59 pages • 1 hour read
South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation
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Book Brief
464
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
American South • Contemporary
2022
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In South to America, Imani Perry weaves memoir, travelogue, and historical analysis to explore the South's complex and often misunderstood role in shaping modern America. Through visits to various Southern states and subregions, Perry reflects on her personal and family history as a Black American, contextualizing it within broader historical, cultural, and political narratives. The book delves into issues of racism, classism, misogyny, and anti-LGBTQ+ biases, emphasizing the enduring contributions and resilience of Black Southerners. Perry argues for recognizing the South's nuanced diversity and its significance to the US's history, present, and future. The book describes racist violence and language throughout.
Informative
Contemplative
Mysterious
Emotional
Dark
Reviews & Readership
8,057 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Imani Perry's South to America receives praise for its insightful exploration of Southern identity, rich historical context, and compelling narrative voice. Critics appreciate Perry's personal and scholarly perspective, though some note occasional repetitiveness and dense prose. Overall, it is heralded as a significant, thought-provoking contribution to cultural studies.
Who Should Read South to America?
Imani Perry's South to America will captivate readers who appreciate cultural history, racial dynamics, and social justice. Comparable to Isabel Wilkerson's The Warmth of Other Suns and Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me, it appeals to those interested in in-depth narrative exploration of the American South and its complexities.
8,057 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston
An African American ethnographer and novelist known for her work on Black folklore and culture, particularly in Florida and the Caribbean, whose creative and ethnographic contributions significantly inform Perry's exploration of Southern and Caribbean connections.
W. E. B. Du Bois
W. E. B. Du Bois
A renowned civil rights activist and writer whose theories on race, the color line, and double consciousness provide a foundational framework for Perry’s analysis of racial segregation and identity in America.
464
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
American South • Contemporary
2022
Adult
18+ years
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