Subduing Satan: Religion, Recreation, and Manhood in the Rural South, 1865-1920 (Fred W Morrison Series in Southern Studies)

Rating:
Summary: Very revealing look at Southern male culture
Review: Ted Ownby has put together a tremendous book that shows how the culture of the Southern male was influenced by the dramatic changes which followed the War of Northern Aggression ( a.k.a. Civil War). If you have ever wondered how these men could stay out all Saturday night drinking, gambling, running coon dogs, etc. and then drift bleary-eyed into the Sunday morning Church service, this would be an interesting book. Actually, there were very distinct characteristics of the masculine culture and the evangelical culture in which the Southern male lived concurrently. Ownby's book covers many facets of Southern life, such as farm life, the growth of towns as social centers, recreation, church, revival meetings, politics, and improvements to things such as roads. When I read about how mail order catalogs opened markets for many products, I thought about how internet-based shopping was having a similar impact today. I also appreciated Ownby's description of how a cash based economy emerged and increased the interdependency of rural families. The resulting interaction created a need for the community to establish its norms, whereas they were more self-sufficient earlier and isolated from what other people were doing. Ownby has collected data from all over the South. He may even discuss an area with which you are familiar, but if not it is still a great book to read. The change process that is described could apply to almost any Southern area. I have found myself pulling this book down from time to time to review some of the chapters. I recommend it to you and hope you enjoy it. Bobby Lane, Tennessee