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Alabama: The Making of an American State
A thorough, accessible, and heavily illustrated history of Alabama
The Making of an American State is itself a watershed event in the long and storied history of the state of Alabama. Here, presented for the first time ever in a single, magnificently illustrated volume, Edwin C. Bridges conveys the magisterial sweep of Alabama’s rich, difficult, and remarkable history with verve, eloquence, and an unblinking eye.
From Alabama’s earliest fossil records to its settlement by Native Americans and later by European settlers and African slaves, from its territorial birth pangs and statehood through the upheavals of the Civil War and the civil rights movement, Bridges makes evident in clear, direct storytelling the unique social, political, economic, and cultural forces that have indelibly shaped this historically rich and unique American region.
Illustrated lavishly with maps, archival photographs, and archaeological artifacts, as well as art works, portraiture, and specimens of Alabama craftsmanship—many never before published— The Making of an American State makes evident as rarely seen before Alabama’s most significant struggles, conflicts, achievements, and developments.
Drawn from decades of research and the deep archival holdings of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, this volume will be the definitive resource for decades to come for anyone seeking a broad understanding of Alabama’s evolving legacy.
The Making of an American State is itself a watershed event in the long and storied history of the state of Alabama. Here, presented for the first time ever in a single, magnificently illustrated volume, Edwin C. Bridges conveys the magisterial sweep of Alabama’s rich, difficult, and remarkable history with verve, eloquence, and an unblinking eye.
From Alabama’s earliest fossil records to its settlement by Native Americans and later by European settlers and African slaves, from its territorial birth pangs and statehood through the upheavals of the Civil War and the civil rights movement, Bridges makes evident in clear, direct storytelling the unique social, political, economic, and cultural forces that have indelibly shaped this historically rich and unique American region.
Illustrated lavishly with maps, archival photographs, and archaeological artifacts, as well as art works, portraiture, and specimens of Alabama craftsmanship—many never before published— The Making of an American State makes evident as rarely seen before Alabama’s most significant struggles, conflicts, achievements, and developments.
Drawn from decades of research and the deep archival holdings of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, this volume will be the definitive resource for decades to come for anyone seeking a broad understanding of Alabama’s evolving legacy.
- GenresHistory
264 pages, Hardcover
Published October 25, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 3, 2017
Very helpful overview of Alabama history that's full of historic illustrations and artifacts. (I only wish there were detailed image credits.) The narrative spans from early Native American mound settlements to 2010; this isn't just college football and lost cause Civil War nostalgia. Instead, this book highlights the state's different regions and its stages of economic growth (or stagnation).
January 28, 2021
In December of 2019, the streets of Montgomery were thronged with people as the citizens of Alabama celebrated its 200th anniversary. The three years prior had been full of special events, lectures, etc themed around the history and heritage of the state; Alabama: The Making of an American State was one of the many books published during that period, offering a generously illustrated narrative history of the State from its earliest residents to the present day. A recent weekend trip exploring sites connected to the Creek War in Alabama prompted me to begin reading this for background information, and I was greatly impressed by its content and presentation.
Although a historical overview doesn’t necessarily need a thesis, Bridges offers one, arguing that Alabama has played a surprisingly central role in many of the United State’s pivotal moments. This goes well beyond the obvious roles Alabama played in the Civil War (hosting the first capital of the Confederacy, and providing 2/3rds of the South’s munitions in the latter years of the war) and the Civil Rights movement. Bridge’s account shows how Alabama’s early settlement contributed to rising tensions with the Creeks; in the intertwined conflicts of the War of 1812 & the Creek Wars, Alabama was the site of several decisive battles. The masssacre at Fort Mims by a belligerent faction of the Creeks prompted not only swift and merciless reprisal, but propelled men like Andrew Jackson into the national spotlight. Alabama led the way in creating the New South, embracing rails and industry with enthusiasm, and one of its native sons, John H. Bankhead, was instrumental in the creation of a national highway system. The 20th century story is more familiar – industrialization and wars, economic diversification, Civil Rights, the Huntsville contributions to the space race, etc.
Despite being a lifelong Alabama resident and student of history, I learned more than a few things from Bridge’s artful history. I didn’t realize how complicated the Creek wars were, for instance: they didn’t simply pit white settlers against native Creeks, but often mixed populations and people of mixed loyalties against one another. I didn’t realize how long it took the plantation oligarchy to fully establish itself, triumphing over Alabama’s far larger freeholding population. Though fiercely independent, the yeoman class’s zeal to be not dictated to often resulted in their being subtly manipulated, instead, generally to their detriment. Although the yeoman freeholders are long gone, their spirit lives on – as does their steady manipulation by both state and national politicians.
If you’re looking for a survey of Alabama history, Bridge’s work recommends itself. The narrative is easy to follow, doesn’t drift into partisan editorializing, and absolutely abounds with quality photographs.
Although a historical overview doesn’t necessarily need a thesis, Bridges offers one, arguing that Alabama has played a surprisingly central role in many of the United State’s pivotal moments. This goes well beyond the obvious roles Alabama played in the Civil War (hosting the first capital of the Confederacy, and providing 2/3rds of the South’s munitions in the latter years of the war) and the Civil Rights movement. Bridge’s account shows how Alabama’s early settlement contributed to rising tensions with the Creeks; in the intertwined conflicts of the War of 1812 & the Creek Wars, Alabama was the site of several decisive battles. The masssacre at Fort Mims by a belligerent faction of the Creeks prompted not only swift and merciless reprisal, but propelled men like Andrew Jackson into the national spotlight. Alabama led the way in creating the New South, embracing rails and industry with enthusiasm, and one of its native sons, John H. Bankhead, was instrumental in the creation of a national highway system. The 20th century story is more familiar – industrialization and wars, economic diversification, Civil Rights, the Huntsville contributions to the space race, etc.
Despite being a lifelong Alabama resident and student of history, I learned more than a few things from Bridge’s artful history. I didn’t realize how complicated the Creek wars were, for instance: they didn’t simply pit white settlers against native Creeks, but often mixed populations and people of mixed loyalties against one another. I didn’t realize how long it took the plantation oligarchy to fully establish itself, triumphing over Alabama’s far larger freeholding population. Though fiercely independent, the yeoman class’s zeal to be not dictated to often resulted in their being subtly manipulated, instead, generally to their detriment. Although the yeoman freeholders are long gone, their spirit lives on – as does their steady manipulation by both state and national politicians.
If you’re looking for a survey of Alabama history, Bridge’s work recommends itself. The narrative is easy to follow, doesn’t drift into partisan editorializing, and absolutely abounds with quality photographs.
September 15, 2019
The book offers a nice combination of pictures and narration, beginning with the earliest inhabitants of the state of Alabama, their life style and reasons for their leaving their ancestral home. The pictures are beautiful, depicting life in early Alabama. The book is authentic in descriptions of Central Al and in major scenes and characters. This is a beautiful book to display on a living room table.
March 28, 2023
Coming from a small town in New Hampshire I had only the vaguest idea of Southern history. This book filled a lot of gaps in my knowledge. Now I have a much deeper understanding of racism and political corruption than I had before. Now I understand why southerners worry so much about stuffing ballot boxes and voting rights.
The memoirs of blacks that I have read did not make the broad scope of their oppression clear, or perhaps I did not have the eyes to recognize it?
The memoirs of blacks that I have read did not make the broad scope of their oppression clear, or perhaps I did not have the eyes to recognize it?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2019
Richly illustrated, interesting, with a storyline that doesn't loose itself in details.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews