Mark Summers gave this talk on Reconstruction at this year’s Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. It was one of the highlights of the conference and is well worth your time as is his new book on the subject. Watch it here at C-SPAN.
Mark Summers on Reconstruction at CWI
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I thoroughly enjoyed the talk by Professor Summers, it was both informative and provocative. He definitely has a passion for the subject. I believe some in the audience were stunned at some of his statements, especially the ones on “southern honor” and the ex-confederate officers commitment to protect the civil rights of the former slaves in order to gain political power and end what was left of Federal military presence in the South.
To me it was a real learning experience.
Professor Summers himself reminded me of a cross between Twain, Einstein, and Bill Frassinato.
I had Dr. Summers for two classes, one on the Civil War and one on the Guilded Age. He was one of my more memorable professors. I’ll have to find time to watch this and to get his book.
Thanks for posting this.