Interweaving written documents, oral interviews, and pictorial images, Beasley presents a vivid picture of Galveston's alleys and alley life from the founding of the city into the twentieth century. The book blends a unique combination of research, photography, and the voices of those who have lived and live along the alleys.

Beasley has uncovered and analyzed a wealth of new information not only about the back buildings of Galveston but also about their occupants and the complex cultural forces at work in their lives. The result is a significant contribution to the fields of architectural and urban history as well as to African American studies.