In Ministers and Masters Charity R. Carney presents a thorough account of the way in which Methodist preachers constructed their own concept of masculinity within—and at times in defiance of—the constraints of southern honor culture of the early nineteenth century. By focusing on this unique subgroup of southern men, the book explores often-debated concepts like southern honor and patriarchy in a new way.

Praise for Ministers and Masters

“[Carney] unquestionably succeeds in giving us a much more satisfying and complex interpretation of the Methodist relationship to these aspects of southern culture than any other account has provided to date.”—Journal of Southern History

“As religious history, getting inside tensions specific to Methodism in the antebellum South, the book makes considerable and unique contributions.”—American Historical Review

“A valuable reference for historians of the South, of American religion, and of Arkansas.”—Arkansas Historical Quarterly

“An insightful analysis of a virtually unexplored topic....A fresh, engaging, and welcome addition to the historiography.”—Georgia Historical Quarterly

“This important new book by Charity Carney...shed[s] light on the complicated interplay of religion, masculinity, and honor...Recommended reading.”—Journal of Southern Religion

“Carney has made an important contribution....Ministers and Masters well worth reading for anyone interested in Methodism, society, slavery, and gender relations in the antebellum South.”—Methodist History

“A worthwhile addition to the library of any reader interested in the social and cultural aspects of American society.”—Civil War News