In The American South A History Fifth Edition William J. Cooper Jr. Thomas E. Terrill and Christopher Childers demonstrate their belief that it is impossible to divorce the history of the South from the history of the United States. The autIn The American South A History Fifth Edition William J. Cooper Jr. Thomas E. Terrill and Christopher Childers demonstrate their belief that it is impossible to divorce the history of the South from the history of the United States. The authorsamp39 analysis underscores the complex interaction between the South as a distinct region and the South as an inescapable part of America. Cooper and Terrill show how the resulting tension has often propelled section and nation toward collision. In supporting their thesis the authors draw on the tremendous amount of profoundly new scholarship in Southern history. Each volume includes a substantial bibliographical essayampmdashcompletely updated for this editionampmdashwhich provides the reader with a guide to literature on the history of the South. This first volume also includes updated chapters tables preface and prologue.