good overview of a big chunk of Amerian history
I assume this book was written during an earlier national malaise (1930's Great Depression) in order to give people some historical perspective. And how appropriate it seems for today!
Due to the breadth of years (early colonial times through 1930's) and range of topics, this book flies along at circa 20,000 ft. altitude, occasionally dipping into a local, illustrative example (such as correspondence from a ruined plantation during the War Between the States). Covers southern states from the eastern seaboard through Texas, although the focus is largely the classic Old South.
Chapters cover land physiography, climate, natural and energy resources, immigration, agriculture, finance (more crashes than you may realize!), wars, population shifts, transportation, and industry.
This was very interesting reading - not dry if one enjoys seeing how history is still alive and breathing. Did you know that tobacco was once legal tender because there was not a sufficient volume of metal coins in circulation? You can still see today the powerful hold tobacco has on people in certain areas of the South. It's hard to buck hundreds of years of history...tobacco was EVERYTHING to their ancestors! Did you know there were multiple currency failures due to the overwhelming burden of public debt, ineptitude, and corruption? (just like ummmm...today...)
The author is honest in describing why the South was not well-positioned to be a sovereign nation in the 19th century (little domestic industry, not always interested in agricultural advancements, etc.).
Annotated bibliographies at the end of each chapter. Small, simple tables throughout illustrate economic trends.
I don't know why the price of this book ranges from a few dollars to hundred$. I paid approx. $25 for my copy and it's a very worthy addition to my library.
