What do you think?
Rate this book
Politically Incorrect Guides
Politically Incorrect Guide to the South
With its emphasis on traditional valuew, family, faith, military service, good manners, small government, and independaent-minded people, the South should certainly rise again.
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 2006
28 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
About the author
Clint Johnson
32 books15 followersAfter writing about the American Civil War for 13 books, Clint chose another field of history: Naval History. He was inspired to write about naval destroyers after discovering the coincidences surrounding the sinking of USS Jacob Jones (DD-61) in WW I, and the USS Jacob Jones (DD-130) in WW II. DD-61 was the only U.S. warship sunk by enemy fire in WW I. DD-130 was the only U.S. warship lost in American territorial waters in WW II. TIN CANS & GREYHOUNDS: The Destroyers That Won Two World Wars covers the history of destroyers from 1874 through 1945 with a focus on U.S., Great Britain, Japan and Germany.
Clint lives in the mountains of North Carolina with his wife Barb.
Clint lives in the mountains of North Carolina with his wife Barb.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 22, 2013
A loathsome narcissistic diatribe filled with the usual half-truths, distortions, and outright lies (see below). Johnson is just another Lost Causer who can't stand being on the wrong side of history. Utterly useless for students, given the total lack of citations or primary sources. But then, such a book is not intended to inform or persuade, merely to reinforce existing prejudices.
The author displays exactly the kind of sectional bigotry he rails against, continually putting down "Yankees" and lumping them all together...unless he likes them, at which point he makes them "honorary Southerners". Perhaps the rest of the nation wouldn't be so quick to stereotype the South if Southerners like Mr Johnson weren't so quick to fulfill those stereotypes.
Half-truth: Lincoln and the North didn't fight the war over slavery.
Reality: Lincoln and many Northerners fought the war to preserve the Union, which was in danger of being divided OVER SLAVERY.
Distortion: rising tariffs were an important cause of secession.
Reality: the existing Tariff of 1857, one of the lowest in US history, was written by Virginian (and later Confederate Secretary of State and Senator) Robert M.T. Hunter. Also, Louisiana sugar producers wanted protectionist tariffs (Johnson would be apoplectic at this idea, seeing as how he is a devotee of Mr Austrian School Lite himself, the execrable Thomas DiLorenzo).
Lie: the Confederacy did not instigate aggressive action towards the US from April to December 1861.
Reality: the Confederacy invaded New Mexico Territory in July 1861 and tried to set up their own Arizona Territory.
The book is peppered with little sidebars, like "Books Y'all Aren't Supposed to Read". Included in one of these is Huckleberry Finn, which is a standard in high school curricula, so to claim that evil liberals are trying to suppress it is hard to swallow. Also, Mark Twain was a socialist, making this a rather odd recommendation from a rabid right-winger.
Read this book if you want unsourced quotes devoid of context, either meta- or literal. Read it for the spectacle of willful stupidity. Read it for the snobbery of victimhood at the hands of those whom you turn around and call snobs. Just don't expect anything else.
The author displays exactly the kind of sectional bigotry he rails against, continually putting down "Yankees" and lumping them all together...unless he likes them, at which point he makes them "honorary Southerners". Perhaps the rest of the nation wouldn't be so quick to stereotype the South if Southerners like Mr Johnson weren't so quick to fulfill those stereotypes.
Half-truth: Lincoln and the North didn't fight the war over slavery.
Reality: Lincoln and many Northerners fought the war to preserve the Union, which was in danger of being divided OVER SLAVERY.
Distortion: rising tariffs were an important cause of secession.
Reality: the existing Tariff of 1857, one of the lowest in US history, was written by Virginian (and later Confederate Secretary of State and Senator) Robert M.T. Hunter. Also, Louisiana sugar producers wanted protectionist tariffs (Johnson would be apoplectic at this idea, seeing as how he is a devotee of Mr Austrian School Lite himself, the execrable Thomas DiLorenzo).
Lie: the Confederacy did not instigate aggressive action towards the US from April to December 1861.
Reality: the Confederacy invaded New Mexico Territory in July 1861 and tried to set up their own Arizona Territory.
