In "Deep Roots," authors Avidit Acharya et al. delve into the persistent shadow of slavery that stretches across the American South, influencing its contemporary political and social landscape. Despite the seismic shifts in American society over the last century and a half, the South remains a bastion of conservative values, with a notable resistance to change in racial attitudes and policies. This compelling analysis reveals how the legacy of slavery has perpetuated a deep-seated conservatism, manifesting in stronger support for Republican candidates, gun rights, the death penalty, and a notable racial resentment among southern whites compared to their counterparts elsewhere in the United States. Through meticulous research, "Deep Roots" uncovers the historical roots of these enduring attitudes, tracing them back to the economic, political, and social incentives that once fueled the pro-slavery elite in the aftermath of the Civil War. By exploring the concept of behavioral path dependence, Acharya and his co-authors illustrate how generations within former slaveholding areas have inherited a political culture steeped in racial prejudice. This culture, they argue, has been passed down from parents to children and reinforced within communities, resisting the transformative impacts of significant legislative changes such as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. "Deep Roots" not only charts the historical trajectory that has led to the present-day political climate but also offers a groundbreaking perspective on the durability of social beliefs in the face of formal policy changes. It is a stark reminder of the long-lasting and self-reinforcing influence of southern slavery on regional and national politics, serving as a crucial read for anyone seeking to understand the deep-seated complexities of contemporary American society.