Description
Book Synopsis: Longlisted for the 2022 PEN America John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction, a “riveting and tightly argued” history of eugenics and its ripple effects, by acclaimed historian Elizabeth Catte.
Between 1927 and 1979, more than 8,000 people were involuntarily sterilized in five hospitals across the state of Virginia. From this plain and terrible fact springs Elizabeth Catte’s Pure America, a sweeping, unsparing history of eugenics in Virginia, and by extension, the United States. Virginia’s eugenics program was not the misguided initiative of well-meaning men of the day, writes Catte, it was a manifestation of white supremacy. It was a form of employment insurance. It was a means of controlling “troublesome” women and a philosophy that helped remove poor people from valuable land. It was cruel and it was wrong. As was amply evidenced by her acclaimed 2018 book What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia, Catte has no room for excuses; no patience for equivocation. What does it mean for modern America, she asks here, that such buildings are given the second chance that 8,000 citizens never got?
“Grounded, well-rendered, and highly disturbing,” Pure America is another necessary corrective to the historical record, a must-read for anyone concerned with how to repair its damage.
Details
Looking for a riveting and tightly argued history book that will leave you pondering the dark corners of our past? Look no further than "Pure America: Eugenics and the Making of Modern Virginia" by acclaimed historian Elizabeth Catte. Longlisted for the prestigious 2022 PEN America John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction, this book is a compelling exploration of the chilling history of eugenics and its ripple effects.
Between 1927 and 1979, over 8,000 individuals were forcibly sterilized in five hospitals across Virginia. Elizabeth Catte, in her unsparing and sweeping narrative, exposes the true origins and motives behind Virginia's eugenics program and how it was truly a manifestation of white supremacy. It was not a misguided initiative of well-meaning individuals, but a means of controlling "troublesome" women, securing land, and perpetuating a cruel philosophy.
Catte's previous acclaimed work, "What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia," showcased her ability to address uncomfortable truths without equivocation. With "Pure America," she once again challenges the historical record and forces us to confront the lasting damage caused by these misguided policies. As she thought-provokingly asks, what does it mean for modern America that the buildings housing these injustices are given a second chance, while the lives of 8,000 citizens were forever altered?
With its grounded research, masterful storytelling, and highly disturbing revelations, "Pure America" is an essential addition to our understanding of the past and our responsibility to repair its damage. If you're concerned about the course of our nation's history and seeking a necessary corrective, this book is an absolute must-read.
Ready to delve into this captivating exploration of history? Don't miss this opportunity to order your copy of "Pure America: Eugenics and the Making of Modern Virginia" today with a special discount by clicking here. Discover the truth and join the conversation on how to reshape our collective future.
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