Mississippi: A History

Continuing the legacy of its well–received predecessor, the revised and updated second edition of Mississippi: A History remains the only survey history of the state written exclusively for use in college–level courses. In his sweeping coverage of Mississippi’s dramatic story—from the region’s diverse Native peoples through colonial Mississippi, statehood, and into the 21st century— Dr. Westley F. Busbee, Jr. deftly combines narrative and topical chapters to address the major political, economic, social, and cultural developments that have shaped Mississippi’s engaging but complex history. Updates include enhanced coverage of Mississippi’s legacy of slavery, the state’s contributions to American music and literature, characters and events that influence outsiders’ perceptions of Mississippi, and the importance of religion and community sports. New concluding chapters consider contemporary problems faced by Mississippians, including environmental change, the on–going legacies of Katrina and the BP oil spill, and the hot–button political issues of abortion, race relations, and education. Busbee separates out myths and legends to tangibly connect Mississippi’s richly textured past to its 21st–century modernity. Mississippi : A History offers illuminating insights into the rich cavalcade of people, places, and events that continue to shape the Magnolia State’s complex and colourful past.

Westley F. Busbee, Jr. , whose Mississippi ancestors predate statehood, is Chair of the Department of History and Political Science and the Division of Humanities at BelhavenUniversity. Dr. Busbee is a member of the Southern Historical Association and past president and Board of Directors member of the Mississippi Historical Society.