Reconstructing Appalachia: The Civil War's Aftermath

New Directions in Southern History

by Andrew L. Slap (editor)

Families, communities, and the nation itself were irretrievably altered by the Civil War and the subsequent societal transformations of the nineteenth century. The repercussions of the war incited a broad range of unique problems in Appalachia, including political dynamics, racial prejudices, and the regional economy. Andrew L. Slap's anthology Reconstructing Appalachia reveals life in Appalachia after the ravages of the Civil War, an unexplored area that has left a void in historical literature. Addressing a gap in the chronicles of our nation, this vital anthology explores little-known aspects of history with a particular focus on the Reconstruction and post-Reconstruction periods. Acclaimed scholars John C. Inscoe, Gordon B. McKinney, and Ken Fones-Wolf are joined by up-and-comers like Mary Ella Engel, Anne E. Marshall, and Kyle Osborn in a unique collection of essays investigating postwar Appalachia with clarity and precision. Featuring a broad geographic focus, these compelling essays cover postwar events in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. This approach provides an intimate portrait of Appalachia as a diverse collection of communities where the values of place and family are of crucial importance.Highlighting a wide array of topics including racial reconciliation, tension between former Unionists and Confederates, the evolution of post--Civil War memory, and altered perceptions of race, gender, and economic status, Reconstructing Appalachia is a timely and essential study of a region rich in heritage and tradition.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Civil War

390 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Holly]

Confession: I checked out this book from the library when I was way too busy to read it. It went back before I had a chance to crack it open. But I am going to read it soon's I'm on vacation.

[Crysta]

I am an Appalachian, and I love American history. But this is a book by historians, not historical non-fiction writers. It is academic, and dry. I tried, but couldn't get through the introduction without feeling my eyelids get heavy.