Historians overwhelmingly have blamed the demise of Reconstruction on Southerners' persistent racism. Heather Cox Richardson argues instead that class; along with race; was critical to Reconstruction's end. Northern support for freed blacks and Reconstruction weakened in the wake of growing critiques of the economy and calls for a redistribution of wealth. Using newspapers; public speeches; popular tracts; Congressional reports; and private correspondence; Richardson traces the changing Northern attitudes toward African-Americans from the Republicans' idealized image of black workers in 1861 through the 1901 publication of Booker T. Washington's Up from Slavery. She examines such issues as black suffrage; disenfranchisement; taxation; westward migration; lynching; and civil rights to detect the trajectory of Northern disenchantment with Reconstruction. She reveals a growing backlash from Northerners against those who believed that inequalities should be addressed through working-class action; and the emergence of an American middle class that championed individual productivity and saw African-Americans as a threat to their prosperity. The Death of Reconstruction offers a new perspective on American race and labor and demonstrates the importance of class in the post-Civil War struggle to integrate African-Americans into a progressive and prospering nation.
#17276 in Books 1986-07-02 1986-07-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.10 x 6.12l; 1.01 #File Name: 0671636030416 pages
Review
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. This is why I chose to be an Airline PilotBy GuitarslingerThis is the book that pushed me over the edge; prompting me to make my own journey from being an enthusiastic Private Pilot to becoming a Captain at a major airline; over the course of thirty years. This is Gann's autobiography and follows his amazing flying career; starting with his new-hire class at American Airlines during the 1930's. During World War II; he flies cargo missions across the Atlantic; and alsó in Asia across the Himalayas; usually tired; overloaded; in the most dreadful weather; with dead reckoning often the primary means of navigation.It is a riveting true story that makes the reader feel like an invisible observer riding along on the jumpseat during countless flights; dealing with mechanical failures; perfect storms; colorful characters; and inevitable human error. Gann has a disarming honesty; disavowing any heroic mantle or superhuman airmanship. He is a highly skilled master of his craft; but he grimly comes to acknowledge that Fate or chance circumstance will often be the salvation of one man and his plane; or a cruel grim reaper to another; for no apparent reason.Reading this book gives us a greater appreciation of the fine transport category aircraft we enjoy flying today; and the myriad ways safety has been enhanced. I have read it numerous times over the years; with new perspective as I had my own moments of elation or despair. Although written many years ago; the job and the circumstances of professional aviation still have a great deal in common with those long ago days. Many times I have thought of a situation from this book as I faced a similar hazard or situation. You will too. I am sure you will also become a better pilot by reading this book; and gain a greater appreciation of the flying pioneers who came before us. Who knows; it may inspire you to make the leap; as it did for me many years ago.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Amazing stores; amazing writingBy Dennis FriedThese stories of the early days of commercial airline flying are amazing. And the fact that Gann survived through his flying careeris even more amazing. He recounts at least half-a-dozen flying misadventures where his survival was essentially a coin-toss. And the bookis replete with names of his friends and colleagues who lost the toss. Gann is an amazing writer. To me; there are three kinds of writers. The first are so bad that you notice the writing because it gets in the way. The second are good and the writing becomes transparent as you read. And the third are so good that you notice the writing again; because its elegance and style and freshness slap you in the face - when you read Gann; be prepared to get slapped silly.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. The classic tale of aviation's golden years.By Glenn SmollingerThis is Ernest K. Gann's semi-autobiographical; seminal work covering his career in commercial aviation from the 1930's through WWII and the post-war years. Gann flew twin and four-engined aircraft for American Airlines and the Air Transport Command in WWII. The narrative covers a series of incidents and accidents; and a plethora of pilots; co-pilots; navigators; radio operators; flight engineers and other airline employees who took part in Gann's career. There is a central question that the book tries to answer; and it is right in the title. Throughout Gann's flying time; he was part of; or witness to aviation close calls and disasters. Weather; equipment; and pilot error may be the answers the accident investigators attributed; but why did one airplane go down in a ball of flame; and Gann's airplane fly with the same circumstances; but land safely. How many times can fate be the answer; to living to tell the tale; while mourning the loss of another captain; crew; and passengers.Gann's writing style is very personal in the book; and the people he describes become personal to the reader; through Gann's writing skill. Ross; Beatie; Keim; and scores of other characters will seem like they were part of your crew; if you give Ernest Gann the chance to tell you about them.
