Reviews
[Williams's] accounts of the trials are dramatic. She is particularly skillful in sketching the personalities of the judges and attorneys involved, and her conclusion is convincing., "Interesting and important . . . The reader of Williams's revealing study cannot help concluding that, ultimately, the federal system and the courts were institutional roadblocks that contributed very significantly to the collapse of Reconstruction."-- American Historical Review, "An accessible account of this significant episode. The work skillfully draws upon the wider literature of Reconstruction race relations, using these trials to illuminate broader legal and constitutional issues. . . . Provides an excellent microcosm of the constitutional issues of Reconstruction, illuminating how they intersected with the wider social and political developments of the era."--Law and History Review, Essential reading, especially at the present time... Provides far more food for thought about both past and present than many far-longer tomes. - Sanford V. Levinson, Chronicle of Higher Education; ""A valuable, dramatic, and often disturbing work. Williams is a fine writer who has crafted a powerful study."" - American Journal of Legal History, "Williams is the first historian to publish an in-depth, book-length case study of the Klan's demise in a particular state. . . . Though much of the book concentrates on legal and constitutional matters, she also offers valuable commentary on the social, cultural, and political ramifications of the rise and fall of the South Carolina Klan."-- Mississippi Quarterly, Interesting and important . . . The reader of Williams's revealing study cannot help concluding that, ultimately, the federal system and the courts were institutional roadblocks that contributed very significantly to the collapse of Reconstruction., "An accessible account of this significant episode. The work skillfully draws upon the wider literature of Reconstruction race relations, using these trials to illuminate broader legal and constitutional issues. . . . Provides an excellent microcosm of the constitutional issues of Reconstruction, illuminating how they intersected with the wider social and political developments of the era."-- Law and History Review, "Well written and persuasively argued . . . Williams is to be congratulated for finally dealing fully with the failed efforts to implement Reconstruction reforms. Her book is a valuable contribution to the study of Reconstruction."--Georgia Historical Quarterly, "Whether you enjoy reading about history, civil rights, or law, anyone from South Carolina can learn more about this brutal and difficult period in our state's development through this book."--Charleston Post and Courier, "Well written and persuasively argued . . . Williams is to be congratulated for finally dealing fully with the failed efforts to implement Reconstruction reforms. Her book is a valuable contribution to the study of Reconstruction."-- Georgia Historical Quarterly, "Interesting and important . . . The reader of Williams's revealing study cannot help concluding that, ultimately, the federal system and the courts were institutional roadblocks that contributed very significantly to the collapse of Reconstruction."--American Historical Review, "Essential reading, especially at the present time . . . Provides far more food for thought about both past and present than many far-longer tomes."--Chronicle of Higher Education, Whether you enjoy reading about history, civil rights, or law, anyone from South Carolina can learn more about this brutal and difficult period in our state's development through this book., "A valuable, dramatic, and often disturbing work. Williams is a fine writer who has crafted a powerful study of the exact moment when everything went wrong and violence succeeded in intimidating the whole country into abandoning the rights of millions of citizens."--American Journal of Legal History, Williams is the first historian to publish an in-depth, book-length case study of the Klan's demise in a particular state. . . . Though much of the book concentrates on legal and constitutional matters, she also offers valuable commentary on the social, cultural, and political ramifications of the rise and fall of the South Carolina Klan., "A valuable, dramatic, and often disturbing work. Williams is a fine writer who has crafted a powerful study of the exact moment when everything went wrong and violence succeeded in intimidating the whole country into abandoning the rights of millions of citizens."-- American Journal of Legal History, "[Williams's] accounts of the trials are dramatic. She is particularly skillful in sketching the personalities of the judges and attorneys involved, and her conclusion is convincing."-- Choice, "Essential reading, especially at the present time . . . Provides far more food for thought about both past and present than many far-longer tomes."-- Chronicle of Higher Education, "Whether you enjoy reading about history, civil rights, or law, anyone from South Carolina can learn more about this brutal and difficult period in our state's development through this book."-- Charleston Post and Courier
