All Over the Map: Rethinking American Regions

Even as Americans keep moving "all over the map" in the late twentieth century, they cherish memories of the places they come from. But where do these places—these regions—come from? What makes them so real? In this groundbreaking book a distinguished group of historians explores the concept of region in America, traces changes the idea has undergone in our national experience, and examines its meaning for Americans today.

Far from diminishing in importance, the authors conclude, regional differences continue to play a significant role in Americans' self-image. Regional identity, in fact, has always been fed by the very forces that many people think threaten its existence today: a central government, an aggressive economy, and connections with places beyond regional boundaries. Calling into question widely held notions about how Americans came to differ from one another and explaining why those differences continue to flourish, this iconoclastic study—by scholars with differing regional ties—will refresh and redirect the centuries-old discussion over Americans' conceptions of themselves.

Even as Americans keep moving "all over the map" in the late twentieth century, they cherish memories of the places they come from. But where do these places — these regions — come from? What makes them so real? In this groundbreaking book a distinguished group of historians explores the concept of region in America, traces changes the idea has undergone in our national experience, and examines its meaning for Americans today.

Far from diminishing in importance, the authors conclude, regional differences continue to play a significant role in Americans' self-image. Regional identity, in fact, has always been fed by the very forces that many people think threaten its existence today: a central government, an aggressive economy, and connections with places beyond regional boundaries. Calling into question widely held notions about how Americans came to differ from one another and explaining why those differences continue to flourish, this iconoclastic study — by scholars with differing regional ties — will refresh and redirect the centuries-old discussion over Americans' conceptions of themselves.

"All Over the Map makes a distinctive and valuable contribution, and it does so at a critical moment in our thinking about regionalism. The essays have many virtues — they are exceedingly thoughtful and they are well informed. With writing that is wonderfully clear, the book is a delightful and important work for scholars as well as a wider audience. I would like to see it in the book shop at every National Park Service site across the U.S.A." — Michael Kammen, Cornell University

Booknews

In four lectures delivered at Johns Hopkins University in the spring of 1993, historians explore the relationship of American sectionalism to federalism and republicanism, New England as a region and a nation, what we mean when we talk about The South, and the reasons behind the regions. Paper edition (unseen), $13.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Edward L. Ayers is Hugh P. Kelly Professor in the Corcoran Department of History at the University of Virginia. Patricia Nelson Limerick is professor of history at the University of Colorado. Stephen Nissenbaum is professor of history at the University of Massachusetts. Peter S. Onuf is Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Professor in the Corcoran Department of History at the University of Virginia.