The South's Victory in the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Ongoing Struggle for the Heart of America

Creb: This is an excellent book and the Introduction was one of the most energizing and eye opening short reads I have had in a very long time. Heather Richardson describes the political structure of the pre-Civil War South as an oligarchy maintained by White Supremacy and the oppression of women. Though the North won the Civil War, the politics of the South thrived and moved West. Though we may think of the West as dominated by individualism, as in the iconic cowboy, it was actually dominated by big businesses such as railroads and mining. Though the West adopted an antigovernment philosophy, it relied heavily on federal investments for its development. The takeover of West by the pre-Civil War governing philosophy of the South lasted until the beginning of the 20th century when the more progressive policies of Teddy Roosevelt, and later by Franklin Roosevelt, became dominant. These policies included a role for government in promoting the general welfare, and particularly in funding major infrastructure projects. After WW II these policies, values, and philosophy became a national liberal consensus. Richard Nixon and Barry Goldwater were the first Republican presidential candidate to...

United States on Jan 24, 2024

JeanMarie Hinds: You don't have to be familiar with her Letters from an American to appreciate this historian's lessons, all carefully footnoted. This book is a must read TODAY! Oh, and you will never watch old Westerns on TV the same way again.

United States on Jan 18, 2024

David L. Johnson: Richardson clarifies the fundamental paradox of American politics --- of American life. We claim democratic ideals, but we don't trust those ideals. From the Declaration of Independence to Trump, she draws a clear contrast between what our ideals demand of us, and what the greed of those in power demand for themselves. She shows that "The Big Lie" is not a recent invention, but is woven into our culture.

United States on Jan 16, 2024

S.Booth: Package arrived in good order, No complaints.

Canada on Nov 28, 2023

Bev Dipinto: Eye opening! Accurate. Detailed. Well written Dr Richardson. I now follow Dr Richardson on FB, a Utube and sub stack. I have gained a wealth of knowledge from her. Well worth the read if you are unfamiliar with US Political History. You will be amazed at how history really does repeat itself!

Canada on Aug 22, 2021

Timothy Austin: This is a well-argued thesis of an antebellum elitist creed migrating west, flourishing, and returning to haunt the nation in modern times. The evidence is technically circumstantial evidence, so it is not like a mathematical proof, and it can be questioned : but the quantity and consistency of support is pretty convincing.

For me the most enjoyable part was the account of the successful Elizabethan yeoman class in early America, exquisitely written with a clear picture of the social migration especially from England in the early 17th century.

The book is like a freight train that starts slowly, huffing and puffing with a head of steam and bright new livery. As it gathers pace, it acquires more and more baggage of questionable quality, until it becomes a screaming bandwagon with all kinds of undesirable public figures stoking the fires of inequality. As we arrive in the modern era, we find the story moving at breakneck speed with no final destination in sight and no means of stopping.

A stirring read if you can keep pace with the relentless acceleration. Oh yes, and as a white male I did feel uncomfortable at times (even though I'm not a plutocrat, just an...

United Kingdom on Feb 28, 2021

Frank Donnelly: "How The South Won The Civil War" is a really well written and very interesting book about American History with accompanying political, sociological, and economic analysis. I purchased both the Kindle and audiobook and read an listened simultaneously. I value and enjoyed every aspect of this book. The book is of medium length and is highly readable.

The book contains a fair amount of actual history that may provide a good deal of objective American history to some readers. This objective information is, as far as I could tell, accurate. At a minimum this may enhance a reader's knowledge of American history. As an amateur history buff who has read a good deal of history books, it is more than fair to say that I still learned a fair amount from this book.

I also found the analysis of the historical information very interesting. Analysis of course ends up being a matter of opinion. Again, I did learn a good deal and was provided with a lot of fuel for thought, I wish to state that I ended up agreeing with a good deal of the analysis. I was grateful for all of the analysis regardless of whether I agreed with all that of it or not. All of the information is worthy of...

United States on Feb 16, 2021

Dr John Barker: A brilliant chronicle of US history, illustrating how the racism and classism have been integral to the Nation’s psyche since the Mayflower.

Australia on Feb 06, 2021

江ノ島: ...

Japan on Nov 22, 2020