In this book; Jack Greene reinterprets the meaning of American social development. Synthesizing literature of the previous two decades on the process of social development and the formation of American culture; he challenges the central assumptions that have traditionally been used to analyze colonial British American history.Greene argues that the New England declension model traditionally employed by historians is inappropriate for describing social change in all the other early modern British colonies. The settler societies established in Ireland; the Atlantic island colonies of Bermuda and the Bahamas; the West Indies; the Middle Colonies; and the Lower South followed instead a pattern first exhibited in America in the Chesapeake. That pattern involved a process in which these new societies slowly developed into more elaborate cultural entities; each of which had its own distinctive features.Greene also stresses the social and cultural convergence between New England and the other regions of colonial British America after 1710 and argues that by the eve of the American Revolution Britain's North American colonies were both more alike and more like the parent society than ever before. He contends as well that the salient features of an emerging American culture during these years are to be found not primarily in New England puritanism but in widely manifest configurations of sociocultural behavior exhibited throughout British North America; including New England; and he emphasized the centrality of slavery to that culture.
#2163723 in Books 2009-06-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.10 x 6.10 x 9.30l; 1.30 #File Name: 0807832758312 pages
Review
7 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Mixed Essays; but Good on BalanceBy David M. DoughertyThis work is a collection of essays over various facets of the American Civil Way and its meaning and impact on Americans. It even included an analysis of how Hollywood has portrayed "The Lost Cause;" a subject that is interesting but hardly meaningful except to show how attitudes are shaped through media presentations and propaganda. On the whole I liked this book. Several contributions were quite good; several were interesting but did not really add anything to the body of literature on the Civil War; and one was definitely a non-read -- the one by Cushman on Walt Whitman's views. The reader should be advised that there is little of the actual war in this work; and it more properly falls into the category of social history. I particularly liked four essays: Stephanie McCurry's on Southern women during the war; their hardships and activitism; Matthew Gallman's on Colored troops and the Battle of Olustee; Florida; Drew Faust's discussion over burying the dead from the war in the following years (particularly recovering bodies of federal troops from the South); and James Marten's depiction of Soldier's Homes after the war. All of these were scholarly and added thoughtful; if peripheral; contributions to Civil War literature. Other than the overly erudite essay by Cushman that seemed to be written to display the author's command of academese; I was particularly disappointed in the essay by James McPherson; normally one of my favorite authors. His treatise on McClellan (a relative of mine) and his relationship with Lincoln read like it had been quickly dashed off from bits and pieces of his other works to satisfy a publisher's deadline. I don't mean to be harsh; but sometimes academics are pushed for time for small contributions while concentrating on some major new work and essays like this result. The discussion over treating Southern rebellious activities as treason and the confiscation of Southern property by William Blair was perhaps enlightening to modern readers. The Federal Government adopted a very modern and generous attitude on these issues; and the reader should consider whether our current Federal Government would be so lenient when rebellions break out as the United States collapses under the weight of its debt in the next twenty years as seems inevitable. Glatthaar's contribution on Lee's first month of command ( a little more) might be useful and even earth-shaking to a novice reader; but does not contribute anything new for the Civil War historian. In fact; it leaves out critical elements in its quest for brevity. Frankly; the other three works presenting the presidents in caricature; Sherman's reputation in Georgia after the war; and the building of Grant's Tomb were only mildly interesting. As always; read the introduction to understand the thrust of the work. However; I was shocked at the plaudits given to Shelby Foote's "The Civil War" and Ken Burns' openly biased propaganda piece on PBS; neither of which could be considered scholarly; even-handed or comprehensive. It is to the nation's great detriment that these two works have been taken by so many unknowledgeable individuals as definitive when thinking about the Civil War since neither allowed facts to get in the way of a good story. In short; I recommend this book to those readers interested in the Civil War. It will add some new perspectives and is definitely worth reading.10 of 14 people found the following review helpful. Social not military questionsBy James W. DurneyThe Civil War generated a series of military questions that keep us busy almost 150 years after the action occurred. This book is a series of essays not on those military questions but on social issues occurring during and after the war. These essays provide a different view of the war; one that military history ignores but can expand our horizons. Essays on Social History can be written for a select audience and be tedious or impossible to read. This book contains both. Additionally; a number of authors chose to display their ample vocabulary at the expense of readability and sentence construction.Stephanie McCurry leads off with an excellent look at the war's impact on poor Southern white women. This is what Social History should be as she covers their entry into politics via petitions. Not the easiest read but rewarding and thought provoking.Gary W. Gallagher looks at Hollywood's depicting the war. An excellent writer; he knows this subject and provides an informative; interesting; readable piece.Matthew Gallman looks at the USCT regiments at Olustee in a combination of social and military history. This is the direction social history should consider. He has combined looking at the men in these regiments with a good look at one of their major battles.James Marten looks at the Soldier's Homes in a very strong essay looks a charity as it was not as we see it. Drew Gilpin Faust takes up the question of burying the Union dead and the impact it had on America. These two essays make the reader look at America as it was from 1860 to 1920. Again; this excellent social history is thought provoking and covers subject that military history ignores.James McPherson contributes little in an essay on Lincoln and McClellan. This is the shortest essay and contains nothing that has not been said elsewhere. There are no insights nor is there anything new or different here.I was unable to finish the essay on Walt Whitman. Overly academic; it seemed pointless and boring. The balance of the essays are readable and of varying interest. I would have enjoyed Carol Reardon's piece on Sherman more if I had not just read a book on the subject.The 12 essays score as five winners; two losers and five fair to good. This is a social history book and needs to be considered as such. The more you like social history; the more you may like this book.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. COMPLETE YOUR CIVIL LIBRARY WITH THIS GREAT BOOKBy Jack Sember LewisI don't have the time for specifics; but the 5-star rating I give it says it all. JSL
