Lost Revolutions: The South in the 1950s

by Pete Daniel

This sweeping work of cultural history explores a time of startling turbulence and change in the South, years that have often been dismissed as placid and dull. In the wake of World War II, southerners anticipated a peaceful and prosperous future, but as Pete Daniel demonstrates, the road into the 1950s took some unexpected turns.

Daniel chronicles the myriad forces that turned the world southerners had known upside down in the postwar period. In chapters that explore such subjects as the civil rights movement, segregation, and school integration; the breakdown of traditional agriculture and the ensuing rural-urban migration; gay and lesbian life; and the emergence of rock 'n' roll music and stock car racing, as well as the triumph of working-class culture, he reveals that the 1950s South was a place with the potential for revolutionary change.

In the end, however, the chance for significant transformation was squandered, Daniel argues. One can only imagine how different southern history might have been if politicians, the press, the clergy, and local leaders had supported democratic reforms that bestowed full citizenship on African Americans--and how little would have been accomplished if a handful of blacks and whites had not taken risks to bring about the changes that did come.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Music

392 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2000

Reviews

[Tony Siciliano · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some informative information disguised by terrible writing that does not engage the reader in any way. This reads like a grad school thesis. Removing this from my list with a DNR note.

[Sophie Wieland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of Daniel's arguments were interesting and clearly laid out. Each chapter covered a different facet of the south in the 1950s, which I appreciated, but as may just be my opinion on historical nonfiction, I think his thoughts could have been presented in a slightly leaner format. (I also never really wanted to read such a deep delve into NASCAR, though I did enjoy the delve into gender studies.)

[David Blankenship · Rating 4 out of 5]

This social history of the 1950s south is three separate, but related, stories. Part 1, which is the least interesting and convincing, was how the south changed in its agricultural model due to pressure from federal bureaucracy. The immediate interests of poor whites and blacks was sacrificed for the wants of what would become agribusiness. Part 2 was about how racing and music impacted traditional culture and made it 'lowdown'. Part 3 was a detailed and harrowing account of the conflicts between segregationists and integrationists. While this story has been told many times, it is still a fascinating and sad story of hatred and courage, fear and lost opportunities.

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written with a lot of emotion - not always useful in making the author's point, but sometimes providing a layer of depth - and the sources used in the book are incredibly powerful and well-compiled. Overall it's a fascinating read, particularly the history of the USDA and the changes in Southern agribusiness following World War II.

[Tom Darrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid social history. Daniel looks at the well-known political elements of the 1950s... the Civil Rights movement, protests and incorporates a lot of new information about how the life of your average southerner changed... right down to the music they listened to and the sports they watched.

[variablestar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it a 3, but really my rating would be more 2.5, in that I found it interesting, but it was just okay to read, and while the information was interesting and informative the prose was somewhat dry.

[Sean Chick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seemed more like a series of articles strung together, but some of those articles are top notch.