There is a real need for a volume that sums up the state of the south at the beginning of the twenty-first century, and this book provides that service. The American South in the Twentieth Century offers readers concise, thoughtful, informed evaluations of different aspects of the south's convoluted and sometimes counterintuitive history during a century that wrought very significant changes in the region. This book is a significant contribution to southern history.

—John B. Boles, editor of Shapers of Southern History: Autobiographical Reflections

A wonderful collection of essays that will appeal to a broad audience of readers.

—Don Doyle, author of Nations Divided: America, Italy, and the Southern Question

Outstanding essays . . . A thoughtful survey of recent southern history. Painted in broad strokes, this compilation is recommended not only for students of southern history, but for readers interested in regional studies, as well as in cultural identity and change. However, those interested in more specific topics—race, education, women's studies, sports, music—will also find much in this collection to appreciate.

—Louisiana History

Adeptly weaves interconnected histories into the larger regional and national narratives . . . As the United States moves, arguably, toward a national culture, distinct regions and cultures undergo identity crises. The South is no exception. Therefore, southern historians must keep abreast of the shifting themes in the field. The American South in the Twentieth Century is an essential tool in that endeavor.

—North Carolina Historical Review

An engaging read . . . The American South in the Twentieth Century will appeal to a diverse group of readers.

—Spartanburg Herald-Journal

[A] remarkable collection of essays . . . Accessibly written . . . Undergraduates will appreciate the accessibility of the essays. General audiences will enjoy the breadth of topics and the lack of daunting academic folderol. . . . The American South in the Twentieth Century serves as a useful and elegant reminder of the fascinating, vibrant century just past while at the same time providing a useful reminder that the south is still changing even as its historiography does as well.

—History: Reviews of New Books

Few other current works present such a comprehensive collection of leading historical scholarship on the South, so for those who want a good overview of the best current work in southern history, this book is indispensable.

—Alabama Review

Taken as a whole, the pieces are thoughtful, illuminating, and engaging, covering hot topics in history, politics, literature, and religion. . . . Several essays, however, rise above the rest in either the new (at least to me) way in which they approach a topic or in their combination of excellent scholarship—a trait all the essays share—with an elevated level of style and composition.

—Southern Arts Journal