The Southern Way of Life

Meanings of Culture and Civilization in the American South

By Charles Reagan Wilson | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

How does one begin to understand the idea of a distinctive southern way of life—a concept as enduring as it is disputed? In this examination of the American South in national and global contexts, celebrated historian Charles Reagan Wilson assesses how diverse communities of southerners have sought to define the region’s identity. Surveying three centuries of southern regional consciousness across many genres, disciplines, and cultural strains, Wilson considers and challenges prior presentations of the region, advancing a vision of southern culture that has always been plural, dynamic, and complicated by race and class.

Structured in three parts, The Southern Way of Life takes readers on a journey from the colonial era to the present, from when complex ideas of “southern civilization” rooted in slaveholding and agrarianism dominated to the twenty-first-century rise of a modern, multicultural “southern living.” As Wilson shows, there is no singular or essential South but rather a rich tapestry woven with contestations, contingencies, and change.

Editions of The Southern Way of Life

Hardcover
ISBN 9781469664989
EBook
ISBN 9781469665009
EBook
ISBN 9798890871534
EBook
ISBN 9781469664996
PDF
ISBN 9798890871527

Read an Excerpt

How does one begin to understand the idea of a distinctive southern way of life—a concept as enduring as it is disputed? In this examination of the American South in national and global contexts, celebrated historian Charles Reagan Wilson assesses how diverse communities of southerners have sought to define the region’s identity. Surveying three centuries of southern regional consciousness across many genres, disciplines, and cultural strains, Wilson considers and challenges prior presentations of the region, advancing a vision of southern culture that has always been plural, dynamic, and complicated by race and class.

Structured in three parts, The Southern Way of Life takes readers on a journey from the colonial era to the present, from when complex ideas of “southern civilization” rooted in slaveholding and agrarianism dominated to the twenty-first-century rise of a modern, multicultural “southern living.” As Wilson shows, there is no singular or essential South but rather a rich tapestry woven with contestations, contingencies, and change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Southern Way of Life about?

How does one begin to understand the idea of a distinctive southern way of life—a concept as enduring as it is disputed? In this examination of the American South in national and global contexts, celebrated historian Charles Reagan Wilson assesses how diverse communities of southerners have sought to define the region’s identity. Surveying three centuries of southern regional consciousness across many genres, disciplines, and cultural strains, Wilson considers and challenges prior presentations of the region, advancing a vision of southern culture that has always been plural, dynamic, and complicated by race and class.

Structured in three parts, The Southern Way of Life takes readers on a journey from the colonial era to the present, from when complex ideas of “southern civilization” rooted in slaveholding and agrarianism dominated to the twenty-first-century rise of a modern, multicultural “southern living.” As Wilson shows, there is no singular or essential South but rather a rich tapestry woven with contestations, contingencies, and change.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Southern Way of Life?

History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas

Where can I read a sample of The Southern Way of Life?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469664989

How long is The Southern Way of Life and how many pages does it have?

The Southern Way of Life has 616 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Southern Way of Life?

Charles Reagan Wilson

Who is the Publisher of the book The Southern Way of Life?

The University of North Carolina Press

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

The Southern Way of Life is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469664989) and ebook(ISBN 9781469665009) and ebook(ISBN 9798890871534) and ebook(ISBN 9781469664996) and pdf(ISBN 9798890871527)

Where can I buy The Southern Way of Life online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy The Southern Way of Life?