1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the South - Hardcover

Reed, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385474415 ISBN 13: 9780385474412

Publisher: Doubleday, 1996

Synopsis

An irreverent, idiosyncratic, and information-filled catalog of all things Southern--the people, places, history, traditions, foods, and foibles that fascinate Americans both north and south of the Mason-Dixon line.

The Confederate States. The Cotton Kingdom. The Sahara of the Bozart. The bible Belt. However it is defined, the South is the most intriguing--and misunderstood--region of the country. It's not surprising: Where else can such diverse cultural icons as Robert E. Lee, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Moon Pie be found in one place?

In 1001 short, eminently readable essays, authors John and Dale Reed illuminate every nook and cranny of this fertile land and culture, clarifying with an authoritative but humorous touch what everyone should know about. Interspersed with their incisive entries on history, politics, life, and literature, is a whole mess of fun facts such as what state has the best barbecue, where kudzu originally came from, why chivalry is so important to Southern males, and the origins of bluegrass music. So if you want to know the difference between a bubba, a good ol' boy, a redneck, a whelp (Tennesseean), and a sandlapper (South Carolinian), you're sure to find it in 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About The South.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"A writer this funny is definitely dangerous."--Raleigh News and Observer

"John Reed knows his region intimately, probably as well as anyone around, and manages the impressive feat of regarding it both seriously and lightly."--Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post

From the Inside Flap

everent, idiosyncratic, and information-filled catalog of all things Southern--the people, places, history, traditions, foods, and foibles that fascinate Americans both north and south of the Mason-Dixon line.

The Confederate States. The Cotton Kingdom. The Sahara of the Bozart. The bible Belt. However it is defined, the South is the most intriguing--and misunderstood--region of the country. It's not surprising: Where else can such diverse cultural icons as Robert E. Lee, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Moon Pie be found in one place?

In 1001 short, eminently readable essays, authors John and Dale Reed illuminate every nook and cranny of this fertile land and culture, clarifying with an authoritative but humorous touch what everyone should know about. Interspersed with their incisive entries on history, politics, life, and literature, is a whole mess of fun facts such as what state has the best barbecue, where kudzu originally came from, why chivalry is so important to So

Reviews

The publication of the massive one-volume Encyclopedia of Southern Culture (LJ 7/89) gave librarians, historians, sociologists, and other researchers a treasure trove of invaluable information about the American South. Both of these new works continue to inquire into the peculiarities and distinctiveness of Southernness; both define the South as the 11 Confederate states plus West Virginia, Kentucky, and Maryland (1001 Things adds Oklahoma and Missouri to the list). The Reeds, both Southern academics, provide a cornucopia of succinct information that has historically made the South different from the rest of America. They divide their work into 12 broad topical sections such as "The Central Theme: Race and Politics" and "Grit Lit: Literature." Short paragraphs, often punctuated by photographs and illustrations, cover such diverse subjects as Bourbon Street, clogging, and Paul "Bear" Bryant. Howorth (Univ. of Mississippi) capitalizes on the trend of trivial pursuit publications. Her work offers a total of 762 questions with answers based on articles that appear in the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture. The quiz book is divided into eight broad topical sections such as music and entertainment, literature, sports and recreation, the land, and art and architecture, with an average of 90 questions per section. Some questions are truly trivial, while others are thought-provoking, such as "What technological innovation has changed the nature of Southern life most dramatically?" Answer: Air conditioning. If that keen observer of Southern manners, Lewis Grizzard, were still alive he would no doubt enjoy these offbeat yet informative books. Recommended for public and undergraduate academic libraries.
Charles C. Hay, Eastern Kentucky Univ. Libs., Richmond
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Doubleday
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0385474415
• ISBN 13: 9780385474412
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 310