| James Z. George: Mississippi's Great Commoner Contributor(s): Smith, Timothy B. (Author) |
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ISBN: 161703231X ISBN-13: 9781617032318 Publisher: University Press of Mississippi OUR PRICE: $54.45 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: February 2012 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Biography & Autobiography | Historical - History | United States - 19th Century - History | United States - State & Local - South (al,ar,fl,ga,ky,la,ms,nc,sc,tn,va,wv) |
| Dewey: B |
| LCCN: 2011024062 |
| Physical Information: 0.75" H x 6" W x 9" (1.27 lbs) 256 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 19th Century - Cultural Region - South |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: A biography of the Democratic leader once considered the most important man in state politics "When the Mississippi school boy is asked who is called the 'Great Commoner' of public life in his State," wrote Mississippi's premier historian Dunbar Rowland in 1901, "he will unhesitatingly answer James Z. George." While George's prominence has decreased through the decades since then, many modern historians still view him as a supremely important Mississippian, with one writing that George (1826-1897) was "Mississippi's most important Democratic leader in the late nineteenth century." Certainly, the Mexican War veteran, prominent lawyer and planter, Civil War officer, Reconstruction leader, state Supreme Court chief justice, and Mississippi's longest-serving United States senator in his day deserves a full biography. George's importance was greater than just on the state level as other southerners copied his tactics to secure white supremacy in their own states. James Z. George: Mississippi's Great Commoner seeks to rectify the lack of attention to George's life. In doing so, this volume utilizes numerous sources never before or only slightly used, primarily a large collection of George's letters held by his descendents and never before referenced by historians. Such wonderful sources allow not only a glimpse into his times, but perhaps more importantly an exploration of the man himself, his traits, personality, and ideas. The result is a picture of an extremely commonplace individual on the surface, but an exceptionally complicated man underneath. James Z. George: Mississippi's Great Commoner will bring this important Mississippi leader of the nineteenth century back into the minds of twenty-first-century Mississippians. Timothy B. Smith, Adamsville, Tennessee, is a lecturer of history at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He is the author of several books, including Mississippi in the Civil War: The Home Front, published by University Press of Mississippi; The Untold Story of Shiloh: The Battle and the Battlefield; and Champion Hill: Decisive Battle for Vicksburg. |
Contributor Bio(s): Smith, Timothy B.: - Timothy B. Smith is a lecturer of history at the University of Tennessee--Martin. He is the author of several books, including Mississippi in the Civil War: The Home Front, published by University Press of Mississippi; The Untold Story of Shiloh: The Battle and Battlefield; and Champion Hill: Decisive Battle for Vicksburg. |