Emancipation and Reconstruction

by Michael Perman

An adept distillation of the scholarship that has been produced since the 1950s-thoughtfully reorganized and updated to include a consideration of new works that have appeared since 1987-this new edition of Michael Perman's highly popular book examines the ways in which historians have interpreted what was perhaps the largest program of domestic reform undertaken in the history of the United States. In addition to accessing the impact of what might best be described as a maturation of the Revisionist history of Emancipation and Reconstruction, Perman introduces previously neglected areas of interest that have assumed new significance, such as the nature of the southern labor system after slavery and the role of African Americans in Reconstruction politics. The result is a lucid portrait of the post-Civil War years, one reluctant to employ such simplistic and judgemental terms as success or failure in assessing the complex problems of rebuilding the nation.

Genres: History

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Michael Perman is professor of history emeritus at the University of Illinois-Chicago. He earned his B.A. in 1963 at Hertford College, Oxford University, his M.A. in 1965 at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1965 and his doctorate at the University of Chicago in 1969.

Reviews

[Mike Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward history of what happened and why. The source for teachers and students who need a working base for learning and some discussion. Really good.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Examines the period of history after the Civil War and attempts to explain the different perspectives of how to rebuild the south and what part in society blacks would play. Scholarly, the resources used are often primary and some pictures give insight to the time period, dress and individuals involved. Short book packed with lots of information.

[Shain Thomas]

I am currently reading this book for a UNT history course on politics and political parties in the United States.