Arkansas/Arkansaw: How Bear Hunters, Hillbillies, and Good Olâ?? Boys Defined a State

by Brooks Blevins

What do Scott Joplin, John Grisham, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Maya Angelou, Brooks Robinson, Helen Gurley Brown, Johnny Cash, Alan Ladd, and Sonny Boy Williamson have in common? They’re all Arkansans. What do hillbillies, rednecks, slow trains, bare feet, moonshine, and double-wides have in common? For many in America these represent Arkansas more than any Arkansas success stories do. In 1931 H. L. Mencken described AR (not AK, folks) as the “apex of moronia.” While, in 1942 a Time magazine article said Arkansas had “developed a mass inferiority complex unique in American history.” Arkansas/Arkansaw is the first book to explain how Arkansas’s image began and how the popular culture stereotypes have been perpetuated and altered through succeeding generations. Brooks Blevins argues that the image has not always been a bad one. He discusses travel accounts, literature, radio programs, movies, and television shows that give a very positive image of the Natural State. From territorial accounts of the Creole inhabitants of the Mississippi River Valley to national derision of the state’s triple-wide governor’s mansion to Li’l Abner, the Beverly Hillbillies, and Slingblade, Blevins leads readers on an entertaining and insightful tour through more than two centuries of the idea of Arkansas. One discovers along the way how one state becomes simultaneously a punch line and a source of admiration for progressives and social critics alike.
Winner, 2011 Ragsdale Award

Genres: History, Cultural

300 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Brooks Blevins is the Noel Boyd Professor of Ozarks Studies at Missouri State University.

Reviews

[Nate Jordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most interesting cultural histories I’ve ever read. And after living in the Ozarks for a spell, I can say I’ve witnessed firsthand the author’s research and observations about this region, and its effects on the image, reputation, and experience of the state—both from within and without—to be quite true and relevant to the native and the visitor, the insider and the outsider. As the title suggests, this state is a land of dualities and contradictions; a state that would like to distance itself from its cultural stereotypes, but yet resolutely defends and promotes them. At the same time there is an ugly side to the culture as there is a romantic side, just as there are things within the culture that might be better served to change while there are some aspects that should be retained and valued. Perhaps the only way to truly understand this region is to experience it. To sum up that experience, I’ll quote the author: “It’s all in how you look at it.”

[Christian Olsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed what this book was about. It detailed Arkansas’ culture and how we earned the reputation that we have. It became apparent how Arkansas culture has influenced many of my friends personalities, and my own, although I am not a native.

The book felt dry and repetitive in places, which made it a tough book to finish. I would recommend this to anyone who is deeply interested in Arkansas history, but not an easy read.

[Nathan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I say, breed up a race of razorbacks, as the Texans are doing with their longhorns; fire the old caplock muzzle-loader at the neighbors once a week. Give the inquiring stranger directions to Possum Trot or Goose Ankle, and give him a sample of Uncle Rafe’s last run of corn squeezing…. If Arkansas is ever going to amount to anything, she’s got to advertise the very characteristics she’s been shushing for a hundred years” -Eugene Newsom (quoted on page 193)

Fantastic Book.

[Andrew Aggus · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content of this book is quite interesting but certainly feels repeptitive to say the least. It also leaves out practically 50%-75% of the state throughout the majority of the book, as it is extremely Ozarks-centric, which I'm sure inspired the author's "A History of the Ozarks" series. That series, I could not recommend more. This book, meh.

[Tiffany Rauch-Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

completely fascinating read about the history of the hillbilly association with Arkansas. as an Arkansan I learned some history about the culture within the state I never knew and recognized a lot about myself and other Arkansans in how we approach the outside world. highly recommended!!!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, detailed history of how Arkansas aquired its hillbilly reputation and inferiority complex. The book is detailed and academic, not an easy read, but well worth the effort for those of us interested in all things Arkansas.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, repetitive. I'm only giving this book one star because of the attempt of the author to break through Arkansas stereotypes.