Deep Delta Country, by Harnett T. Kane (The American Folkways Series)

THE SOUTH. 
Nonfiction / History, American Folkway Series. 

The was published between 1941-1958 and contains many volumes that came to be regarded as classics in the folk documentary tradition that dominated mid-20th century America. Deep Delta Country by Louisianan, Harnett Kane, lands at the exact center of the 28 total books in the series. Taking a cue from the popular run of the American Guide Series (a WPA program within the New Deal), the series itself focused on American regions and in so doing is a perfect compliment to the AGS focus on states, territories, cities, and national parks. The series was conceived of, and primarily edited by Erskine Caldwell, who would himself become a household name authoring fiction and non-fiction of a distinctly folkways-oriented slant. Caldwell recruited local / regional authors across the country and provided them with the simple guidance of “documenting and commenting on particular cultural regions” and “not sanitizing their subject.” Kane was a journalist / writer who would himself pen several bestsellers, his close clipped style and reputation for deep research infusing subjects mostly revolving around southern Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as southern history more generally. His work has been tagged as overly romantic, but that this was a common trait for writers of the South in that era. Deep Delta Country focuses specifically on the region of the Mississippi River’s course running south from New Orleans and on into the Gulf of Mexico. A myriad collection of histories, folk studies, the “melting pot” tales of the many races and cultures that shaped this deep bayou country, Deep Delta Country is often considered Kane’s finest work. From his introduction: “The great Delta is a favored scene and a tormented one, of alternate felicity and frowning hazard and mystery. For centuries men have speculated about it, settled upon it or tried to do so, and cursed it and loved it. To some it has a sodden, almost terrifying aspect … Others have observed more closely and more accurately, to discover here a rare and untamed quality, beauty in rich profusion and turbulence.” [Condition: Used Very Good. Given its 80+ years of age, this signed first edition hardcover is in fantastic shape. There is no noticeable wear on its boards and virtually no page discoloration common of such vintage volumes. There are a few bent page edges (likely due to it having been dropped) and 2 pencil marks: one circling a stain on the vertical closed page edges, another underlining a name on page 239 (the page also having been dog-eared). All other interior pages are in fantastic shape, its condition indicative of living inside climate-controlled spaces.] 

Condition: Used Very Good. 
Nonfiction / History (Series Editor: Erskine Caldwell). 
Harnett T. Kane. 
Duell, Sloan & Pearce, 1944. 
Hardcover (Signed, First Edition), 283 pgs, 5 x 8.75” / 1 lb 1 oz