The South Was Right!

This is a much needed addition to dissusion about the "War for Southern Independence", as the authors insist on calling it. It is passionate and provacative; if you are a Yankee, be prepared to be offended. The strength of "The South is Right" is the documentation. The body of evidence used to persuade the reader reflects good research. The authors make the case that the North was heavily involved in (and profited from) the African slave trade; that the North only abolished slavery through a gradual system whereby most of the slaves were not freed but sold South for a profit, that Northern authors have misrepresented the life of blacks under slavery, making it appear worse than it is; that seccesion was not about slavery but political freedom, and that the War Between the States was fought by the North in order to protect their economy and establish their views on big government throughout America; and that the North has held onto its victory through a process of inundating Southerners with propagana about their homeland. While I do not agree with everything he says, this is worth reading if only to get a counterpoint to the usual history. The main weakness of this book is the authors fiery rhetoric. A strong prejudice against the North is revealed. I think they falsely believe that most Yankees are part of a conspiracy to put the South down, even today. While that was more likely right around the War Between the States, today most Northerners are just victims of one-sided history and residual prejudice. Another weakness is that the second half (concerning the legality of seccesion) is poorly structured. The book repeats itself over and over, and the argument, though sound, is somewhat obscured. Overall, this is a readable, well-documented, passionate book designed to motivate the average Southerner into a more vigorous defense of the South. A good starting point.

...Born and bred in upstate NY. I am also civil war buff. This book is extremely important, for the fact of the matter is that MOST of the history that is taught today is WRONG. Not wrong in the general outcomes/ what happened sort of way, but wrong in explaining the TRUE motivations of the involved parties, as well as glossing over less-than savory events and dirty little secrets. The American Civil War is one of the most misunderstood events in our nation's history, and most of the misunderstanding is from Americans themselves! What we are taught about the Civil War here in the U.S. does not accurately explain what really happened (and don't even get me started on how we turn normal men into unstained 'heroes'). This book gets 5 stars for its fresh approach (how many more volumes of standard Civil War history can we stomach? There are already tens of thousands!) and because it raises questions on what you thought you "knew" about the Civil War. Let me make it clear that this book does not defend or make a case for slavery. The authors concede right off the bat that slavery was disgusting. What the authors DO defend is the motivations of the vast majority of Southerners (and it isn't to uphold slavery), and what the authors attack is the North's (and more specifically, Lincoln's) motivations (and it isn't to free their fellow man). While I don't agree with about half of their observations, I ABSOLUTELY concur with their conclusions about Lincoln. Yes, he was a great man, but he was NOT the man we have been taught to believe he was. If nothing else, reading this book will give you a fresh take on an event that we still feel the repercussions from almost 150 years later. This book is a must read for anyone interested in The American Civil War. Read it for yourself and then decide whose version of history sounds correct.

I have read a couple of revisionist books written to cash in on current events (Melkin's piece on internment and France our Oldest Enemey. This book is excellent, it shares a contravercial title, there any similarity ends (it is well worth looking beyond it's title). To claim this book is one sided neglects the outright bias that is present in most teaching of history within the US. I was educated in England and appalled at the superficial coverage US history receives within the US school system (not to say the same PC slant isn't present in the UK now - it's probably worse). Coverage is more like a liberal apology than coverage of events. The book adopts the "following the money approach" to analyzing who profited most from slavery - the case that much of the wealth went to the North is well made. It also points out slavery was not new to Africa, and was practiced by Africans on their own people without outside intervention. The case is also well made that the North, and Lincoln held racist views. The lot of blacks in the Northern states was precarious (e.g. draft riot lynchings in NY City). The authors do not make any case in favour of slavery - their consistent line is the practice is vile. The fact that many blacks served, assisted and provided material support to the war on both sides is beyond refute. Native Americans also served with distinction on both sides during the civil war (including one Brig. Gen on Grant's Staff) - this material does less for the authors case (their choice was more governed by tribal location). The book has a few flaws, it does repeat itself. Arguing that conditions for US POWs do not amount to war crimes (it does even if the North had similar low standards - two wrongs dont make a right) and probably worse, forgetting glossing over atrocities of the South. The style is a little journalistic. Great book that dispels some myths, and brings others into question. Makes the reader realize why most confederate soldiers fought so well. Despite the fact that more than 90% held no slaves.

"The South Was Right" is worth the read, no matter your politics and preconceived view of American History. (...) "The South Was Right" exposes many flagrant lies, and many oft repeated and cleverly created myths conspired by the North about the South, slavery, the War for Southern Independence and a host of other fabrications. Slavery is not defensible, but it's time to tell the truth about it, that the North was as guilty as the South. And it's time to tell the truth about the war: it never was about slavery; it was about money and power as are all wars. The Kennedys do a very good job of proving all this with great research and documentation. This is a must read for all who are tired of being lied to.