Masterful history of a time of great upheaval

Review of Standing at Armageddon: A Grassroots History of the Progressive Era by Nell Irvin Painter

If you think that the present era is bad, all you need to do is read about the Reconstruction to see America at its absolute worst. This book covers the close of Reconstruction, into what has long been portrayed as an era of explosive "progressivism". It is a kind of people's history as well as covering the actions of leaders. The result is a brilliant …