Editor of The Tuscaloosa News for nine years, and active resident of the community for nearly 35 years, Donald Brown has lived many of Tuscaloosa's highs and lows. As an honored career journalist his reputation is one of sensing that what he hears and sees often may contain a timely, strong story. Such ability and experience formed the idea for this book: starting with the 1950s and going to through 2018--68 decisive, crucial years during which stepping stones often created a rough path that challenged Tuscaloosa to keep climbing ever upward toward its destiny.