This handbook brings together an interdisciplinary set of contributors to explore the various strains that make up the study of the American South, including politics, demographics, culture, geography, and history. If you're looking for an up-to-date survey of the trends and issues that define the field of Southern Studies, there's no better book than The Routledge History of the American South. While grounded solidly in history, as its title says, the volume embraces a wide-ranging interdisciplinarity, covering fields as diverse as religion, foodways, and business. What emerges is a compelling vision of the region and its often loving and often terrifying peculiarities, as well as a deep understanding of what's culturally and politically at stake in the various ways we define the South and designate traditions as southern. - Robert Brinkmeyer, University of South Carolina You will not know the full scope of the history and culture of the American South until you read this compelling book. Authorities from a multitude of disciplines present a fascinating portraitof the South from its early origins to the contemporary period in chapters ranging from identity to religion, linguistics to food, and politics to film. This volume appeals toa wide audience of readers. A stunning achievement! - Carolyn Ross Johnston, Eckerd College Arguably the most studied place on earth, the American South has inspired a vast library of work that spans over three centuries. In the magisterial History of the American South, Maggi Morehouse embraces this rich body of literature and offers a powerful new vision of the region's history and culture, with an eye toward its future. The History is a radical work that challenges us to rethink what it means to be "southern." The book is an essential resource for all who seek to understand the American South. - William Ferris, author of The South in Color: A Visual Journey