Deep Blues: A Musical and Cultural History of the Mississippi Delta by Robert Palmer - An absolute must-read for anyone heading to the Delta, or just anyone who loves American music. Palmer tells the personal histories of great bluesmen trace the evolution of the blues from Africa to the Mississippi Delta (and even beyond, to rock n rock)...

O Brother, Where Art Thou? - Everyone mentions that this whimsical Depression Era Coen brothers tale is based, in parts and loosely at that, on The Odyssey. This is true. But it is even more firmly grounded in the lore, legends, and history of the Mississippi Delta—from Tommy Johnson selling his soul to the devil so he could play the guitar to the corrupt politicians, chain gangs and cotton fields, and an homage to the great flood of 1927. And not for nothing did it spawn a best selling soundtrack (and another best selling "inspired by" follow-up CD). This lyrical movie has the roots music and soul of the Delta shot through its very core. Also, Clooney has never been funnier.