The book is peppered with little sidebars, like "Books Y'all Aren't Supposed to Read". Included in one of these is Huckleberry Finn, which is a standard in high school curricula, so to claim that evil liberals are trying to suppress it is hard to swallow. Also, Mark Twain was a socialist, making this a rather odd recommendation from a rabid right-winger.
Read this book if you want unsourced quotes devoid of context, either meta- or literal. Read it for the spectacle of willful stupidity. Read it for the snobbery of victimhood at the hands of those whom you turn around and call snobs. Just don't expect anything else.
September 30, 2007
This is the BEST BOOK EVER!!!! READ IT! No matter if you're from the North or the South!! READ IT!!! :)
What the PC Police don't want you to know--and what they got plain wrong--about the South
From the Founding Fathers to the frontiersmen who tamed the West to the country music, NASCAR, Biblethumping heart of "Red State" America, the South is the quintessence of what's original, unique, and most loved about American culture. And with its emphasis on traditional values, family, faith, military service, good manners, small government, and independent-minded people, the South is just plain more livable than the North--which is one reason why millions of Yankees, white and black, have been moving down South in droves.
The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to the South gives you the facts behind scores of revelations like these:
· How Southerners led the way in drafting the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights
· How the Northern victory led to today's all-powerful federal government
· Why race relations in today's South are much better than in the North--or anywhere else in America
· Why the South is naturally conservative (and the North is naturally liberal)
· How American jazz, blues, and rock and roll all came from the South
· Why Southerners are overrepresented in the military--and no, it's not poverty
· The best American literature? Southern, of course
"The South is all about memory, heritage, and pride of place," writes Clint Johnson. "I refuse to go along with the expunging of that memory, heritage, and pride, and I hope the readers of this book, Northern and Southern, will rise up and join me in protesting those who are trying to do it."
What the PC Police don't want you to know--and what they got plain wrong--about the South
From the Founding Fathers to the frontiersmen who tamed the West to the country music, NASCAR, Biblethumping heart of "Red State" America, the South is the quintessence of what's original, unique, and most loved about American culture. And with its emphasis on traditional values, family, faith, military service, good manners, small government, and independent-minded people, the South is just plain more livable than the North--which is one reason why millions of Yankees, white and black, have been moving down South in droves.
The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to the South gives you the facts behind scores of revelations like these:
· How Southerners led the way in drafting the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights
· How the Northern victory led to today's all-powerful federal government
· Why race relations in today's South are much better than in the North--or anywhere else in America
· Why the South is naturally conservative (and the North is naturally liberal)
· How American jazz, blues, and rock and roll all came from the South
· Why Southerners are overrepresented in the military--and no, it's not poverty
· The best American literature? Southern, of course
"The South is all about memory, heritage, and pride of place," writes Clint Johnson. "I refuse to go along with the expunging of that memory, heritage, and pride, and I hope the readers of this book, Northern and Southern, will rise up and join me in protesting those who are trying to do it."
May 5, 2014
Our worst stereotypes are of those whom we think we know but we don’t. Removing such prejudices is hard because we have very little incentive to find out more information since we are a “state of rest” when it comes to interests of knowing more about the particular group we think we know. I believe that Southern people and culture is one such example for many non-Southerners. I say this as someone from the West Coast who was exposed to Southern ways for the first time when I was in the Marines.
This is a book about the South. Of course the topic of racism is in the back of the readers mind and early in the book the author is frank to disavow any support of racism and even said that not everything about the South is right when it comes to the topic of racism. This helps for an outsider to hear this. But like anything in life there are other complexity to account for and also other things of Southern culture and society that is good.
The author goes on in the book to show how the South is not all backward as some may assume. For instance, currently Southern states have increasing rate of minorities moving in versus the decrease of minority population in the rest of region of the United States and in particular the more liberal Northeastern part of the country. This was something I have never heard of before, being only familiar with the flight of African Americans from the Southern in certain era of American history. The book also talks about how the South has grown as an economic powerhouse and certain part of its subculture have become a part of what defines America.
Besides food, sports, patriotism (Southerners historically contribute a lot to our military and still do), the part that interests me the most in the book is the topic of history. While the section on religion was interesting to me as a Pastor, it’s the history that the book devotes the most time to.
