South Carolina Books

There is a scene in the uncut edition of the movie version of the musical "1776" where the character of Edmund Rutledge from South Carolina explains to John Adams that his colony is interested in independence--For South Carolina. It was Rutledge of South Carolina that pushed for the clause condemning the slave trade to be dropped from the Declaration of Independence, John C. Calhoun of South Carolina who propagated the doctrine of nullification, and it was South Carolina that was the first state to secede from the Union and the place where the Civil War started when Confederate troops fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. So the story of South Carolina is the story of a state that often did not always want to be a state, which makes it rather unique.

It is not without irony that in "A State of Change," Chapter One of this look at "South Carolina" for the American the Beautiful, Second Series, that R. Conrad Stein focuses on Strom Thurmond, the late senior U.S. Senator from S.C. who was the longest-standing senator in history, as a symbol of that change (even more so today, when we know that Thurmond, who once ran for president as a segregationist, secretly fathered a child with an African-American woman). The history of South Carolina is detailed in the next three chapters, beginning with Chapter Two, "A Colony Carved from the Wilderness," which begins with the "contact period" when the Cherokee first encountered Europeans and ends with South Carolina becoming the eighth state. Chapter Three, "A House Divided" focuses on the primarily on the Civil War but also recovers reconstruction, while Chapter Four, "Twentieth-Century South Carolina," traces the change from a backward, mostly rural state, to a new economy following the Civil Rights revolution. Throughout this volume, Stein's emphasis is on reconstructing the state's image as the place that sparked the Civil War.

Chapter Five explores South Carolina as "A Land of Contrasts," including the topographical changes from the Atlantic coastal plain, to the lowcoutnry, to the upcountry. "Life around the State" is explored in Chapter Six, which focuses on each area. Chapter Seven, "Palmetto State Government," covers the politics of South Carolina, which is where young readers get to find out about such state symbols as the state tree (the palmetto, of course) and the state hospitality beverage (tea, which it is the only stage to produce for business). "An Expanding Economy" is the subject of Chapter Eight, focusing on manufacturing, agriculture, and other industries. Chapter Nine, "Upcountry and Lowcountry Culture," looks at population trends in the state along with education. Finally, Chapter Ten, "Arts, Sports, Fairs, and Fun," looks at movies shot in the state (e.g., "The Abyss," "Forrest Gump") and sports stars like Shoeless Joe Jackson and Althea Gibson.

The back of the book includes a Timeline comparing U.S. and S.C. state history and several pages of Fast Facts with lots of key statistics. Like all of the volumes in this informative series, Stein's look at "South Carolina" has plenty of full-color photos, orignal maps, and a whole bunch of sidebars. These sidebars are where young readers get to find out about the buccaneer Anne Bonney, the "Swamp Fox," Battery Wagner, Jesse Jackson, and the Hilton Head Vacationland. The recipe for this volume is for Shrimp Perlou, the main rice dish of South Carolina, and the most famous (you can substitute sausage, chicken, or any other meat, so do not feel compelled to go with shrimp).

Absolutely incredible. A great read that I didn't want to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed reading, "South Carolina at the brink: Robert McNair and the politics of Civil Rights". The book is a must for anyone interested in the Civil Rights movement, Southern history, South Carolina history and local and state government. I hightly recommend it for anyone looking for an unbiased, fair and detailed examination of the Civil Rights movement. The book helped answer many of the questions I had about one of the most turbelent period in our nation's history. And I would add that the coverage of national politics makes the book weel suited for students of national politics and policy as well. Mr. Gorse 's detailed analysis and indepth study has resulted in an absolute gem. I highly recommend it.

The Gould South Caroling Criminal Law And Motor Vehicle Handbook is a Must-Have for all Law Enforcement officers, as well as Law students, Judges, Lawers, or those just interested in the law. Availible in either loose leaf or bound editions updated yearly, is a much needed "At Hand" for cops on the street or those who just need a handy quick reference to the most used laws, statutes and codes of South Carolina. Easy to use with quick reference guide, and statute code numbered sections.

Every Law Enforcement Officer on the street should have an up to date Gould S.C. Law Handbook in thier patrol car, and in court.

An invaluable resource for collectors of South Carolina dispensary bottles from both a historical perspective and as a resource for the many variations of containers the system produced. This compilation contains an overview of the history of the system including the colorful creator (Gov. Tillman) and the events leading to and following the "whiskey rebellion". It recounts an interesting time in South Carolina history when prohibitionist compromises helped to create one of the most corrupt government-run businesses of the time. The dispensary idea was sold as both a means to control the flow of alcohol and raise revenue for the state education fund...an interesting parallel as South Carolina currently embarks on building support for a state run lottery, also "to improve education".

I highly recommend this book. The photographs are absolutely beautiful and are printed clear, crisp and with excellent resolution. Being new to South Carolina it was the perfect book to give me ideas of places to visit throughout the state. The book has photos of the entire state, from the mountains to the coast and includes informative captions providing information about the many locations covered. It is much better than several travel guides I purchased as the travel guides generally have small, low quality, low resolution photographs. In summary, if your looking for a book to give you ideas of travel destinations throughout South Carolina, or just want it to enjoy the beautiful photographs, you won't be disappointed.

Edward Lee and Ron Chepesiuk collaborate to compile Confederate experiences recorded in letters and diaries in their superbly history, South Carolina In The Civil War. Seventeen accounts provide us insights into the lives of a Confederate spy, a German immigrant, the voices of ordinary women, and common men whose love for their state led them to risk their lives and liberties in its defense during the harrowing years of the American civil war. Highly recommended for academic collections and Civil War buffs, the informative, engaging text is enhanced with photographs of many of the contributors, along with maps placing events in context.

My wife and I were loaned a copy of this book from a neighbor - good book for folks who have recently moved to SC - gives us something to plan and look forward to come the nicer weather.

Must have for someone who lived in Camden, SC. Great to look at the post cards and see how the town has grown.

Tom Blagden is an incredibly gifted photographer who has graced us with yet another special little piece of South Carolina magic. Each photograph is more beautiful than the last. He captures images that make me wish I could get up with the sun, and go to bed when the moon is high in the sky....

Exciting book.mentions our ggggg uncle..as an early outlaw :) wonderful stories of South Carolina in the 18th Century.. wow.!!