This thoughtful, sophisticated book pieces together the intricate story of historian C. Vann Woodward's 1951 masterpiece, "Origins of the New South, 1877-1913, " published as Volume IX of LSU Press's venerable series "A History of the South." In thirteen reviews and articles, prominent southern historians of the past fifty years offer close consideration of the creation, reception, and enduring influence of that classic work of history.

This combination of trenchant commentary and recent reflections on Woodward's seminal study along with insight into Woodward as a teacher and scholar in effect traces the creation and development of the modern field of southern history.

John B. Boles, William Pettus Hobby Professor of History at Rice University, is managing editor of the Journal of Southern History and the author or editor of a number of books on southern history.

Bethany L. Johnson, formerly associate editor of the Journal of Southern History, now lives in Durham, North Carolina.