The bestselling; comprehensive; and carefully researched guide to the ins-and-outs of the American class system with a detailed look at the defining factors of each group; from customs to fashion to housing.Based on careful research and told with grace and wit; Paul Fessell shows how everything people within American society do; say; and own reflects their social status. Detailing the lifestyles of each class; from the way they dress and where they live to their education and hobbies; Class is sure to entertain; enlighten; and occasionally enrage readers as they identify their own place in society and see how the other half lives.
#1024796 in Books Viking Adult 2008-01-24 2008-01-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.24 x 1.16 x 6.28l; #File Name: 0670018406336 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. and his wonderfully written portrayal of the political betrayal of the 13th ...By Michael SaksI have been a student of American history for long before doing doctoral work in US history; nearly fifty years ago. With a specialty in the US Civil War; I was surprised by this chapter; of which I had virtually no knowledge. The author is to be congratulated on his meticulous research; and his wonderfully written portrayal of the political betrayal of the 13th to 15th amendments of the Constitution; which effectively deprived an entire race of people of their civil rights and their right to vote; and prolonged their servitude after the failure to implement the vision of Lincoln and others; even before the little-known sell-out around the election of 1876. The restoration of white southerners to social and political prominence facilitated their subjugation of black Americans without meaningful intervention of the federal government for eighty years. A memorable and essential read; to illuminate the puzzle of how the Constitutional amendments of the 1860's were effectively undone within 15 years of their passage. Four and a half stars out of five.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An esseintial read about the aftermath of the Civil WarBy Robert HornThis is a vividly written book that sheds a lot of light on some events and tactics used by many white Southerners after the Civil War to defeat civil rights; defy Federal authority; essentially re-enslave former slaves and rewrite history. We focus a lot on the Civil War and battles and heroism when we are taught about that era in our schools. Less attention is paid to the aftermath and how mistakes then affected us for another century or more. This essential is reading but it should not be read in isolation. It does not provide; nor is it meant to provide a real look at what was happening at the national level in politics; the military; security and social attitudes to give the stories in this book their proper context. Nonetheless; I highly recommend it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The story how the slaves lost their freedom after the ...By blarneyThe story how the slaves lost their freedom after the Civil War never got told in school or the media. This book is sorely needed to tell the full story of slavery and the Civil War aftermath. It is a story all Americans should know and see how freedom can be lost.
