Reconstruction: A Concise History

Perfect for what it is- a quick review of reconstruction. Not comprehensive and even spotty in its narrative flow, still sums things up very well and briefly. Even handed in pointing out problems with northern and southern biases in approaching this era. For me, an excellent reminder about just how failed the attempt to provide justice or redress to southern slaves. Relevant to current considerations of repartitions.

As stated in the publisher’s blurb to Reconstruction: A Concise History by Allen C. Guelzo, Professor of the Civil War Era at Gettysburg College, ‘the era known as Reconstruction is one of the unhappiest in American history’. It was meant to unite the country after the Civil War while advancing the cause of the freed slaves and bringing the northern free-labour model to the south. It succeeded for the most part in the first objective but failed in the others. In his book, Guelzo explains what the designers of Reconstruction intended, what was accomplished, and what went wrong. This is a relatively short but well-written and well–documented book. Guelzo avoids the heavy pedantry of many history books making this an interesting, show more informative, and highly readable book for anyone who wishes to understand this important period of American history, the ramifications of which are still being felt today.

Thanks to Edelweiss+ and Oxford University press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review show less

A good general overview of Reconstruction.