Considered by many the most talented continuator of the Nashville Agrarians, Melvin E. Bradford occupies a special place in the history of modern Southern conservatism. Bradford challenged established views of the founding, nature, and political tradition of the American Union and, most controversially, the "e;myth"e; of Abraham Lincoln. His writings substantially expanded the cultural and intellectual vision of the Agrarians by adding a new political dimension, and provided vitality and intellectual weight to the Southern conservative tradition. Bradford's scholarship can significantly contribute to a more multifaceted and nuanced understanding of American history, tradition, and identity. This book is the first comprehensive analysis of Bradford's political thought.