The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture

“More of a good thing, well timed, and in a more accessible package.” — The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society

“Will appeal to a broad range of scholars, students, and those interested in the southern environment.” — Journal of Mississippi History

“A fascinating read on the broad range of natural features that define our regions.” — Our State

“Almost all the essays are sufficiently self-contained to provide a good overview, gently crafted to engage someone with only a beginner’s knowledge, of topics often breezed past in college textbooks — an ideal combination for an encyclopedia.” — Western Folklore

“Both instructive and entertaining — a job well done.” — The North Carolina Historical Review

“After years of neglect, Melosi and others have reestablished the southern environment as a central theme in the region’s history. Like grits in the pantry, this volume will be a staple for those who hunger to comprehend basic concepts. And like grits with breakfast, the essays are smooth and satisfying.” — Craig E. Colten, Carl O. Sauer Professor of Geography, Louisiana State University

“From air-conditioning to magnolias to wetlands, this engrossing volume of The New Encyclopedia renders the American South both tactile and mythic, enchanting and worrisome.” — Jack Temple Kirby, author of Mockingbird Song: Ecological Landscapes of the South

“Brilliantly conceived and executed, this intriguing volume is chock-full of insights into the complicated relationships between southerners and the natural world. From alligators, armadillos, and air-conditioning to water pollution, wetlands, and zebra mussels — it’s all here. Anyone interested in the South should keep a copy on their bookshelf or, better yet, by their bedside or kitchen table where it can be easily accessed for ready reference or just a quick and entertaining read.” — Timothy Silver, Appalachian State University, author of Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains: An Environmental History of the Highest Peaks in Eastern America