The book discussion of the Civil War is excellent as it reveal the complexity of the origin of the war. I think this book and other literature I have read demonstrate that the North wasn’t necessarily going to war to free the slaves as our popular narrative likes to tell it. The North was as equally racist during that time as the South is. One should also point out that the North’s treatment of those in their industry wasn’t necessarily better than the South with their slaves and at times could be worst than those in the South with their Patriarchal ways (observing this is not to condone it). Today people celebrate and remember African American’s contribution in the Northern Army but we can easily forget that there were minorities in the Confederate army as well. The book discusses Jews and blacks in the Confederate army. “Black Southerners in Grey” is a wonderful chapter. Sometimes people forget that people can fight in a war for various reasons and that just because one support one reason (for states rights for instance) doesn’t necessarily mean they fought for another reason.
The book also talks about the North’s atrocities against blacks as well by the Northern Army. I admit this was a harder part for me to read but we must let history speak instead of conforming history to our expectations. The book also discussed the tryanical ways of the North such as Lincoln jailing Maryland legislature, and the President issuing warrants against the Chief Justice (fortunately no Marshall agreed to carry out the warrants). The North also forced a lot of immigrants to fight in a war that they didn’t know about. The author also discussed the horrific ways the North fought against the South and how the North introduced total warfare by attacking civilians and the land rather than just the Southern Army. Think “Sherman’s march to sea,” and other policies like it. Most people may not realize it, but the Northern generals Sherman and Grant were against Emancipation Proclamation.
There is so much more that I learned in the book and I recommend it.
This is a book about the South. Of course the topic of racism is in the back of the readers mind and early in the book the author is frank to disavow any support of racism and even said that not everything about the South is right when it comes to the topic of racism. This helps for an outsider to hear this. But like anything in life there are other complexity to account for and also other things of Southern culture and society that is good.
The author goes on in the book to show how the South is not all backward as some may assume. For instance, currently Southern states have increasing rate of minorities moving in versus the decrease of minority population in the rest of region of the United States and in particular the more liberal Northeastern part of the country. This was something I have never heard of before, being only familiar with the flight of African Americans from the Southern in certain era of American history. The book also talks about how the South has grown as an economic powerhouse and certain part of its subculture have become a part of what defines America.
Besides food, sports, patriotism (Southerners historically contribute a lot to our military and still do), the part that interests me the most in the book is the topic of history. While the section on religion was interesting to me as a Pastor, it’s the history that the book devotes the most time to.
The book discussion of the Civil War is excellent as it reveal the complexity of the origin of the war. I think this book and other literature I have read demonstrate that the North wasn’t necessarily going to war to free the slaves as our popular narrative likes to tell it. The North was as equally racist during that time as the South is. One should also point out that the North’s treatment of those in their industry wasn’t necessarily better than the South with their slaves and at times could be worst than those in the South with their Patriarchal ways (observing this is not to condone it). Today people celebrate and remember African American’s contribution in the Northern Army but we can easily forget that there were minorities in the Confederate army as well. The book discusses Jews and blacks in the Confederate army. “Black Southerners in Grey” is a wonderful chapter. Sometimes people forget that people can fight in a war for various reasons and that just because one support one reason (for states rights for instance) doesn’t necessarily mean they fought for another reason.
The book also talks about the North’s atrocities against blacks as well by the Northern Army. I admit this was a harder part for me to read but we must let history speak instead of conforming history to our expectations. The book also discussed the tryanical ways of the North such as Lincoln jailing Maryland legislature, and the President issuing warrants against the Chief Justice (fortunately no Marshall agreed to carry out the warrants). The North also forced a lot of immigrants to fight in a war that they didn’t know about. The author also discussed the horrific ways the North fought against the South and how the North introduced total warfare by attacking civilians and the land rather than just the Southern Army. Think “Sherman’s march to sea,” and other policies like it. Most people may not realize it, but the Northern generals Sherman and Grant were against Emancipation Proclamation.
There is so much more that I learned in the book and I recommend it.
September 8, 2018
I truly was looking forward to this, but was sorely disappointed about the writers perspective. He came across as a jackass and his generalizing of EVERYTHING was so laughable. I’ll stick with Gone With The Wind as my reference to the south for now, thanks.
PS The series claims to be “Politically Incorrect” but really it should be called “An Extremists Point Of View of...”
PS The series claims to be “Politically Incorrect” but really it should be called “An Extremists Point Of View of...”
