Defending Dixie: Essays in Southern History and Culture

by Clyde N. Wilson, Thomas H. Landess (Introduction)

Defending Dixie is a selection from Dr. Clyde Wilson's voluminous writings about the South - past, present, and future - over a period of more than thirty years. The admiring view of Dixie presented here is rare at the present day. Dr. Wilson writes from a belief that the South is a living and long-lasting reality that continues to offer a valuable alternative vision to Americans of the 21st century. More importantly, as he says of Dixie, "there are plenty of good people who love her still."

Genres: History

383 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2005

About the author

Clyde Norman Wilson is professor of history emeritus from the University of South Carolina. He is a recipient of the Bostick Prize for Contributions to South Carolina Letters and of the first annual Randolph Society Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also the M.E. Bradford distinguished chair of the Abbeville Institute.

Reviews

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone seeking an objective view of the misunderstood and often slandered southern province of the federal leviathan. If you would like a free sample, Wilson has a great archive of essays available here: http://lewrockwell.com/wilson/wilson-...

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exceptional collection of essays. The first five chapters are primarily history, and the remaining four chapters concern sectional differences, Southern authors, and the modern South. Dr. Wilson shows that he is not only a careful and honest historian, but that he is a very good wordsmith, as well. Most of the essays are in the form of book reviews and the reviews are extremely well written. I made a bibliographical list of books I want to read just from reading Dr. Wilson's bibliographic essays. There are a few exceptional essays on Faulkner and M.E. Bradford that in themselves justify this book. Overall, this was a very well written and well organized book. Dr. Wilson packs an amazing amount of information in each essay, while reminding us that history is written by the winners, and that history is not always correct. I'm glad that I'm from such a resilient part of the nation and this book reminds me that we have a rich culture and heritage.

[Matt Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a welcomed change from the normal stuff one reads about Southern culture. It may come across as self-righteous to some but that's only if you're not used to one defending one's heritage. The essays vary in substance, and many of them are book reviews but Professor Wilson is an enjoyable writer and a breath of fresh air for those who love the South and Southern history.

[Jonathan]

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