple fact that Atlanta was a destination for one of the country’s early railroads dictated its central role in becoming the state’s capitol. Plus, you’ll see various landmarks through the ages. Also, it’s available in both paperback and hardcover editions.

Pros and Cons of Atlanta Then and Now® by Michael Rose

Best Photos

Atlanta Then and Now®

• Read about the amazing transition this city has made
•  Features stunning photographs.
• It shows the same landmarks as a "then and now" format.

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4. Best for Exploring: Georgia Discovered: Exploring the Best of the Peach State by Chris Greer

If you fancy exploring Atlanta then you definitely need Georgia Discovered: Exploring the Best of the Peach State by Chris Greer as your handy guide.

This book serves as one part travel guide and two parts entertainment. It’s certainly worth exploring for anyone who’s interested in Atlanta or the state of Georgia in general. Understanding Atlanta requires that you have a good idea of the rest of the state, its people, and the way it operates. Further, understanding the geography and natural beauty of Georgia will help you appreciate Atlanta even more. Anyone going to Georgia should flip open this book and see what there is to do in this wonderful state.

This book offers an exciting guide to many of the best places for you to explore in Atlanta — whether art museums, festivals, restaurants, or theatres. It is 232 pages long and is available as both a paperback and a hardcover. Unfortunately, this book is quite expensive, although this is its only drawback.

Pros and Cons of Georgia Discovered: Exploring the Best of the Peach State by Chris Greer

Best for Exploring

Georgia Discovered: Exploring the Best of the Peach State

• One part travel guide, and two parts entertainment
• Will help you appreciate the geography and natural beauty of Atlanta and the state of Georgia
• It is organized by region and features stunning photographs.

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5. Most Chilling: Child Killer: The True Story of The Atlanta Child Murders by Jack Rosewood

Although not for the faint hearted, Child Killer: The True Story of The Atlanta Child Murders by Jack Rosewood is a fascinating read for anyone interested in true crime.

This grim true crime story details a series of events that sent shivers down the spine of every Atlanta resident, especially those with children. The events were known as the “Atlanta Child Murders case”. 1979 through 1981 was plagued by dozens of abductions and murders. Learn how profilers discovered the killer to be a man named Wayne Williams, someone who most people would never have suspected.

The events shaped the way that people live their lives even to this day. It’s an excellent read for anyone who enjoys true crime podcasts, books, and movies. True crime books are arguably the best way to take in this kind of media because you get to work through at your own pace, never missing a detail as you follow how the events unfolded. Plus, there are Kindle, paperback, and audio editions available.

Unfortunately, this book is only 180 pages long and customers have reported that it is not as detailed as they expected it to be.

Pros and Cons of Child Killer: The True Story of The Atlanta Child Murders by Jack Rosewood

Most Chilling

Child Killer: The True Story of The Atlanta Child Murders

• This book is an excellent read for true crime fans.
• It is full of chilling case details.
• It is written with a gripping narrative that allows you to follow the case as it unfolded.

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6. Best Discover: Lost Atlanta by Michael Rose

If you want to discover Atlanta as it once was then check out Lost Atlanta by Michael Rose.

Lost Atlanta is perfect for anyone who wants a gripping set of images and accounts about Atlanta’s past. Ranging from colonists’ interactions with the Creek tribe through the city’s difficult role in the Civil War, the book uses photos when it can but covers a lot of ground. Most of Atlanta’s important historical moments are accounted for, and there are even a number of images and events that you’ve probably never heard of. Learn about the rich, difficult, and surprisingly old history that underpins the city of Atlanta, everywhere from the origins of Ponce de Leon Springs to the Greyhound Bus station. Plus, there are numerous places detailed that have since been lost to time.

Pros and Cons of Lost Atlanta by Michael Rose

Best Discovery

Lost Atlanta

• Gripping set of images and accounts about Atlanta’s past
• Learn about Atlanta's rich history
• Discover the city as it once was through dozens of lost buildings and landmarks.

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

It can be difficult to choose the perfect book, but there are a few things to consider which will help you with your decision. First, are you curious about Atlanta in general, or are you planning a trip there? If you’re just curious about Atlanta and its history, then a book like Hidden History of Old Atlanta is the way to go. You can sit down and dig into that book to get all of the juicy historical insights you’d ever need.

If you’re not looking to spend an afternoon or three reading a historical book, then you might be more interested in Atlanta Then and Now, which is a little more image-based. There are still informational sections, but you’ll be able to peruse without using too much brain power.

Those who are traveling to Atlanta should invest in either 111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss or Georgia Discovered: Exploring the Best of the Peach State. These are both excellent ways to get the lay of the land and plot the course for your journey.

Finally, those of you looking for a page-turner should look at The True Story of The Atlanta Child Murders. It sounds grim, but anyone who’s listened to a true crime podcast or two knows just how gripping these stories can be.

Interestingly, learning about the case gives you a clear insight into Atlanta’s community in 1980 as well as the lay of the land, the names of cities, and the way those cities operated. You can learn a lot about a place by learning how it handles serious crimes.