The Creed of the Old South 1865-1915   By: Basil L. (Basil Lanneau) Gildersleeve (1831-1924)

In "The Creed of the Old South 1865-1915," Basil L. Gildersleeve presents a comprehensive examination of the South's theological, cultural, and intellectual landscape in the aftermath of the Civil War. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Gildersleeve sheds light on the development of Southern thought during a critical time in American history.

One remarkable aspect of this book is the author's ability to synthesize a wide range of sources, including sermons, speeches, letters, and articles, to construct a cohesive narrative. By exposing readers to the voices of both prominent figures and ordinary citizens, Gildersleeve captures the diversity of perspectives that characterized the South during this period.

Gildersleeve's prose is elegant and persuasive, making the book both engaging and informative. He delves into the complex interplay between religion and culture, exploring how religion shaped notions of race, gender, and class in the post-war South. His arguments are compelling and well-supported, drawing on a wealth of historical evidence.

One of the book's strengths lies in its examination of the tensions within Southern society. Gildersleeve distinguishes between the idea of a "New South," characterized by modernization and industrialization, and the "Old South," rooted in traditional values and agrarian society. Through this lens, the author captures the ideological clashes and debates that dominated intellectual circles during this transformative era.

However, one minor limitation of the book is its concentrated focus on the white perspective, particularly in relation to race. While Gildersleeve acknowledges the experiences of African Americans in passing, further exploration of their voices and agency within the discourse of the Creed would have added depth and nuance to the narrative.

Despite this small drawback, "The Creed of the Old South 1865-1915" remains a valuable addition to the scholarship on American intellectual history. Gildersleeve presents an intriguing portrait of a society grappling with its past while facing the challenges of the future. His thorough research and engaging prose make this book essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of post-Reconstruction Southern culture and thought.

Overall, Basil L. Gildersleeve's "The Creed of the Old South 1865-1915" offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intellectual landscape of the post-Civil War South. With its rich assortment of primary sources and compelling arguments, this book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and history enthusiasts alike.

First Page:

In the last score of years I have often been urged by friends and sympathizers to bring out as a separate issue my article, The Creed of the Old South, which appeared in the Atlantic Monthly of January, 1892, and which attracted wider attention than anything I have ever written. As this is the jubilee of the great year 1865, the memories of that distant time come thronging back to the actors in the momentous struggle, and I am prompted to publish in more accessible form my record of views and impressions that may seem strange even to the survivors of the conflict, now rapidly passing away. To this paper I have added an essay on a cognate theme A Southerner in the Peloponnesian War which was published in the Atlantic Monthly of September, 1897, and which has been accepted by the eminent historian, Mr. Rhodes, as an historical document. These specimens of what I call my Sargasso work ("Weeds from the Atlantic") are reproduced by the kind permission of the Houghton Mifflin Company. A few slips of pen and type have been corrected, and a few notes out of the mass of literature evoked by the first essay, or akin to it, have been added for the benefit of the third generation... Continue reading book >>