The Palmetto State: The Making of Modern South Carolina

by Jack Bass, W. Scott Poole

As South Carolina enters into the fourth century of its storied existence, the state's captivating, colorful, and controversial history continues to warrant fresh explorations. In this sweeping story of defining episodes in the state's history, accomplished Southern historians Jack Bass and W. Scott Poole trace the key importance of race relations, historical memory, and cultural life in the progress of the Palmetto State from its colonial inception to its present incarnation. The authors bring a strong emphasis on the modern era to their briskly paced narrative, which advances work begun by Bass in his germinal investigation Porgy Comes South Carolina after Three Hundred Years to further our understanding of the state as it now exists. Bass and Poole focus on three central themes--divisions of race and class, adherence to historical memory, and the interconnected strands of economic, social, and political flux--as they illustrate how these threads manifest themselves time and again across the rich tapestry of the South Carolina experience. The authors explore the centrality of race relations, both subtle and direct, in the state's development from the first settlement of Charles Towne to the contemporary political and economic landscape. The tragic histories of slavery and segregation and the struggles to end each in its era have defined much of the state's legacy. The authors argue that conflicts over race continue to influence historical memory in the state, most especially in still-evolving memories--nostalgic for some and ignominious for others--of the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. And they find throughout the state's history a strong role for religion in shaping reaction to changing circumstances. In the discussion of contemporary South Carolina that makes up the majority of this volume, the authors delineate the state's remarkable transformation in the mid-twentieth century, during which a combination of powerful elements blended together through a dynamism fueled by the twin forces of continuity and change. Bass and Poole map the ways through which hard-won economic and civil rights advancements, a succession of progressive state leaders, and federal court mandates operated in tandem to bring a largely peaceful end to the Jim Crow era in South Carolina, in stark contrast to the violence wrought elsewhere in the South.

Genres: History, American History

231 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 2009

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me some time to finish. Too many other books coming into my radar.
A wonderful read of South Carolina's recent history. He somewhat briefly touches on the history up to reconstruction, which is necessary for understanding current race relations. Most of the book seems focused on the issue of race, but that is South Carolina for you.

After finishing this book, I gained an appreciation for what we have in this state of mine. The things I love did not come easily but at great expense.

The author takes a more Liberal perspective on interpretation of these historical matters. But then again, all tellings are subjective to some degree.

My one "complaint" is when he makes a villain out the the Presbyterian preacher who 'support' slavery, as the author interprets. That struck me as odd, so I did my own digging. Come to find out, this preacher was passionate about living out the Bible in the best possible way, even if it meant in troubling times. Sure, he probably took the interpretation of slaves serving their master a bit too far. But this preacher was not a hard and fast supporter of slavery. He, like many preachers, was struggling with the issue and just wanted to know how best to lead his people and serve these folk in the unfortunate position of slavery.

[Justinmmoffitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has an odd trajectory. The beginning is a bit boring but that may stem from my lack of interest in the subject. Meanwhile, the middle section is enthralling as Bass (and Nelson) do a great job documenting the political chaos of the state and how SC was different during the Civil Rights Era than other Southern states.

Then there's a really strange chapter about the development of Myrtle Beach. I suppose you can't leave out that area in a book on SC history but man is "So they developed the land" a boring thesis. (Although the parts about the Shag originating out of a specific bar was quite interesting.)

The book gets back its rhythm only to end on some really odd chapters. There's the one on SC's development (spoiler alert: BMW was a big deal) and another on the cultural exports of SC (looking at you James Brown). Finally, the last chapter is really just a list of stuff that has happened in the state which the authors apparently couldn't organize better.

I'd give this a 3.75 if I had the capacity to be nitpicky. Definitely the kind of book you can hop around without feeling guilty about.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history of South Carolina ... unsurprising and yet also surprising how deeply slavery and Jim Crow have twisted the state's history and how relentlessly white supremacy drove so many things that happened there.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This history of South Carolina is the first I've read which contains a frank and progressive treatment of the evolution of race relations in the state. It is very well written, and devoid of the nostalgia and Old South apologism I've found in other histories of my native state. The book is very well written, not at all dry, and contains an enormous amount for such a relatively short work. Highly recommended. (It also has a picture of my sister, her family, and my father on page 200!)

[Dickie]

An interesting point of view that may be valid. The authors make some assumptions that I would not have made but those are relatively minor issues. While I enjoyed reading it, I wouldn't highly recommend or discourage reading it. I am left feeling ambivalent after reading this book.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book that instilled an extra bit of pride in this Southern-raised girl.

[Alan Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A relatively easy introduction to the state's history for a newcomer. Have names and stories to place with the landscape. Opens the door to more specialized treatments.