In The Mind of the Old South, Clement Eaton, provides a diverse and in depth look at antebellum Southern culture. Eaton uses many unheard of denizens of the southern United States to illustrate social classes and races. The roles and mindsets of Southern businessmen, radicals, evangelicals, scientists, slaves, yeoman, and humorists are all portrayed through central and supporting historical figures. Eaton successfully shows how these individuals' positions as revolve around the generally conservative, economically agrarian based, and class conscious mindset of the Old South. Eaton's descriptions of diverse social orders succeed because of his use of individuals as spokesmen. Eaton provides a historical context within which the figures he selects are able to communicate his ideas. His discussion of tactics used by southern abolitionists is shown through two historical figures in the following passage: The contrast between Helper and Birney was even more striking: the older man came from a more aristocratic culture and was better balanced than the angry you agitator. Birney sought to make the voice of conscience prevail in the United States; Helper, on the other hand, was a racist who spoke for the cause of the under-privileged Southern whites. (Eaton, p. 169) The above commentary shows two contrasting motives of anti-slavery, using Eaton's style of individual based representation. Eaton's use of the individual throughout his book offers an in depth look at the Old South while making his points clear to the reader. Eaton's chapter on the Southern scientific mind offers a compelling individual based narrative on agriculture's impact on society. The following passage demonstrates how the use of slaves in agriculture affects Southern science: Frederick Law Olmsted in an article in the New York Times, January 12, 1856, attempted to make this analysis on the basis of his observations during three trips to the South. He believed that the close association of Southerners with shiftless Negro slaves tended to develop the habit of ignoring small things because the masters' patience was constantly tried by infinite vexations on the part of slaves...wrote Olmsted, were Southerners 'disinclined to exact and careful reasoning.' The study of science requires concentration, perseverance...-qualities in which Southerners as a whole seem to have been deficient in comparison with Northerners. (Eaton, p. 244) The Southern planter's assumption that slaves were essential to agriculture is the proposed cause for the South's lack of scientists or great scientific achievement. This is an important argument because the under-achievement of the South in the field of science is being directly blamed on an agricultural technique, the use of slaves, fervently employed across the south; making the South's primary source of economic well being a self-injurious institution. Due to the fact that the institution of slavery was backed by nearly all of the social groups discussed by Eaton, his statements regarding slavery have implications for each group. The implications are that almost the entire South is supporting a practice that undermines scientific achievement. This is the underlying argument throughout Eaton's chapter on the scientific mind. The amount of factual information given through individual case studies, easily allows one follow Eaton's deductions in his chapter on the Southern scientific mind. Eaton's deductions or attitudes can sometimes be less clear when he uses racial language. Eaton's use of racial language comes less from himself, but more from the era in which he is writing. Eaton's use of the word "Negro" throughout his book is a characteristic of the time in history the book was published. Although Eaton points out deficiencies in slavery, he is not pointing out racial deficiencies. His overall portrayal of slave and slave owner appear unbiased in his analysis and selection of individuals used to discuss topics. A reader prepared with appropriate background knowledge and an interest in the Southern mind of the antebellum South will find Eaton's book a worthwhile exploration. The insights offered as well as the historical references to individuals allow one to actively participate in the examination of the Old South. Eaton often offers guidelines to the reader as apposed to absolute truths. This forces the reader to closely examine the individuals Eaton uses. A stimulating history involving the many perspectives which make up the antebellum Southern mind are waiting to be discovered by those who are willing.