Flood Year 1927: A Cultural History

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 04 December 2018
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 stands as the most devastating river flood in the history of the United States, resulting in the drowning of crops and the displacement of over half a million people across seven states. Moreover, it holds the distinction of being the first significant environmental disaster to be widely experienced on a massive scale. The Flood Year 1927 delves into a rich tapestry of cultural responses to this historic event, drawing from a diverse range of sources such as newspapers, radio broadcasts, political cartoons, vaudeville, blues songs, poetry, and fiction. Through these various mediums, the book offers a compelling portrayal of how the flood provoked an intense and enduring cultural reaction. Initially, it appears that Americans rallied together in a collective effort, as described by Herbert Hoover, forming a formidable relief machine. However, the narrative soon reveals the emergence of deep divisions within the nation. Southerners, attributing the flood's devastation to faulty federal levee design, expressed their frustration by criticizing the "Yankee water" attack. At the same time, the conditions faced by African American evacuees sparked comparisons to slavery, as noted by prominent figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Wells. Environmentalists, such as Gifford Pinchot, even went as far as to label the flood as the most colossal blunder in civilized history. In her insightful examination, Susan Scott Parrish explores the profound impact of these and other key figures, including entertainers like Will Rogers, Miller & Lyles, and Bessie Smith, as well as authors like Sterling Brown, William Faulkner, and Richard Wright. These individuals played a crucial role in shaping public awareness and shaping collective memory of the flood. It is worth noting that the crises of this period, such as war and financial collapse, often dominate historical accounts. However, The Flood Year 1927 provides a unique perspective by shifting the focus to mediated environmental disasters and their significance in shaping modern consciousness. By examining the cultural responses to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, the book offers valuable insights into the ways in which natural disasters have influenced societal attitudes, values, and beliefs over time. It serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between human actions, the environment, and the broader historical context, and highlights the importance of understanding and addressing the challenges posed by environmental crises in our contemporary world.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 146 x 228 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691182940