Which books should I read ?

June 4, 2009 2:27 AM

In order to pass an English competitive examination in France, I need reference (but not too long) books on two history subjects.

I do not have many history books, and I don't have much time either. So I must tap into real good books from the start. The first subject is The abolition of Slavery and The English Debate from 1787 to 1840. The second one is the South after civil war, from reconstruction to resegregation. I will gladly take into account any serious internet resource.

posted by nicolin to Education (2 answers total)

I've heard really good things about Slavery by Another Name by Douglas Blackmon. It's about how white Southerners used flimsy legal pretexts such as vagrancy laws to reestablish a system of enslaving black people. It won the Pulitzer Prize. Interestingly enough the guy who wrote it is a journalist at The Wall Street Journal. Here's an interview with Blackmon.
posted by Kattullus at 5:26 AM on June 4, 2009

A People's History of the United States covers the whole bit, soup to nuts. It's the best comprehensive American history I've ever read (it would certainly cover both of your topics) and no, it's not too long.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 1:05 PM on June 4, 2009