February 12, 2014
This is the definite tribute to Southernness. It is a must read for all Southerners at heart who are proud to be so, and all lovers of the American distinctiveness. Those who don't like America, specially within America, specifically mean they don't like the South. New Englanders, millionaires and those who dominate the media and can afford to tell the working classes who's cool and who's not, whose opinion matters and whose doesn't, those who hate tradition and order and invent the latest ism of the day, they want to Europeanize America. But the South is not broken.
The book covers the history of the South, but it specially on the War for Southern Independence; it talks about aspects of Southern society, politics and culture. There are many stories here that will no doubt astonish you, for they are not taught in public schools and are kept silent by the politically correct watchdogs. It's amazing how the masses can be kept ignorant and manipulated by just a few. We say “We, the People” but we mean “they, the government”.
The book covers the history of the South, but it specially on the War for Southern Independence; it talks about aspects of Southern society, politics and culture. There are many stories here that will no doubt astonish you, for they are not taught in public schools and are kept silent by the politically correct watchdogs. It's amazing how the masses can be kept ignorant and manipulated by just a few. We say “We, the People” but we mean “they, the government”.
January 10, 2022
It is INCREDIBLY bizarre to watch someone harangue about how the American Civil War was about "states' rights" (what rights were those, Clint? the right to own other human beings?) and then turn around and say that the American South gave us blues, jazz, and rock and roll. Who do you think invented those genres, buddy? Because it sure as fuck wasn't white people.
February 28, 2016
With a Southern wife who has lived in Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia I had eventually to read this book! Thankfully, I have been a fan of the South since my late teens and have understood since then that loving the Confederacy has nothing to do with supporting slavery as it was then.
This book certainly covers Southern heroism during the War Between the States and related issues, but it does so much more. It looks at Southern chivalry (which is alive almost nowhere else), Southern hospitality, Southern values and everything else that makes the South so great. You'll also learn a bit about barbecuing, NASCAR, beer, hunting, guns and Conservatism.
A fun and inspiring read.
Loved it.
This book certainly covers Southern heroism during the War Between the States and related issues, but it does so much more. It looks at Southern chivalry (which is alive almost nowhere else), Southern hospitality, Southern values and everything else that makes the South so great. You'll also learn a bit about barbecuing, NASCAR, beer, hunting, guns and Conservatism.
A fun and inspiring read.
Loved it.
Read
October 1, 2007Another delightful book in the politically incorrect (aka rabid right wing nonsense) series. This one, as evident from the cover, is a glorification of the South and all things southern. If you think that the Confederacy was great and don't want to take an honest look at slavery because it makes you uncomfortable than you should buy this book. Just make sure your knuckles don't drag on the ground too much on the way to the bookstore.
May 8, 2009
I got a lot of laughs out of this book, bit it's not meant to be funny! The author is still into the civil war, rebel flag, dixie, Republican party, limited government, and resons for why the South is more important to out country, the center of culture and history, low tax rates and blah, blah, blah. This southern boy cooked a Yankee pot roast after reading this so called book! There were plenty of historical facts that i really did enjoy learning!
June 15, 2020
Whether you're a Yankee asking the questions of Shreve McCannon from Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom ("Tell about the South. What's it like there. What do they do there. Why do they live there. Why do they live at all."), or whether you're a native Southerner wanting to celebrate your roots, this book is a fun and refreshing look at the South.
March 19, 2023
Es como leer el folleto de una secta: negar las verdades más evidentes con “hechos”. Ni siquiera es divertido.
September 17, 2014
This book usually garners a knee jerk reaction. The politically correct and the anti-Southern factions often will reflexively tense up and shake their fingers saying, “how dare Johnson write a book like this.” Well that is unfortunate because this is a book that should be read by all that wish to understand the South and those with real Southern roots. Johnson begins the book with an apropos quote, the famous one from Faulkner about the past not being dead in the South. I won’t reproduce it here since I have read that the Faulkner estate has been known to sue people for using it without permission. This review is hardly worth paying a licensing fee, but the quote clearly fits with this book.
