The Vital South
How Presidents are Elected
Earl Black
Merle Black
Among the several useful and perceptive books about American politics that have of late been published, The Vital South stands out not merely for the acuity of its analysis but for the broad statistical evidence upon which that analysis is based. For strategists in both parties and for interested observers on the sidelines, it is essential reading.
--Jonathan Yardley, Washington Post Book World
The Blacks clearly map out the past and current political terrain...their masterful book is must reading for anyone who takes the American political process seriously.
--S. Keith Graham, Atlanta Journal Constitution
The Vital South is... a fascinating and fundamental exposition of the pot of gold at the end of the Southern rainbow and how it got there... The longer historic record of Southern cohesion is awesome and the Blacks tell the story well...The Vital South is well organized by historic and partisan divisions.
--Martin F. Nolan, Boston Globe
Earl Black is Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Political Science at Rice University.
Merle Black is Asa G. Candler Professor of Politics and Government at Emory University.