About the book
In this book, Bryant Simon brings to life the politics of white South Carolina millhands during the first half of the twentieth century. His revealing and moving account explores how this group of southern laborers thought about and participated in politics and public power.
Taking a broad view of politics, Simon looks at laborers as they engaged in political activity in many venues — at the polling station, on front porches, and on the shop floor — and examines their political involvement at the local, state, and national levels. He describes the campaign styles and rhetoric of such politicians as Coleman Blease and Olin Johnston (himself a former millhand), who eagerly sought the workers' votes. He draws a detailed picture of mill workers casting ballots, carrying placards, marching on the state capital, writing to lawmakers, and picketing factories. These millhands' politics reflected their public and private thoughts about whiteness and blackness,
war and the New Deal, democracy and justice, gender and sexuality, class relations and consumption.
Ultimately, the people depicted here are neither romanticized nor dismissed as the stereotypically racist and uneducated “rednecks” found in many accounts of southern politics. Southern workers understood the political and social forces that shaped their lives, argues Simon, and they developed
complex political strategies to deal with those forces.
Editions of A Fabric of Defeat
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807824016
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807847046
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890869654
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807864494
Read an Excerpt
In this book, Bryant Simon brings to life the politics of white South Carolina millhands during the first half of the twentieth century. His revealing and moving account explores how this group of southern laborers thought about and participated in politics and public power.
Taking a broad view of politics, Simon looks at laborers as they engaged in political activity in many venues — at the polling station, on front porches, and on the shop floor — and examines their political involvement at the local, state, and national levels. He describes the campaign styles and rhetoric of such politicians as Coleman Blease and Olin Johnston (himself a former millhand), who eagerly sought the workers' votes. He draws a detailed picture of mill workers casting ballots, carrying placards, marching on the state capital, writing to lawmakers, and picketing factories. These millhands' politics reflected their public and private thoughts about whiteness and blackness,
war and the New Deal, democracy and justice, gender and sexuality, class relations and consumption.
Ultimately, the people depicted here are neither romanticized nor dismissed as the stereotypically racist and uneducated “rednecks” found in many accounts of southern politics. Southern workers understood the political and social forces that shaped their lives, argues Simon, and they developed
complex political strategies to deal with those forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Fabric of Defeat about?
In this book, Bryant Simon brings to life the politics of white South Carolina millhands during the first half of the twentieth century. His revealing and moving account explores how this group of southern laborers thought about and participated in politics and public power.
Taking a broad view of politics, Simon looks at laborers as they engaged in political activity in many venues — at the polling station, on front porches, and on the shop floor — and examines their political involvement at the local, state, and national levels. He describes the campaign styles and rhetoric of such politicians as Coleman Blease and Olin Johnston (himself a former millhand), who eagerly sought the workers' votes. He draws a detailed picture of mill workers casting ballots, carrying placards, marching on the state capital, writing to lawmakers, and picketing factories. These millhands' politics reflected their public and private thoughts about whiteness and blackness,
war and the New Deal, democracy and justice, gender and sexuality, class relations and consumption.
Ultimately, the people depicted here are neither romanticized nor dismissed as the stereotypically racist and uneducated “rednecks” found in many accounts of southern politics. Southern workers understood the political and social forces that shaped their lives, argues Simon, and they developed
complex political strategies to deal with those forces.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in A Fabric of Defeat?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of A Fabric of Defeat?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807824016
How long is A Fabric of Defeat and how many pages does it have?
A Fabric of Defeat has 368 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book A Fabric of Defeat?
Bryant Simon
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
A Fabric of Defeat is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807824016) and paperback(ISBN 9780807847046) and ebook(ISBN 9798890869654) and ebook(ISBN 9780807864494)
Where can I buy A Fabric of Defeat online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy A Fabric of Defeat from below
Where can I buy A Fabric of Defeat?