For the People: American Populist Movements from the Revolution to the 1850s [Hardcover]

Ronald P. Formisano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0807831727 | ISBN-13: 978-0807831724 | Edition: First Edition

For the People offers a new interpretation of populist political movements from the Revolution to the eve of the Civil War and roots them in the disconnect between the theory of rule by the people and the reality of rule by elected representatives. Ron Formisano seeks to rescue populist movements from the distortions of contemporary opponents as well as the misunderstandings of later historians.

From the Anti-Federalists to the Know-Nothings, Formisano traces the movements chronologically, contextualizing them and demonstrating the progression of ideas and movements. Although American populist movements have typically been categorized as either progressive or reactionary, left-leaning or right-leaning, Formisano argues that most populist movements exhibit liberal and illiberal tendencies simultaneously. Gendered notions of "manhood" are an enduring feature, yet women have been intimately involved in nearly every populist insurgency. By considering these movements together, Formisano identifies commonalities that belie the pattern of historical polarization and bring populist movements from the margins to the core of American history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Masterful . . . . [A] testament to [Formisano's] standing as a preeminent historian of American politics."
-Reviews in American History

"A fine work of synthesis. . . . Formisano demonstrates a masterful knowledge of the historical literature, and produces a compelling narrative. . . . This is a wise, significant, and thought-provoking book that takes social movements out of the shadows and places them squarely in the middle of American politics."
-American Studies

"Formisano's theme is crucial in American history."
—Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography

"[Formisano's] linkage of seemingly disparate movements should provoke new questions . . . . An important contribution to the history of populist movements and United States political history in general."
— Maryland Historical Magazine

"An utterly compelling and convincing book that will soon take its rightful place as one of the seminal political histories of nineteenth-century America."
— Journal of Southern History

"Provide[s] a detailed exploration of disparate movements that are often given short shrift by historians . . . makes a convincing case."
-- North Carolina Historical Review

"[A] sweeping survey."
— American Historical Review

"Provide[s] significant new material and insights. . . . Helps to clarify and contextualize the heritage of populism, leading to a better understanding of why its political legacy is indeed mixed."
-- Journal of Interdisciplinary History

"Masterfully draws on diverse literatures in political theory, political history, social history, and gender history to offer fresh interpretations of American populist movements from the Revolution to the 1850s. . . . Should become required reading for American historians and political scientists."
—Journal of American History

"[An] extremely interesting and thorough account of the history of populism in the United States. . . . [Formisano's] historical knowledge is prodigious and his account of the dynamics of populism in the country's early decades is obviously definitive. . . . A helpful resource for anyone researching the role of populism in the evolution of American social welfare policy."
-- Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare

"Draw[s] on extensive research and a thorough examination of modern scholarship. . . . Essential reading for students of early American politics. . . . Greatly expands our understanding of and appreciation of the complex and paradoxical nature of American populist movements. . . . Will have important implications for current scholarly debates about the meaning and legacy of popular sovereignty in the decades after the Revolution."
—Common-Place

It is by turns brilliant and arresting. A must read.
—Bruce Laurie, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Reaffirming his long-held position as one of this country's most eminent political historians, Formisano presents a compelling interpretation . . .
—John L. Brooke, Ohio State University

From the Inside Flap

From the Anti-Federalists to the Know-Nothings, Formisano traces populist political movements in the U.S. chronologically from the Revolution to the Civil War, contextualizing them and demonstrating the progression of ideas and movements. Although American populist movements have typically been categorized as either progressive or reactionary, left-leaning or right-leaning, Formisano argues that most populist movements exhibit liberal and illiberal tendencies simultaneously. By considering these movements together, Formisano identifies commonalities that belie the pattern of historical polarization and bring populist movements from the margins to the core of American history. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press; First Edition edition (December 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807831727
• ISBN-13: 978-0807831724
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #525,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ronald Formisano's "For the People", December 16, 2008

By 

Klaus Hansen "Klaus J. Hansen" (Kingston, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: For the People: American Populist Movements from the Revolution to the 1850s (Hardcover)

I think I can do no better than quote from the review by Mark Voss-Hubbard in the December '08 issue of the "Journal of American History":
"This long-anticipated original work of synthesis cements Ronald P. Formisano's reputation as one of this generation's most gifted political historians. 'For the People' masterfully draws on diverse literatures in political theory, political history, social history, and gender history to offer fresh intepretations of Americna Populist movements from the Revolution to the 1850s".