Habits of the Balkan heart Book

This was one of my favorite books. A correspondent in Russia dialogued with me about this book, and I finally sent him my copy. Fortunately, I found a replacement. I also bought Hicks' general history of the U.S.

"The Populist Revolt" is rich in information, detailed to the point of intimidation. But it is the very details, along with the straight-forward writing style, and of course the author's perspective, that made this book such a favorite with me.

Hicks covers the rise and glory of Populism, which means also the beginnings of labor parties and farmers' parties even before the Civil War (War of Southern Independence). The central time period for the peak of populist sentiments, unfortunately (or fortunately?) divided among several political parties, ranges from the 1880s to the 1990s.

After reading this book in 1980, I realized that Professor Hicks had persuaded me, whether that was his intention or not, that I was a Populist at heart. (I have since then further evolved my political views.)

For a person taking even a simply survey course of U.S. history, such as American colleges generally require (or, sadly, once required but today do not), this book will give such a more colorful, exciting picture of that era. I truly believe this book should be required reading in American history courses.