The American South by Rail

At Drayton Hall, an historic plantation mansion on the outskirts of Charleston, SC, the acronym "KGB" is not generally understood to refer to Russian secret agents, but rather to the mouthwatering delight of "killer green beans." Drayton Hall is one of the stops on the luxurious American Orient Express, which boasts refurbished Pullman cars, gourmet dining, and beautiful scenic views as the train wends its way from New Orleans to Washington, D.C. Stops include Mobile, AL, whose Mardi Gras (founded in 1703) predates the Big Easy's; Savannah, GA, where viewers meet John Berendt, author of the publishing phenomenon Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil; and Richmond, VA, where the old train station has been imaginatively restructured as a science museum, thereby saving the historic building from demolition. Covering almost 1,400 miles and 8 states in 7 days, the journey offers viewers a taste of the wonders of the South: from her glorious gardens and stately live oaks to her cobblestone streets and antebellum mansions. Needless to say, grits are included with breakfast. Originally airing on PBS, this very nicely filmed production should be a welcome addition to most travel collections. Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)