I jokingly have stated that this book should be required reading for any northerner before being granted a visa or green-card to live or work in the South. This is only half joking, since it would prosper anyone greatly who wants to understand the Southern mind and the Southern way of life. You see, the more the media establishment attempts to eradicate Southern heritage and the Southern way of life, the more those with Southern blood dig their heels in. Johnson does the non-Southerner a favor by taking you into the Southern mind and giving you a good old tour and by the end, you will thank him. Upon finishing this book, the reader will better understand what Southerners are trying to hold onto and why they are so determined to do so. In fact, you just might understand so well that not only will you not want to destroy all things Southern, you just might want to become a Southerner yourself.
I jokingly have stated that this book should be required reading for any northerner before being granted a visa or green-card to live or work in the South. This is only half joking, since it would prosper anyone greatly who wants to understand the Southern mind and the Southern way of life. You see, the more the media establishment attempts to eradicate Southern heritage and the Southern way of life, the more those with Southern blood dig their heels in. Johnson does the non-Southerner a favor by taking you into the Southern mind and giving you a good old tour and by the end, you will thank him. Upon finishing this book, the reader will better understand what Southerners are trying to hold onto and why they are so determined to do so. In fact, you just might understand so well that not only will you not want to destroy all things Southern, you just might want to become a Southerner yourself.
May 2, 2010
As a person who seeks the truth of all matters, these Politically Incorrect Guides are like holy testaments. Sort of. Generally speaking, though, they really do 'tell the other side of the story' that we don't get in most history books, or really at all, anywhere.
I read this book (and the P.I.G. to the South) for a project I was doing for my English class back in my last year of school. Both of these books were wonderfully written, in a rather amusing style that reminisced a little of the Dummies guide books.
This book, the guide to the south, finally explained some things to me that I'd been wondering about for a really long time. Why Laura Ingalls Wilder's parents, for instance, weren't happy when the song 'Dixie' was played, in one of the Little House books, as well as a whole bunch of other conundrums. Perhaps if you grow up in the South, it's not so much of a problem, but having grown up in the sun-filled valley and beaches of California, my experiences were all coming through the media.
Still, I am glad for this book, for putting things down so clearly and understandably. Especially all the book and film references it gives.
This series is certainly an excellent place to start (or finish) for anyone interested in the real deal!
I read this book (and the P.I.G. to the South) for a project I was doing for my English class back in my last year of school. Both of these books were wonderfully written, in a rather amusing style that reminisced a little of the Dummies guide books.
This book, the guide to the south, finally explained some things to me that I'd been wondering about for a really long time. Why Laura Ingalls Wilder's parents, for instance, weren't happy when the song 'Dixie' was played, in one of the Little House books, as well as a whole bunch of other conundrums. Perhaps if you grow up in the South, it's not so much of a problem, but having grown up in the sun-filled valley and beaches of California, my experiences were all coming through the media.
Still, I am glad for this book, for putting things down so clearly and understandably. Especially all the book and film references it gives.
This series is certainly an excellent place to start (or finish) for anyone interested in the real deal!
December 9, 2010
This is just a fun book. At moments it is funny and at others a little curious. Not really heavy reading, but it is not particularly in depth either. If you want to learn the truth about the North and the South this is a great book to read!!! It is chock full of information you usually don't find in history books or classes, giving new light to "accepted" history as it hails and honors the American South and all that is good about it, without wallowing in apologetic misery about what was wrong about it.
Read it and find out about this much-maligned region of our country. The topics range from fun, ie. How to distinguish Kentucky barbecue from Carolina barbeque, to serious, truthful assessments of slavery and the War Between the States, and refutations of some politically correct myths that surround the teaching of these subjects. This book will teach you a lot about Southern values and history. It is a great tribute to this culturally rich region that is looked upon by many in the nation as a cultural backwater.
Read it and find out about this much-maligned region of our country. The topics range from fun, ie. How to distinguish Kentucky barbecue from Carolina barbeque, to serious, truthful assessments of slavery and the War Between the States, and refutations of some politically correct myths that surround the teaching of these subjects. This book will teach you a lot about Southern values and history. It is a great tribute to this culturally rich region that is looked upon by many in the nation as a cultural backwater.
February 15, 2013
Make no mistake about it, this book is apologetically Southern. The author presents The South in a positive but necessary light. I say that because the region gets a bad rap in the mainstream media. I was born and raised in South Texas so my culture was a little different than the one in The Deep South. I lived in Alabama for 2 years and traveled all over the southern states; I learned all the stereotypes I had heard growing up about The South were completely untrue.
