Description:
Cracker Messiah offers a compelling portrait of Sidney J. Catts, one of Florida's most controversial governors. Wayne Flynt delves into Catts's rise to power during the turbulent World War I era, exploring his populist appeal, fiery rhetoric, and divisive policies rooted in race, religion, and class. This deeply researched biography reveals how Catts embodied the hopes and fears of rural Floridians while shaping the state's political landscape in ways that still resonate today. Both a fascinating character study and a critical examination of Southern populism, Cracker Messiah is essential reading for anyone interested in the intersection of politics, culture, and history in the American South.
Review Quotes:
"The indefatigable author has turned over archives, sought out family memorabilia, conducted numerous interviews, and reconstructed with surprising detail the life of the obscure Catts. . . . Catts's career offers a unique insight into the world of the Southern demagogue." --Journal of American History
"Flynt has made effective use of primary sources, including interviews with family members and political participants. The end result is a fine narrative of Sidney J. Catts." --North Carolina Historical Review
"Wayne Flynt . . . demonstrates that Catts's entire life--almost exclusively devoted to a search for the main chance, whether in business, politics, or personal affairs--essentially repeated the 1916 strategy. . . . Cracker Messiah . . . conforms faultlessly to the standards of historical scholarship." --Journal of Southern History