Although Davidson is viewed by historians as the least relevant of the Agrarians, his vision of the South as a distinct, traditional culture seems to have survived the passage of time, particularly among defenders of a unique Southern identity. Its penetrating analysis of the balancing act between the idealism and corruption of political life that continues to attract and repel Americans is the key to the enduring fascination of Warren's novel. In addition, All the King's Men hauntingly depicts an earlier South, before air conditioning, instant communi-cation, and televised news reports. Border States Vol. 12 was distributed at the 1999 meeting.
Copies are available from the editors.
I have also been involved with the ASA Students' Committee's plans for the national meeting in November. In addition, we are sponsoring mock interviews to assist advanced doctoral candidates with their preparation for the arduous process of finding jobs. Finally, in response to suggestions from the ASA Executive Committee, we have made the re-defining of American Studies an important agenda item. A Good Natured Riot , about the early days of the Grand Old Opry, has won the Ralph Gleason Award as one of the best books about popular music published in 1999. And John Ford's classic 1956 Western, The Searchers .