ern University, Professors Richard McMurry of Valdosta State College, E. Stanly Godbold of Mississippi State University, and the late Stanley Folmsbee of the University of Tennessee all read and commented on parts of the manuscript. Mrs. Ethel G. Schmitt edited the manuscript with care and improved it substantially. Mrs. Tommye Miller, Mrs. Shirley Adair, and Mrs. Gail Champion typed the final drafts with precision and sharp editorial eyes. The Graduate School at Valdosta State College gave me two grants to expedite the completion of the project. Professor Robert H. Wiebe of Northwestern University guided me through the periods of doubt and frustration for this entire enterprise. His insight, compassion, and honesty have greatly improved both the writing and the interpretive framework of the manuscript. I deeply appreciate his willingness to offer encouragement and advice without attempting to assume control over the work itself.

I owe my greatest debt to my wife, Martha McCreedy McKinney. She edited one draft of the manuscript with skill and rooted out many of the errors. But, much more important, she has given me the support needed for a long project, and at the same time she has refused to allow me to neglect more important things. Finally, I thank my dog Boozer for waiting patiently during all these years for me to spend more time with him.

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