The Rosenwald Schools of the American South - (New Perspectives on the History of the South) by Mary S Hoffschwelle (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"A fascinating story."--Virginia Magazine

"The detail of the discussion, the reliance on considerable primary evidence, and the overall contribution of the understanding of the development of southern education make this a valuable addition to the historical literature on the South...Highly recommended."--Choice

"The first comprehensive picture of the evolution of the program from its origins at Tuskegee Institute in the 1910s until its termination in 1932. . . . Hoffschwelle assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the program and its larger significance for the status of African Americans and southern race relations in the early twentieth century."--American Historical Review

"Successfully depicts the schools as integral to the African American communities they served in that the schools and what they represented--black agency in providing education for the community--were focal points of African American southern identity and local pride."--Journal of American Ethnic History

"The layers of this book are tied together by the extraordinary detail of the archival research. . . . [A] tribute to the multi-layered institution of the Rosenwald schools."--Southern Quarterly

"[A] compelling narrative, a breadth of scope, and a sophistication of interpretation that make this a must-read for anyone interested in American cultural history."--Winterthur Portfolio

Review Quotes

"A fascinating story."--Virginia Magazine of History and Biography


"Explores the material and cultural impact of the schools on southern African American and white communities in order to explore the meanings of identity and activism."--Journal of Southern History


"Hoffschwelle assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the program and its larger significance for the status of African Americans and southern race relations in the early twentieth century."--American Historical Review


"Successfully depicts the schools as integral to the African American communities they served in that the schools and what they represented--black agency in providing education for the community--were focal points of African American southern identity and local pride."--Journal of American Ethnic History


"The definitive history of the Rosenwald school-building program."--South Carolina Historical Magazine


"The detail of the discussion, the reliance on considerable primary evidence, and the overall contribution of the understanding of the development of southern education make this a valuable addition to the historical literature on the South. . . . Highly recommended."--Choice


"The layers of this book are tied together by the extraordinary detail of the archival research."--Southern Quarterly


"Thorough and thoughtful."--North Carolina Historical Review

About the Author

Mary S. Hoffschwelle is professor of history at Middle Tennessee State University.