A New History of the American South

“An important book for anyone interested in Southern history. . . . The book’s contributors brilliantly integrate the contents of their separate chapters, each on a distinct era, into a taut, analytical narrative. Throughout, their voices and styles cohere in striking fashion. . . . To learn of the South’s past as it is viewed today by leading historians, this is the book to read.”—Kirkus Reviews (STARRED review)

“A multifaceted narrative of the Southern United States, from histories of the African diaspora and Indigenous Americans to cultural, economic and environmental trends.”—New York Times Book Review

“A highly original, landmark work.”—Journal of American History

“A blockbuster collection [that] excels at puncturing [the many caricatures of the South] . . . . the South that emerges from A New History of the American South is fresh and exciting in its unfamiliarity.”—Scott W. Stern, The New Republic

“The thought-provoking and expert essays of represent expansive views of Southern history—beyond the period-focused notions of the region that often appear in history and literature. . . . Drawing parallels between the past and present, [these essays] eschew easy narratives to capture the contradictions of Southern life.”—Foreword Reviews

“This ambitious, collaborative narrative immerses readers in histories of the South’s diverse inhabitants. . . . What emerges is a multi-cultural, complex view of the South as ever-changing and interconnected: regionally, nationally, and internationally.”—North Carolina Historical Review

“A New History of the American South will appeal to readers of history, professional historians, and educators. . . . This collection is a valuable addition to the historiography of the American South, focusing on past interpretations and showing changes and new approaches over time.”—Journal of the Civil War Era

“The open-ended nature of these . . . essays reveals one important fact: we have not yet come to the end of southern history. . . . Not only have [the authors] provided us with a powerful new overview of the southern past (and a great bibliography, too!), but they have also reminded us that it is a history worth telling.”—Journal of Southern History

“Nuanced and scholarly. . . . A New History of the American South is certain to provide valuable insights for scholarly audiences. . . . I hope the book reaches the wider public audience it deserves, especially in this fraught historical moment.”—Journal of African American History

"Distinguished contributors or no, multi-authored titles are rarely noted for their cohesiveness. Happily, A New History of the American South avoids this pitfall and the pieces flow well together. The contributors avoid jargon and other academic ills, and their writing is consistently good and accessible. . . A necessary book, now more than ever.”—Alabama Review