American South, The: A History, Volume 2, From Reconstruction to the Present, Fifth Edition

by William J. Cooper Jr., Thomas E. Terrill, Christopher Childers

In The American South: A History, Fifth Edition, William J. Cooper, Jr. and Thomas E. Terrill demonstrate their belief that it is impossible to divorce the history of the South from the history of the United States. The authors' analysis underscores the complex interaction between the South as a distinct region and the South as an inescapable part of America. Cooper and Terrill show how the resulting tension has often propelled section and nation toward collision. In supporting their thesis, the authors draw on the tremendous amount of profoundly new scholarship in Southern history. Each volume includes a substantial bibliographical essay-completely updated for this edition-which provides the reader with a guide to literature on the history of the South. This volume contains updated chapters, and tables.

Genres: History

596 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2016

About the author

WILLIAM J. COOPER, JR., is Boyd Professor of History at Louisiana State University and a past president of the Southern Historical Association. He was born in Kingstree, South Carolina, and received his AB from Princeton and his PhD from the Johns Hopkins University. He has been a member of the LSU faculty since 1980 and is the author of The Conservative Regime: South Carolina, 1877-1890; The South and the Politics of Slavery, 1816-1856; Liberty and Slavery: Southern Politics to 1860; Jefferson Davis, American; and coauthor of The American South: A History. He lives in Baton Rouge.

Reviews

[Ivy Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The American South: A History by William J. Cooper is, hands down, one of the most important books I’ve ever read as someone who calls the South home. I first picked it up in college as required reading, and while I could’ve easily skimped through it, I ended up completely absorbed. It’s an incredibly informative and well-researched exploration of the South’s history—no fluff, just straight facts about the region’s complicated and often tumultuous past.

Cooper doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff, but he also takes the time to highlight the unique cultural and social dynamics that make the South, well, the South. Whether you’re a Southerner or simply fascinated by the region’s history, this book is essential. It gave me a deeper understanding of the place I grew up in and, frankly, a bit of pride for the complexity and resilience embedded in Southern history. If you’re looking for a comprehensive, engaging take on the American South, this book is a must-read!