Book Review: The Impending Crisis of the South by Hinton Rowan Helper

The Impending Crisis of the South, How to Meet it by Hinton Rowan Helper

Four reasons made this book appealing to me. First, written in 1857 by someone who lived through the era, it offers an authentic perspective. Second, its anti-slavery stance comes from a Southerner. Third, the book sparked a movement called Helperism. Finally, Lincoln appointed Helper as consul to Argentina, suggesting he likely read the book. This is supported by a section of Lincoln's Cooper Union Address that, more eloquently, echoes Helper's commentary.

When writing a historical novel, it’s crucial to get inside the heads of the people who actually experienced the period. One technique is to read contemporaneous writings, including books, periodicals, newspapers, and speeches.

Helper’s thesis is that slavery harms economic growth, inventiveness, and the middle class. He uses extensive census statistics to solidly prove his case. While the sheer amount of data is convincing, it can feel dull. Fortunately, once accustomed to his style, readers can scan the numbers. If you are interested in the data, I recommend a print version rather than an e-book.

The Impending Crisis of the South provides an interesting and pertinent perspective on the economics of slavery.

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A blog by James D. Best

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