C. Vann Woodward

C. Vann Woodward was a prominent American historian focusing on the American South and race relations. He taught at Johns Hopkins University and Yale University. Woodward's most notable works include 'The Strange Career of Jim Crow', which was influential in the civil rights movement and is often cited as a pivotal work in the study of post-Reconstruction Southern history.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Strange Career of Jim Crow

    This historical analysis examines the history and development of racial segregation laws, known as "Jim Crow", in the United States. It explores the origins of these laws in the post-Civil War era, their enforcement in the South, and the eventual resistance and dismantling of them during the Civil Rights Movement. The book also challenges the perception that segregation was a natural outcome of racial tensions, instead arguing that it was a system carefully constructed by white elites to maintain economic and political control.

  2. 2. The Burden of Southern History

    This book explores the unique and complex history of the American South, examining its racial tensions, social inequalities, and political controversies. The author analyzes the impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction, the myths and realities of the Old South, the region's relationship with the rest of the United States, and the ways in which its history has shaped its contemporary identity. The book provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the South's historical burden and its influence on the region's present and future.

  3. 3. Origins of the New South

    "Origins of the New South" is a comprehensive historical analysis of the American South from the end of the Civil War to the beginning of the Great Depression. The book explores the complex political, economic, and social changes that took place during this period, including the rise of industrialization, the impact of Jim Crow laws, and the struggle for civil rights. It also examines the role of the South in the broader context of American history and the persistent legacy of racial inequality.