Born in the Country: A History of Rural America

The second updated edition of BORN IN THE COUNTRY: A HISTORY OF RURAL AMERICA remains the only general history of rural America in print, covering changes from pre-Columbian to modern times and blending both agricultural, technological and economic themes with ethnic, cultural and social analysis. This second edition expands the coverage on the late 20th and early 21st centuries and traces changes in country living: any college-level holding strong in American or rural history must have this.

Few books exist on the social history of rural america. Danbom's work is by far the best on the subject that I have seen, and should be read by anyone interested in close relationship between agriculture and rural society throughout much of our nation's history. Danbom covers the colonial period through the latest farm crisis of the '80s with consistent skill and erudition. He concentrates on the way economics, government, and social movements affected the people who were actually working the land. In this area his work offers a unique perspective in contrast to other agricultural histories that focus exclusively on economics and politics.My main criticism is that Danbom is somewhat niggardly in his documentation. A work of this complexity needs footnotes, and there are only sparse notes at the end of the book and a brief bibliography. Much of Danbom's interesting evidence is not cited, which is a great nuisance if one is using the book for research purposes. A general reader will not find this failing to be a problem, however; and it does not challenge this book's standing as the best introduction to the history of rural America.