Stories of the South

Race and the Reconstruction of Southern Identity, 1865-1915

By K. Stephen Prince | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

In the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, the character of the South, and even its persistence as a distinct region, was an open question. During Reconstruction, the North assumed significant power to redefine the South, imagining a region rebuilt and modeled on northern society. The white South actively resisted these efforts, battling the legal strictures of Reconstruction on the ground. Meanwhile, white southern storytellers worked to recast the South’s image, romanticizing the Lost Cause and heralding the birth of a New South. In Stories of the South, K. Stephen Prince argues that this cultural production was as important as political competition and economic striving in turning the South and the nation away from the egalitarian promises of Reconstruction and toward Jim Crow.

Examining novels, minstrel songs, travel brochures, illustrations, oratory, and other cultural artifacts produced in the half century following the Civil War, Prince demonstrates the centrality of popular culture to the reconstruction of southern identity, shedding new light on the complicity of the North in the retreat from the possibility of racial democracy.

Editions of Stories of the South

Hardcover
ISBN 9781469614182
Paperback
ISBN 9781469627281
EBook
ISBN 9781469615561
EBook
ISBN 9781469614199
EBook
ISBN 9798890842435
PDF
ISBN 9798890842428

Read an Excerpt

In the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, the character of the South, and even its persistence as a distinct region, was an open question. During Reconstruction, the North assumed significant power to redefine the South, imagining a region rebuilt and modeled on northern society. The white South actively resisted these efforts, battling the legal strictures of Reconstruction on the ground. Meanwhile, white southern storytellers worked to recast the South’s image, romanticizing the Lost Cause and heralding the birth of a New South. In Stories of the South, K. Stephen Prince argues that this cultural production was as important as political competition and economic striving in turning the South and the nation away from the egalitarian promises of Reconstruction and toward Jim Crow.

Examining novels, minstrel songs, travel brochures, illustrations, oratory, and other cultural artifacts produced in the half century following the Civil War, Prince demonstrates the centrality of popular culture to the reconstruction of southern identity, shedding new light on the complicity of the North in the retreat from the possibility of racial democracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stories of the South about?

In the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, the character of the South, and even its persistence as a distinct region, was an open question. During Reconstruction, the North assumed significant power to redefine the South, imagining a region rebuilt and modeled on northern society. The white South actively resisted these efforts, battling the legal strictures of Reconstruction on the ground. Meanwhile, white southern storytellers worked to recast the South’s image, romanticizing the Lost Cause and heralding the birth of a New South. In Stories of the South, K. Stephen Prince argues that this cultural production was as important as political competition and economic striving in turning the South and the nation away from the egalitarian promises of Reconstruction and toward Jim Crow.

Examining novels, minstrel songs, travel brochures, illustrations, oratory, and other cultural artifacts produced in the half century following the Civil War, Prince demonstrates the centrality of popular culture to the reconstruction of southern identity, shedding new light on the complicity of the North in the retreat from the possibility of racial democracy.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Stories of the South?

Lifestyle, Hobbies and Leisure > Local and family history, nostalgia > Local history

Where can I read a sample of Stories of the South?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469614182

How long is Stories of the South and how many pages does it have?

Stories of the South has 336 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Stories of the South?

K. Stephen Prince

Who is the Publisher of the book Stories of the South?

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Stories of the South is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469614182) and paperback(ISBN 9781469627281) and ebook(ISBN 9781469615561) and ebook(ISBN 9781469614199) and ebook(ISBN 9798890842435) and pdf(ISBN 9798890842428)

Where can I buy Stories of the South online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Stories of the South from below

Where can I buy Stories of the South?