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In the nineteenth-century American South, a volatile and rapidly evolving capitalist landscape created unique opportunities for ambitious individuals to exploit systemic cracks. Southern Scoundrels exposes the lives of the era’s most cunning grifters, from horse thieves and counterfeiters to slave traders, fraudulent judges, and unscrupulous speculators. Rather than mere criminals on the periphery, these figures were often integral to the region's economic machinery, manipulating unregulated markets for personal gain.
Edited by Jeff Forret and Bruce E. Baker, this collection of essays shifts the focus from traditional narratives of labour to the deceptive practices, masquerades, and violence that defined Southern economic life. By examining how these "scoundrels" navigated slavery, Reconstruction, and the Gilded Age, the book offers a provocative reassessment of American capitalism. It reveals a world where the line between enterprising businessman and opportunistic swindler was frequently blurred. This gripping volume is essential for anyone interested in the seamy, hidden history behind the rise of the American economy, showcasing how unethical behaviour was not just a symptom of the system, but a vital component of its development.
Used (good, see images, minor cover wear) Hardcover ISBN 9780807172193
