InThe American South: A History, Fifth Edition, William J. Cooper, Jr., Thomas E. Terrill, and Christopher Childers demonstrate their belief that it is impossible to divorce the history of the South from the history of the United States. The authors' analysis underscores the complex interaction between the South as a distinct region and the South as an inescapable part of America. Cooper and Terrill show how the resulting tension has often propelled section and nation toward collision. In supporting their thesis, the authors draw on the tremendous amount of profoundly new scholarship in Southern history. Each volume includes a substantial bibliographical essaycompletely updated for this editionwhich provides the reader with a guide to literature on the history of the South. This first volume also includes updated chapters, tables, preface, and prologue.

William J. Cooper, Jr. is Boyd professor of History at Louisiana State University.
Thomas E. Terrill is emeritus professor of History at the University of South Carolina.
Christopher Childers is assistant professor of History at Pittsburg State University.

Preface
Prologue: The Enduring South
List of Maps
Map Essay: The Geography of the South

Chapter 1: The Beginnings
Chapter 2: The Economic and Social World
Chapter 3: The Intellectual, Political, and Religious World
Chapter 4: The Revolution
Chapter 5: The South in the New Nation
Chapter 6: Republican Ascendancy
Chapter 7: A New Political Structure
Chapter 8: Plantations and Farms
Chapter 9: The Institution of Slavery
Chapter 10: The World of the Slaves
Chapter 11: Learning, Letters, and Religion
Chapter 12: The Free Social Order
Chapter 13: Political Parties and the Territorial Issue
Chapter 14: The Crisis of the Union
Map Essay: The Geography of the Civil War
Chapter 15: The Confederate Experience
Chapter 16: After the War
Biographies
Bibliographical Essay
Index
About the Authors