Johnson examines the formative years of post-slavery Bahamas; when the islands’ nonwhite majority began to adjust to their new status as subjects of the British Crown. This is the first book to contrast Bahamians’ newfound freedom with that of emancipated slaves in the American South. The author argues that because the Bahamian abolition movement sought only to free the slaves—not to promote social equality and democracy—freed Bahamians were able to move beyond the slave experience to life in a free but still white-dominated and prejudicial society. Moreover; they suffered none of the violence; segregation; and discriminatory laws that African Americans encountered.
#738432 in Books Spiegel Grau 2012-03-20 2012-03-20Format: Deckle EdgeOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.79 x 1.06 x 5.44l; .80 #File Name: 0812992814256 pagesGreat product!
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. ...Great Taste in LiteratureBy sharsusii usually try to avoid intimate portrayals of Holocaust victims because what i already know about this horrible debauchery gives me nightmares. But this account is different. Without going into too much detail about the gruesome facts involved; this lovely 109 year-old lady has the best attitude i have ever heard of; stating that "every day i live; even during that horrible time; was beautiful; as i was privileged to LIVE!" Life; to her; is so beautiful that she looks forward to each and every day as we all should: as if it will be her last and she wants to get the most out of it. She has an uncanny ability to embrace life's trials and hardships as challenges to prove her strength and look back on with triumph. As we all should. i had to have this book to broaden my outlook; had to have this opportunity to prolong my life with this kind of positivity. Being a musician like her; i marveled at the ease with which she; at 109; plays a Bach Invention on the piano. An invention is a piece which is a contrapuntal wonder; the melody occurring in exactness in 2 parts; one starting a certain number of measures before the other; and continuing likewise to the end; both parts conflicting yet perfectly fitting to the other masterfully. Anyone who can play these artful turns shows extreme coordination as well as great discipline; as the art can be lost much more quickly without continued practice. A lesson in inspiration! Once again; ; you provided me with a needed lift!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An excellent book about a remarkable human beingBy HarpchickI enjoyed reading "A Century of Wisdom from the Life of Alice Herz-Sommer" not only because she was an amazing woman who lived through the Holocaust but also because of her incredible life as a musician. The book pulled me into her social circle of world famous musicians as well as other notables such as Albert Einstein and Golda Meir. Caroline Stoessinger; a musician herself; relates how full of life Ms Herz-Sommer is and always seeing the the good in all situations. I would recommend this book to anybody who loves classical music; reads books about the Holocaust or wants an uplifting story to savor.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. a remarkable spiritBy ChurchillThere is really no explaining why some events destroy one person and are conquered by another. Alice Herz Sommer had a charmed life as a young married woman in pre WWII Prague. A beloved daughter in an upper middle class jewish family she was also an extraordinary musician. But the day the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia her world imploded. Her mother and husband were sent to concentration camps and eventually so was Alice along with her six year old son. Music saved her life and her soul over and over again.She just refused to see herself as a victim. The Nazis did not conquer Alice; neither did breast cancer or the death of her beloved son. Read this book and see how you see the world differently and your role in the world--even if the effect is just for one day. A powerful story about an extraordinary person.
