almost seventy articles or chapters in books, including two full-length
biographies (as the bibliography at the end of this volume attests). Other
studies on the scholar and his work are still in progress. Convinced that the
great interest in Phillips has become an important theme in itself, the editors
of this anthology have assembled a work that chronicles the major issues
of debate and the range of topics concerning Phillips and his writings.

The anthology consists of twenty-six essays or excerpts from larger
works--all published between 1913 and 1986--that assess in some way
Phillips's writings or career. Because of the varying critical responses to his
work, this volume is arranged thematically. Phillips's background, his
training, his regional and racial prejudices, his ideology, his methodology,
and the historical genres in which he worked are analyzed by recognized
authorities. A brief interpretive introduction prefaces each section and a
chronological listing of the extant critical literature on Phillips completes
the volume. Taken collectively, the historical criticism of Phillips reflects the
vast scope of his contributions. It also suggests the various ways in which
this Georgia native influenced the field of southern history in general, and
slavery studies in particular. Indeed, despite the flaws that mar his work,
Phillips remains a past master of his craft. Subsequent scholars need not
agree with Phillips's conclusions, but they would be negligent and short-
sighted to ignore them.

As editors, we have silently corrected and systematized spelling,
punctuation, grammar, capitalization, and minor factual errors in the es-
says herein. We have used brackets for any insertions made within the text.
All footnotes appear as endnotes and have been left in their original format,
with minor alterations made only to achieve consistency within each article.
For those essays made up of non-continuous selections from a larger work,
breaks have been indicated.

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