In 1900, there was a general agreement among Southerners on the need for a comprehensive history of the Southern states. It had been and was a nation, sharing beliefs, traditions, and culture. This series, originally published in 1909, is a record of the South's part in the making of the American nation. It portrays the character, the genius, the achievements, and the progress in the life of the Southern people.The South's rich folklore and strong oral history inspired a literary tradition as distinguished as any in the nation. This volume celebrates many great authors, such as Edgar Allan Poe, Joel Chandler Harris, and George Washington Cable, who are still widely read today. Less familiar to the modern reader, the works of William Gilmore Simms, John Pendleton Kennedy, and Thomas Nelson Page are placed in their correct historical context. The contributions of women writers are well represented by Ellen Glasgow, Grace Elizabeth King, and others.This volume features a comprehensive introductory essay, followed by numerous excerpts. Many complete short stories are included, for example, Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher."