Hillbilly Realist Herman Clarence Nixon of Possum Trot

Herman Clarence Nixon (1886-1967) was an outstanding professor of history and political science and persistent southern liberal during the middle third of the 20th century. Shouse's biography of Nixon thoroughly explores his contributions as an academician and a liberal advocate.... Shouse's narrative of his youth, education academic career, and liberal activism is lively. The information she presents concerning Nixon's experiences in Paris during 1919, his involvement in the writing of 'I'll My Stand', his leadership in the Southern Conference for Human Welfare, and his contributions to southern historiography certainly enriches our knowledge. - American Historical Review; ""Nixon suffered for his actions.... It is a testimony to what C. Vann Woodward called 'hillbilly realism' that Nixon could nonetheless find solace in the simplest form of community. Because his life was the cautionary tale that Shouse presents, there is value in pondering whether Nixon's country ways were really obsolete - or part of the bedrock on which the momentous changes of recent years are still being built. - Journal of American History