Charleston! Charleston!: The History of a Southern City
Often called the quintessential Southern city, Charleston ranks as one of the earliest urban centers in North America. Yet except for anecdotal accounts, Charleston has never received the full historical overview that it deserves. Fraser goes a long way toward redressing that balance, covering all facets of the city and its inhabitants. Culture, recreation, society, religion, and intellectual life are all placed in proper regional, national, and urban contexts. With many entertaining descriptions, Fraser vividly demonstrates how Charleston went from a "boisterous, brawling sea city" to the plantation capital of the low country. It was here that the Civil War began; ironically, says Fraser, a century later it had become what President Eisenhower called the "microcosm of the military-industrial complex." This is about as comprehensive a picture of colorful Charleston as we are likely to get for some time. Recommended for all libraries with Southern history interests.- Jason H. Silverman, Winthrop Coll., Rock Hill, S.C.Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.