I recommend this book for people not from The South; it is an eye opening experience and the author gives book recommendations for further reading. The book can get a little preachy at times but it's not meant to be a scholarly work. It's more of an introduction to a misunderstood region of America. A lot of the negative reviews if not all of them are by people not from The South or have never lived there. It is a fairly easy read and the author has a flare about him that is reminiscent of a Southerner.
I recommend this book for people not from The South; it is an eye opening experience and the author gives book recommendations for further reading. The book can get a little preachy at times but it's not meant to be a scholarly work. It's more of an introduction to a misunderstood region of America. A lot of the negative reviews if not all of them are by people not from The South or have never lived there. It is a fairly easy read and the author has a flare about him that is reminiscent of a Southerner.
July 4, 2009
I read this book in 2007 and am including it here since I am going to read a book called "The South Was Right" about the Civil War. Clint Johnson points out the wonders of Southern Culture; the history and food, the folklore and the sacrifices made by Southerners during the Revolution and other wars. His defense of the Confederacy is long and detailed, (Northerners were racists, the war was over the tariff, not over slavery, slaves were mostly part of the family, yadda, yadda, yadda). Sure, there is racism everywhere, and Lincoln occasionally tossed in the "N" word here and there, but the Confederacy was a white supremacist government that committed treason. A charming book, but didn't change my mind at all.
August 27, 2022
Really not as good as other politically incorrect guide books, but it does show you (albeit not explicitly, but in a friendly way aka the southern way) how much the south has been attacked by elites over the past century. Almost every hero, tradition, symbol has been branded racist or bigoted by the elites around the country who suffer from a massive case of projection.
It’s a shame because there’s a ton of benefit southern culture has to offer our society. Which is the problem. The wealthy and academic elites hate competition. Progressivism is an imperialistic, fundamentalist religion after all.
It’s a shame because there’s a ton of benefit southern culture has to offer our society. Which is the problem. The wealthy and academic elites hate competition. Progressivism is an imperialistic, fundamentalist religion after all.
September 1, 2014
This is a wonderful (and wonderfully documented) book. The first section on southern culture will put a grin on your face, and the second section of history might make you a bit sad (yet none the less proud of southern historical heritage), but it's pulled together by a great final chapter on the possibilities of the future. Great book that doesn't claim not to be biased.
Read
May 24, 2008This is very much a politically incorrect account of why the South is "better" than the North. Basically the first few chapters are hilarious (I won't say whether or not I agree or disagree with the author), but then the rest of the book is a long, dry, boring history lesson.
May 20, 2012
What a great read; informative, fun, and biased in the right direction. The chapters are all meaty and the side-bars are likewise informative and fun to read. Should be required reading for all Southeners and for Yankees who move South.
July 17, 2021
Not bad, but also not necessary. Anyone who agrees with the author should already be aware of the information provided and those who are afflicted with a determined prejudice against the Southern states are incapable of learning.
March 9, 2008
I am from the south and this was a great book to learn more of our history. If you want to learn the truth about the North and the South this is a great book to read!!!
May 11, 2022
Really wish I could get back the brain cells I lost by reading this book.
-Lifelong Mississippian
-Lifelong Mississippian
May 24, 2020
I have relatives and friends in the South and spent a year there myself. We even owned quite a few rental properties there. I love the food and the people. So I actually enjoyed reading most of The Politically Incorrect Guide to The South by Clint Johnson. Gone With the Wind is one of my favorite historically-based books and movies and we visited several related museums in the Atlanta area; I do agree it is a great read that gives an accurate account of Southern Culture. I learned that that author, Margaret Mitchell, even hired an historian to confirm the accuracy of her facts folded into her masterpiece. But then things started to go south (pun intended) when I noticed the author's inability to mention the Republican Party with out putting his bias on display by adding the word radical. He also seems to not know that the origins of the KKK are found in the Democrat party who also provided many members. I recognize that there are often proven facts that I don't like but at least they are based in truth. There are other areas that the author politically departs from widely acknowledged facts such that it makes me question what is actually true and what is just thrown in for political reasons that could have easily been left out as they detract from the rest of the book. I sadly cannot recommend this book!
