Surveying the South: Studies in Regional Sociology - Hardcover

John Shelton Reed

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0826209149 ISBN 13: 9780826209146

Publisher: University of Missouri Press, 1993

Synopsis

Surveying the South collects some of John Shelton Reed's classic essays which offer an introduction to the sociology of the South. Beginning with the roots of regional sociology, Reed examines threads of continuity and change in southern sociology, including such issues as southern stereotypes and the changing definition of the South. His history of the mythical but often-cited correlation between cotton prices and lynching offers a profound warning students and scholars alike - ""always verify your references"". Reed offers several essays on what has been called ""the central theme"" of southern sociology - race relations. He demonstrates the success of the civil rights movement in the South and explores the ways in which southern identity has become more regional than racial. Reed concludes this collection with a plea to sociologists to abandon the effort to ""sound scientific"". ""Let's not seal the borders of our profession with an impenetrable style and vocabulary,"" writes Reed. ""Plainly, outsiders are not impressed"". This work is intended to be useful to students of sociology and southern studies and to general readers.

About this title

Review:

"Contains some wonderful examples of what academic writing has become and is itself proof that solid narrative can be combined with a clear purpose. This work is a valuable addition to the collection of anyone interested in the South. It provides an introduction to the work of some scholars who have been neglected and further food for thought about just what defines the South."--Southern Historian

"An easy, enjoyable and (as usual) thought-provoking read."--Georgia Historical Quarterly

From the Back Cover:

John Shelton Reed is a sociologist who "can write clearly; has a sense of humor; and is not afraid to express opinion", according to Choice. Reed's popular, often humorous, books on the American South have earned him a reputation as one of the region's most perceptive observers. Surveying the South collects some of his classic essays, offering an engaging introduction to the sociology of the South. Beginning with the roots of regional sociology, Reed examines threads of Southern continuity and change, including such issues as Southern stereotypes and the changing definition of the South. His fascinating history of the elusive but often-cited correlation between cotton prices and lynching offers a profound warning to students and professors alike: always verify your references. Reed offers several essays on what has been called "the central theme" of Southern sociology - race relations. He demonstrates the success of the civil rights movement in the South and explores the ways in which Southern identity has become more regional than racial. Reed concludes this collection with a plea to sociologists to abandon the effort to "sound scientific". "Let's not seal the borders of our profession with an impenetrable style and vocabulary", writes Reed. "Plainly outsiders are not impressed". The result is a brilliant collection written in Reed's trademark style - clear, witty, jargon-free - that will find a warm welcome among students of sociology and the South, as well as among general readers.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Missouri Press
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0826209149
• ISBN 13: 9780826209146
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 168