All Over the Map

Description

Even as Americans keep moving "all over the map" in the late twentieth century, they cherish memories of the places they come from. But where do these places--these regions--come from? What makes them so real? In this groundbreaking book a distinguished group of historians explores the concept of region in America, traces changes the idea has undergone in our national experience, and examines its meaning for Americans today. Far from diminishing in importance, the authors conclude, regional differences continue to play a significant role in Americans' self-image. Regional identity, in fact, has always been fed by the very forces that many people think threaten its existence today: a central government, an aggressive economy, and connections with places beyond regional boundaries. Calling into question widely held notions about how Americans came to differ from one another and explaining why those differences continue to flourish, this iconoclastic study--by scholars with differing regional ties--will refresh and redirect the centuries-old discussion over Americans' conceptions of themselves -- Back cover.

First Sentence

The sectional crisis that destroyed the union in 1861 resulted from the failure of national political institutions, including, finally and most tellingly, the political parties.

Subjects

Other Editions

• All Over the Map: Rethinking American RegionsPaperbackThe Johns Hopkins University Press1995-12-01
• All over the mapJohns Hopkins University Press1996-01-01
• All Over the MapHardcoverThe Johns Hopkins University Press1996-06-02