School gave short shrift to the history of Reconstruction and this book filled out much. I especially appreciate the insightful links to growing Republican conservatism after it’s progressive steps to promote citizenship for freed Black’s. The importance of industrial development in leaving social progress behind, and the workers’ unrest during industrialization also contributed to the failure of Reconstruction in ways I hadn’t thought.
Equally important is the intransigence of the Democrats in refusing to accept freedom for slave and the dignity of Black’s. The Democrats’ use of violence against Black’s, especially in organizing the Ku Klux Klan, was made more clear.
This is a must read for any serious American.