EXPANSION OF EVERYDAY LIFE [Paperback]

DANIEL SUTHERLAND (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The period encompassing the Civil War, Reconstruction, Western expansion, foreign migration and the shift in U.S. population centers from rural to urban areas was also a time of extensive industrial and social development, records Sutherland, professor of history at McNeese State University in Louisiana. Yet, as this excellent third volume of the Everyday Life in America series illustrates, most people, though affected by the major upheavals of history, simply pursued their personal lives. Sutherland chronicles dating and marriage customs, the dangers and discomforts of mining and life in the gambling dens, saloons, dance halls and "cathouses" of the period. Living conditions of soldiers on both sides in the Civil War are portrayed vividly, as are the necessities of life on the home front--dwellings from town houses to prairie dugouts; food; clothing; and the characteristic work and play of American families. The author also details the experiences of industrial and agricultural laborers (including children), professionals and merchants and the roles assumed by church and school in urban, rural and immigrant communities. Culminating with a description of the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, this lively study should inspire renewed interest in the social history of the U.S. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

A richly detailed, absorbing portrait of the daily life of Americans before, during, and after the Civil War--the third volume in the Everyday Life in America series. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: University of Arkansas Press (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557285969
• ISBN-13: 978-1557285966
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #579,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful source for the general reader, June 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: EXPANSION OF EVERYDAY LIFE (Paperback)

This broad-ranging text covers daily life, customs, and technology in a variety of American settings during the Civil War and post-war periods. Inevitably, it doesn't give a whole lot of detail on each topic, but this is a very good place for general readers to start. The descriptions of farm life are particularly detailed and helpful. One complaint I do have is that the author does not footnote his quotes from primary sources, making it impossible to follow a reference up. Like most histories of daily life, this volume is short on information about mentalities and beliefs. Also, probably deliberately, it contains little information on political events and almost none on events in the South during Reconstruction. The effects of the Civil War on daily life and thought get rather short shrift. Nevertheless, this book does cover a lot of information and does so in a clear, useful fashion.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Review: The Expansion of Everyday Life, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: EXPANSION OF EVERYDAY LIFE (Paperback)

A great book for students studying the Civil War (like myself). Gives amazing insight to the lives of people during the Reconstrucion era after the war. Pages of great information about soldiers' lives, homes, churches, schools, rites of passage, working life, daily woes, and enjoying life in the late 19th century. However, the info somewhat dry, and gets a little tedious at times, but the amount of details and great facts evens it out a bit.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Window Into the Past, January 29, 2006

By 

Ken Roberts "social historian" (Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: EXPANSION OF EVERYDAY LIFE (Paperback)

I think this is, perhaps, the finest book I have ever read on social history. I'm not kidding. After reading this "encyclopedia" (for that is what it truly is) on every aspect of life as it was during and just after the Civil War era, I actually feel as if I went back in time and visited the past first hand. Forget about "Everyday Life During the Civil War" and the other writer's guide books out there. "Expansion of Everyday Life 1860 - 1876" leaves no stone unturned, covering topics extensively such as the role of religion in the daily lives of the people, courtship, death, birth, clothing, prescription drugs of the era, what was eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, bathing, and schooling. Life in the city, in a town, and on the farm is covered pretty equally where the differences occur. The lives of the (freed) blacks is also mentioned throughout the text. Other topics covered include such taboo subjects as sex and abortion, homosexuality, as well as women's rights. But it is done not in the typical 21st century liberal PC style so prominent in current history books. One gets the impression that author, Daniel Sutherland, has a true passion for truth in social history and is not out to promote a political agenda. He does get a bit tedious at times (which I absolutely love - every detail of life is here!) but never dry, as another reviewer wrote. If you are a student of history, which I am, then I am sure you will feel the same as I.
There is not another history book of this era that I would recommend higher than this.