audiobook Splendid Failure: Postwar Reconstruction in the American South (American Ways Series) by Michael W. Fitzgerald in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. finding a good; currentBy NigelI bought this on Kindle and the version was ok; I still prefer proper books though. Although many books have been written on the Civil War itself; finding a good; current; readable book on Reconstruction is a challenge I feel. And while the heroism and "glory" of the 4 year Civil War provides an excellent backdrop for narratives; understanding its devastating consequences that still resonate 150 years later; somehow proves a less attractive topic. Overall; I liked this book and for me it gives a contemporary account of the Reconstruction period and beyond in a single volume. I think it started well and ended well but I got a bit lost in the middle with lots of political details from the various different States that I found hard to follow. I need to re-read some of these chapters. I liked the overall tone of the book; as typified by the great title. It is telling for me that for all the romance of the American West and the many Hollywood films and books about this period of history; few address the Reconstruction head on that was shaping the country for decades. I have recently bought Foner's abridged history of Reconstruction; it will be interesting to compare the two books. Foner's seminal multi-volume book on the topic is a bit beyond my level of interest.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy JustinEasy to read and very informative.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Pretty GoodBy Curtis HiceFitzgerald throws his hat in the ring with many others who have tackled the Reconstruction topic. Reconstruction; the Civil War; and the emancipation of so many slaves; were all things that were unprecedented; at least in American history. Neither our legislative branch or the executive branch (the presidency) knew quite how to handle such a task. Couple with that; the incredible tensions created by race and class differences that had existed; not only in the South; but the North as well; for centuries. To try to just undo that; won't be easy. Fitzgerald address all of these issues in his book.Although the book is not exactly chronological; he does start out with an explanation of how slavery has shaped the South; leading up to the Civil War and subsequently; emancipation and Reconstruction. He does this as a way to set the stage for the events to come. In the next chapters he dives right in to the issues of Reconstruction and the challenges that were unique with each issue. So; instead of treating each chapter as a chronological timeline; he lets each chapter discuss a certain dynamic of Reconstruction; like politics; race and gender; economy; etc…Many historians have classified Reconstruction as a failure and Fitzgerald is no exception. However; instead of putting the blame squarely on the Southern Democrats as most would do; he assigns blame to Republicans from the North and South. In the North; particularly because they lost heart when it seemed like the South was a lost cause.The book is a fairly easy read. It's one that the average person would have no problems with and enjoy. But it could also be appreciated by more serious historical scholars. If I had to knock it anything; I would have to point out the lack of endnotes/footnotes or parenthetical citations. Fitzgerald uses a lot of quotes and undoubtedly some paraphrasing too; but he doesn't cite any of them. While the average reader probably wouldn't mind this; more serious scholars will find it troubling.