A significant voice in a significant debate . . . full of marvelous quotes.--William W. Freehling; University of Kentucky"Shows clearly that the Solid South was not solid at all [and] demonstrates that the war encompassed much more than military strategy and tactics . . . it was fought at home as well as on the battlefield."--Wayne K. Durrill; University of CincinnatiThis compelling and engaging book sheds new light on how planter self-interest; government indifference; and the very nature of southern society produced a rising tide of dissent and disaffection among Georgia's plain folk during the Civil War. The authors make extensive use of local newspapers; court records; manuscript collections; and other firsthand accounts to tell a story of latent class resentment that emerged full force under wartime pressures and undermined southern support for the Confederacy.More directly than any previous historians; the authors make clear the connections between the causes of class resentment and their impact. Planters produced far too much cotton and avoided the draft at will. Speculators hoarded scarce goods and brought on spiraling inflation. Government officials turned a blind eye to the infractions of the rich; and were often bribed to do so. Women left to go hungry took matters into their own hands; stealing livestock in rural areas and rioting for food in every major city in Georgia. The hardships of families back home weighed heavily on soldiers in the field; contributing to rampant desertion. Deserters banded together; sometimes with draft dodgers and blacks escaping enslavement; to defend themselves or to go on the offensive against Confederate authorities. Some whites even planned and participated in slave resistance; a joining of forces that previous historians have long dismissed as highly improbable. So violent did Georgia’s inner civil war become that one resident commented; "We are fighting each other harder than we ever fought the enemy."This work stresses more forcefully than any before it that plain folk in the Deep South were far from united behind the Confederate war effort. That lack of unity; brought on largely by class resentment; helped to ensure that the Confederacy’s cause would; in the end; be lost.David Williams is professor and acting chair of the Department of History at Valdosta State University.
#32295 in Books imusti 2015-08-18 2015-08-18Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.99 x 1.08 x 5.16l; .81 #File Name: 0812986687528 pagesRandom House Trade
Review
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful. A Tough Read; But The Best I Have Read on US Healthcare in YearsBy Anne MillsFor any one who is seriously interested in healthcare; it is critical reading; if sometimes heavy going reading. Brill focusses on the history of Obamacare; and in doing so makes it clear that the root of the U.S. health care problem is political. Healthcare now accounts for one sixth of the US economy; and that means that the money and influence t that can be rallied against any change are formidable. This made the enactment of Obamacare so torturous a process; and explains why the result is a U.S. system that still has profound problems.Another reviewer refers to Bismark's dictum that one should not watch either laws or sausages being made; and the first half of Brill's book demonstrates that -- exhaustively and and times exhaustingly. He shows how it was that; even with a Democratic majority in both houses; lobbyists for special interests (the drug companies; the insurers; the hospitals; the device makers; the patient's groups; and on and on and on) were able to force those in favor of reform to water down proposals; compromise; buy off; and on and on an on. In so doing; I learned a lot about the economics and the power structure of the U.S. health care system; but I also learned more than I probably wanted to know about a few too many individuals. I also learned (or was confirmed in my belief) that within the Obama administration there were major divisions of opinion and major shortages of communication.The second part of the book; on what happened after the legislation was passed; was more interesting -- or perhaps more accurately less exhausting. First; in this part; Brill intersperses the political narrative with stories of individuals who ran into financial catastrophe through illness; and looks at what varioius institutions (mostly hospitals) did to bring these individuals close to financial ruin. Second; his narrative of the failed launch of the Obamacare website is eyeopening -- the launch failed because the project was badly run from its inception; and that reflected bad management by the administration; all the way up to the top. That; however; is followed by the livliest part of the book; in which a "Geek Squad" of mostly private sector techies saves the day. There is a lot in this section to gratify anti-Obama types and anti-govenment types; but only if you read it in isolation from the context. That context is one of "non profit" hospitals with CEO's who earn millions a year; drug companies whose devotion to research is far exceeded by their devotion to their profit margins; and an overall situation in which the consumer of healthcare comes in last.At the end of the book; Brill argues that there is no way that the U.S. healthcare system can be rebuilt from the ground up in a way that would minimize costs and maximize outcomes. That would mean single payer; it would mean Medicare drug price negotiation if not drug price regulation; it would mean serious research on comparative outcomes and costs; and it would mean a whole lot of other violent change to one-sixth of the U.S. economy. That sixth has a very powerful interest in resisting change; while the five-sixths of the economy that would benefit has a more diffuse interest. Granted that; he proposes that perhaps we should consider making the institutions that directly provide more and more U.S; medical care --the hospitals -- into insurers as well as providers. It's an interesting idea that sounds a little like handing the whole henhouse over to the fox; but it bears discussion. As to Obamacare; Brill concludes that it was a major accomplishment; in that it brought healthcare into the reach of many more Americans. Still; Brill argues that it was essentially tinkering with the jalopy; not putting in a new engine.This book is the best overall summary of the U.S. healthcare situation that I have read in years; which is why five stars. It could have been a better book; better organized and more readable. Still; I think it is one of those books you should read even if it takes effort.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A must read!By Pamela R WinnickWhether or not you support Obama Care; you must read this book. A brilliant author and reporter; Brill carefully documents how various lobby groups interfered with the legislative process during the drafting of the Affordable Health Care Act. He also discusses his personal medical experiences.The problem with modern health care; the author suggests; is not that "liberals' are trying to socialize health care. Most involved in the legislation appear to have genuinely desired health care for all. But the devil is in the details. As is; Obama Care cannot work.The real issue is cost. How can we adequately insure all Americans when medical costs are skyrocketing? When so-called "nonprofit" hospital reek in billions in profits? When pharmaceutical companies will not make price concessions for groups? When manufacturers of medical devices earn obscene profits? When providers duplicate each others equipment?Here in Pittsburgh; the dominant (and dominating) healthcare provider is UPMC. Its CEO earns $7 million a year. In just six months profits rose by $65 million. In the meantime; even those with Obama care policies either cannot afford the premiums or face enormous co-pays and deductibles. Something must be done.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very informative but unsettling account of the politics involved in the establishment of the Affordable Care ActBy Nelson MostowThis is a very informative but unsettling account of how the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) was created. It includes many of the ways our healthcare system is broken and possible ways to improve it. There is a huge amount of information as to the politics of creating the system. Lots on the backroom deals needed to keep it from being sabotaged; inclucing deals with drug manufacturer lobbies; hospital lobbies; threats by the Republicans to prevent its passage etc. It ends with a few recommendations for how to move forward although these are not accompanied by a way to deal with the destructive politics involved. I found it very eye opening albeit depressing to learn how watered down it turned out and how much politics played a role in preventing its developing its potential. For me; it has too much detail and was too long; but I guess that detail is needed to prove that the assertions he makes are true. I recommend it.
