South Carolina at the Brink: Robert Mcnair And the Politics of Civil Rights (Hardcover)

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Key Phrases: civil rights retreat, hospital strike, civil rights change, South Carolina, General Assembly, Supreme Court (more...)

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Product Description

As the governor of South Carolina during the height of the civil rights movement, Robert E. McNair faced the task of leading the state through the dismantling of its pervasive Jim Crow culture. Despite the obstacles, McNair was able to navigate a moderate course away from a past dominated by an old-guard oligarchy toward a more pragmatic, inclusive, and prosperous era. South Carolina at the Brink is the first biography of this remarkable statesman as well as a history of the times in which he governed. In telling McNair’s story, Philip G. Grose recounts historic moments of epic turbulence, chronicles the development of the man himself, and maps the course of action that defined his leadership. A native of Berkeley County’s "Hell Hole Swamp," McNair was a decorated naval commander in the Philippines during World War II and then a small-town attorney, a state legislator, and lieutenant governor before serving in the state’s highest office from 1965 to1971. Each role taught him the value of tolerance and perseverance and informed the choices he made at the helm of state government. McNair’s administration will be remembered for its management of episodes of violence and conflict that marked the onset of desegregation and of protest against the war in Vietnam: the tragic shootings in Orangeburg in February 1968, the 113-day strike at the Medical College in Charleston in 1969, violence at high schools in Columbia and Lamar in 1970, and antiwar protests on the University of South Carolina campus in 1970. These events remain the most vivid memories of the period, but McNair’s lasting legacy is his remarkable ability to affect peaceful solutions and, ultimately, compliance with federal court rulings. Grose contends that it was McNair’s decisive actions and reactions to crises that steered South Carolina clear of much of the ongoing strife of neighboring states during this period and allowed the governor to achieve much improvement to the condition of the state’s education system and economy.

From the Inside Flap

"Through the careful research and skillful prose of Phil Grose, South Carolina at the Brink brings to life a complicated period of intense societal upheaval as our state faced the duel challenges of industrialization and integration. The stabilizing force amid a maelstrom of high-stakes changes was Bob McNair—a statesman gifted with good common sense and uncommon leadership. Grose gives us a rare, honest look at our state’s history through the difficult McNair years and offers us the chance to better appreciate the man who steered us back from the brink. This is a book for all who love South Carolina and for any who would seek to lead her through trying times."—The Honorable Richard W. Riley, former South Carolina Governor and former U.S. Secretary of Education

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: University of South Carolina Press; annotated edition edition (June 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570036241
• ISBN-13: 978-1570036248
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,598,727 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've read on national and state politics and policy during the 1960's, October 6, 2006

By	Keith L. June (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.