Two Counties in Crisis

“Two Counties in Crisis is unique both in its focus on political change in two of the state’s counties in the era 1850–1876 and also in its use of theory developed in the field of political science. It is a new approach to the study of Texas Reconstruction and represents original thinking.”—Carl H. Moneyhon, author of Texas after the Civil War: The Struggle of Reconstruction
 
“Dillard is right on the money in arguing that Texas’s Constitutions and the processes by which they have been produced make a strong central focus, and continue to distort political practices to this day. It helps explain Texas to an unknowing world. The cross-disciplinary emphasis is a real strength, and clearly when it comes to Texas history Dillard knows his stuff.”—Michael Johnston, author of Syndromes of Corruption

“As Dillard so effectively demonstrates, the Constitution of 1876 was a product of the evolving contemporary political culture in Texas. Now amended over five hundred times, that Constitution now stands as an almost incomprehensible array of amendments upon amendments, many of which are rarely consistent with the best interests of the voters it purports to serve. Featuring a lively prose style, a strong foundation of primary source materials, a deep understanding of existing literature on the subject, and a sophisticated application of political science theory, Two Counties in Crisis will be an important new addition to the field.”—Robert Wooster, co-editor of Lone Star Blue and Gray: Essays on Texas and the Civil War

“A thoughtful investigation into how the regional differences in support for succession and Reconstruction consolidated statewide, Two Counties in Crisis is a rewarding read for anyone interested in cultural and political change in Texas during this critical period in the state’s history. The legacy of these issues persists today.”—Brandon Rottinghaus, Professor of Political Science at the University of Houston and author of Inside Texas Politics and Underestimated: The Political Life of Rick Perry and the Transformation of Texas Politics
 

"While the central focus of the work is on the U.S. Civil War and Reconstruction, Dillard makes the work relevant to present-day political observers. The epilogue highlights how some aspects of Texas political culture have changed in the intervening years. The detail of its discussion of Texas history alone makes the book worth reading; the broadly accessible incorporation of social scientific research into its arguments makes the work a 'must-read' for scholars of Texas history and politics."--Review of Texas Books

"[O]ne of the most interesting and surprising academic texts that I have ever read. Dillard is a political scientist who has read widely in the historical literature, and he has written a volume that makes an original contribution to the historiography of Reconstruction in Texas."--H-CivWar, H-Net Reviews

"Dillard’s argument is well-supported and a variation on an accepted theme. . . . Dillard adds to our understanding of Reconstruction in Texas and how it affects our current moment. Dillard’s monograph would be useful for professionals and graduate students interested in social and political change in Texas during Reconstruction."--Western Historical Quarterly