The Americanization of Dixie: the Southernization of America

by John Egerton

226 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now a dated book, this journalist's view of the changing South is a thorough and often poignant look at the South of 1974. It is informative to read something from this era, to see where Egerton nailed it and where he didn't. In my view, he did not seem to see the coming wave of extreme conservatism that would steel its grip on the South and expand it to the entire nation. On the other hand, his snapshot of the time and his sense of the issues at stake was right on. For those with ears to hear, this book has not lost its relevance. Still, it is unlikely that it will be widely read in the future. It has already fallen victim to the tyranny of the present.

[Foster Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic of Southern studies, wish I had read it sooner. Excellent coverage of a broad variety of subject matter in most of the chapters. Two of the chapters, though, were too heavily dependent on one example narrative: industry and cities. Yet, very well-written and thorough.