Dueling in Charleston: Violence Refined in the Holy City

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Dueling in Charleston is explored as a deeply ingrained social practice, reflecting the city's unique cultural legacy. The book delves into how insults and slurs often led to challenges, with societal expectations driving the offended to retaliate. Over two centuries, this ritual became a significant, albeit lethal, aspect of gentlemanly conduct, revealing the interplay of taste and social hierarchy. Historian J. Grahame Long provides an engaging portrayal of this brutal yet accepted tradition, highlighting its impact on the community's identity.