Radicalism in the South since Reconstruction

Reviews / Votes

'A welcome contribution to the growing body of revisionist scholarship influenced by postmodernism. The multidisciplinary essays do not belong to the traditional schools of either consensus or conflict history, but rather adopt the perspective of diversity without boundaries. Focusing on diversity within the region, they challenge the conventional notion of a South unified by reactionary ideology_As these essays clearly show, American history was changed by homegrown southern radicals who dared to dream and become the missionaries for a new social order.'- Ronald L. Lewis, Stuart and Joyce Robbins Chair in History, West Virginia University, USA 'A stunning, dazzling and, ultimately, insightful collection of essays which reaffirms the simple fact that those who wish to understand the U.S. must understand the U.S. South_and those who wish to understand the U.S. South must read this book.' -Gerald Horne, author of Black and Brown: African-Americans and the Mexican Revolution, 1910-1920 'This book uncovers some lost history of radical political activity in the South, dispelling the image of the South as conservative, provincial and unconcerned with the problems of poverty, inequality, unemployment which plagued the region. Thanks to Smethurst, Green, and Rubin for disturbing our ideas of the South and adding to our knowledge of Southern politics and history.'- Helen Matthews Lewis, author of Mountain Sisters: From Convent to Community in Appalachia<'Radicalism in the South is a scintillating blend of historical narrative, biography, reminiscence, primary materials, cultural studies, and literary criticism. By thoughtfully combining fresh source materials and perspectives, the volume presents the political and cultural terrain of the post-Reconstruction South as we have seldom seen it_from the angle of labor, the Left, cultural workers, anti-racist activists, and more. The result is an indispensable addition to the growing collection of works that encourage the reconsideration of a region too often shrouded in clichés and myths.'- Alan Wald, Professor, Program in American Culture, University of Michigan, USA and author of Trinity of Passion: The U.S. Literary Left and the Anti-fascist Crusade