Vardaman is a small town in Calhoun county in north central Mississippi, named after James K. Vardaman, the governor of the state when the town was organized in 1904. Vardaman made a big impression during his campaign speeches in that area and most of the residents were his firm supporters. The long-awaited railroad into the eastern part of Calhoun county was finally being built and it crossed one of the few main north-south roads in a wooded area a few miles south of the community of Ellzey. This is where the new town sprang up, and it killed Ellzey. Because James K. Vardaman was a hated foe of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Post Office Department refused to name the post office in the new town after Vardaman and, instead, called it Timberville. For 12 years, the residents of the town of Vardaman endured having a post office address different from the name of the town where they lived. The railroad which caused the town to form was torn up in 1939 after the virgin hardwood forests in the area had been harvested, the Great Depression had taken its toll, and improved highways began to make truck travel practical. The town struggled on through World War II and eventually become well-known, even famous, for the superb quality of sweet potatoes increasingly marketed from there. This book was written and complied from contemporary accounts and from the memories of living citizens. Detailed information about the surrounding communities from which the original settlers of Vardaman came and genealogical information about many of the local families makes this a useful reference for those with family roots in this area. The book also includes 162 photographs and the original obituaries of nearly 250 of the older area residents.

History, Memory and Public Life introduces readers to key themes in the study of historical memory and its significance by considering the role of historical expertise and understanding in contemporary public reflection on the past. Divided into two parts, the book addresses both the theoretical and applied aspects of historical memory studies. ‘Approaches to history and memory‘ introduces key methodological and theoretical issues within the field, such as postcolonialism, sites of memory, myths of national origins, and questions raised by memorialisation and museum presentation. ‘Difficult pasts‘ looks at history and memory in practice through a range of case studies on contested, complex or traumatic memories, including the Northern Ireland Troubles, post-apartheid South Africa and the Holocaust. Examining the intersection between history and memory from a wide range of perspectives, and supported by guidance on further reading and online resources, this book is ideal for students of history as well as those working within the broad interdisciplinary field of memory studies.

This volume brings together distinguished scholars to address broad societal claims about the surge in populist nationalism in the scholarly literature on collective memory. The book sets the stage by examining historical origins and case studies of populism and nationalism in the United States before exploring these phenomena in the global context. Next, the book establishes conceptual frameworks for approaching nationalism and populism in national narratives through the literature on collective memory, political psychology, history, and international studies. The book concludes with a discussion on common themes uncovered over the course of the book. Throughout each section, the book uses empirical evidence and conceptual claims to shed light on the rise in global populist nationalism in a thoughtful, comprehensive manner for scholars of a wide range of backgrounds. National Memories offers a multidisciplinary, modern approach to an old global societal challenge in a time of great political and social upheaval.

Advance Praise for MEMORIES OF MISSISSIPPI “A must-read... Wanda Jackson’s compelling account is more than a description of life in the South. It is a window into an era where there is love, trust, and strong family values. People took time to enjoy, even in the midst of hard times and adversity, the simple and pure things of life. Reading Jackson’s well-written book provided me the opportunity to go back in time and relive those years. It was a wonderful journey. This is a great book for parents to read with their children, using it to instill values and pride, and to enlighten them about their heritage. And with that enlightenment, I believe that the reader will realize that no matter what their circumstances, opportunities for success are unlimited.” Madeline P. Floyd, Administrator for Amite County School District (Ret.) “Memories of Mississippi takes the reader on a vicarious journey through the past while he or she enjoys the southern color and scenery depicted in Jackson’s book. In contrast, a certain amount of sorrow and anger may be felt, but a sense of reality comes into focus. ‘This focus brings all of the characters and still life paintings with characters and vivid details to life again,’ writes Jackson when referring to her experiences growing up in the South. Her expressions are made clearer as she skillfully inserts memorable snapshots to give the reader a vision of what takes place at a precise moment. Although these were the author’s daily experiences, they belong to every person who grew up poor in the South.” Christine T. Spears, Professor of English/ English Department Chair for Amite County Schools (Ret.) “This is a piece of history that jumps out at you. Wanda Jackson’s descriptions of growing up on a farm brings back vivid memories of my own childhood, and I felt as though I had gone back in time. The author truly captures the experience of growing up in the South as a black child, told with humor and compassion. This is an excellent book for students to read and discuss, especially during Black History Month.” Dr. Estes Taplin, Superintendent, City of Baker, LA School System