February 23, 2023
As part of clearly right-wing-leaning Politically Incorrect Guide Series, this revisionist book seeks to absolve The American South from its much-maligned reputation, for history is written by the victors, and The South is forever condemned as racist, slaveholding losers. In this book, the author begins its revision by describing how The Southern culture is prominent, if not superior from other regions of America. Then, he continued with the southerners’ contributions to American History, providing alternative views on American Independence Revolution, War Between the States (more commonly known as the Civil War), the Reconstruction Era and Early Modern Era.
Of course the author pointed out that slavery, is South’s greatest mistake. However, he stated that only after pointing out that many northerners toiled in the same, if not worse, conditions in Factories. The other sore point was that the author avoided the issue of jim crow era, dismissing it as consequence of The Reconstruction Era, which wrecked upon The South’s political, cultural and economic fabrics.
Overall, as with most of the books within the series, I enjoyed this short perusal. Moreover, The South, and its underdog quality, holds a special place in my heart when discussion on USA emerges.
Of course the author pointed out that slavery, is South’s greatest mistake. However, he stated that only after pointing out that many northerners toiled in the same, if not worse, conditions in Factories. The other sore point was that the author avoided the issue of jim crow era, dismissing it as consequence of The Reconstruction Era, which wrecked upon The South’s political, cultural and economic fabrics.
Overall, as with most of the books within the series, I enjoyed this short perusal. Moreover, The South, and its underdog quality, holds a special place in my heart when discussion on USA emerges.
August 7, 2019
A fun introduction to the South. Possibly biased of course- but nothing is ever that simple or black and white. Sure, the South has the Duke boys, but there’s always a Boss Hogg who is a Southern staple as well.
I did learn a fair bit about Slavery and the Civil War. It’s possible to lay much of that blame on the North. The Aggression of the North (while attacking and burning southern homes and towns AND slaves over political authorities). Yes, freeing slaves was a very recent thing that the North was politically self-righteous about and used as political propaganda. Abe Lincoln was no Saint. Some say a racist power-mad warmonger.
Sadly, freeing 4 million slaves into the burned economically destroyed South isn’t as noble as many would think. Black folks were still suffering in the North from this new found oppression and race riots.
Is the General Lee flag fully to blame? Barely. The Northern Slaveships surely weren’t flying that flag.
I did learn a fair bit about Slavery and the Civil War. It’s possible to lay much of that blame on the North. The Aggression of the North (while attacking and burning southern homes and towns AND slaves over political authorities). Yes, freeing slaves was a very recent thing that the North was politically self-righteous about and used as political propaganda. Abe Lincoln was no Saint. Some say a racist power-mad warmonger.
Sadly, freeing 4 million slaves into the burned economically destroyed South isn’t as noble as many would think. Black folks were still suffering in the North from this new found oppression and race riots.
Is the General Lee flag fully to blame? Barely. The Northern Slaveships surely weren’t flying that flag.
May 2, 2022
Clint Johnson's examination of both the South and the politics that surrounded the Civil War causes and outcomes is surface-level at best. He takes the political and social controversies that have surrounded Southern culture, the Civil War, and Reconstruction policies and presents them using the smeared lens of the Lost Cause. His rhetoric in this work is typical of the kind presented in order to make Southerners feel good about their ancestors being traitors to the Union over 160 years ago. If you want a good laugh I recommend this book, but if you are a serious researcher and writer looking for solid information regarding the Civil War and Southern culture, I would stay away from anything that this author has to say about them.
March 13, 2021
Clint Johnson a native Floridian describes the culture of the Southern States and the many contributions from residents of Southern states. Johnson also accurately describes the treatment of Black Americans in the Northern States. This book has many quotes from individuals that are regarded as Union/American heros that will make your jaw drop. That was never taught to me in my American history courses.
January 5, 2021
A fun read. Lots of information generally known about the South and what lead to the "War between the States". Very interesting to see it from a different perspective and makes it easier to understand the complexity of the situation rather than the bleak black and white explanation that today's mass media would have you believe.
July 20, 2022
Well-written and well-researched book of facts presented in a bold, no-holds-barred fashion with equally bold commentary by the author. This book is NOT for the thinned-skinned reader who has ascribed to the mentality of ignoring facts in lieu of holding on to fiction and claiming it as factual information instead. Anyone interested in history should read this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews