During the 1850s and early 1860s; Iowa; the westernmost free state bordering a slave state; stood as a bulwark of antislavery sentiment while the decades-long struggle over slavery shifted westward. On its southern border lay Missouri; the northernmost slaveholding state. To its west was the Kansas-Nebraska Territory; where proslavery and antislavery militias battled. Missouri slaves fled to Iowa seeking freedom; finding opponents of slavery who risked their lives and livelihoods to help them; as well as bounty hunters who forced them back into bondage. When opponents of slavery streamed west across the state’s broad prairies to prevent slaveholders from dominating Kansas; Iowans fed; housed; and armed the antislavery settlers. Not a few young Iowa men also took up arms.
#1005398 in Books The Guilford Press 2010-11-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.98 x .84 x 7.10l; 1.74 #File Name: 1606239201448 pages
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. A Surprising Look at Contempory Russia and the Former Members of the U.S.S.R.By Frederick SanbornRecently; I've read eight geographies about Asia; Central Asia; China; and Russia. The publication dates range from four years ago to almost seventy years ago. No two of the books were written in the same format. All the books differed significantly in the material they covered to such an extent that I'm not at all sure what should or should not be in a geography book. All; however; were full of useful information and I learned a great deal from them. For me; though; this book; A Geography of Russia and Its Neighbors; is in a class by itself. It's very well written. The author; Mikhail Blinnikov; has produced a splendid text that includes Review Questions; Exercises; and Further Reading. The sources for his facts are scrupulously noted. And while he now teaches in the United States; he grew up in and was educated in the Soviet Union and lived through the transition to the current Russia. He understands modern Russia as only a Russian can. He covers everything from geology; history; and society to industry; life in the cities; life in the villages; and the role of the Military. He discusses Russian Literature and Russian Art; both traditional and under the Soviet Union. There are special sections called "Vignettes" which highlight particular aspects of Russian culture; life; history; geography; etc. They are very instructive and fun to read. I could go on; but I could never do justice to the remarkable amount of information that Professor Blinnikov has found room for in the approximately 440 pages of text in his book. He even finds space to tell us what to visit in Russia and why. By now I hope I've made it clear that this is more than a geography book. This book is also about culture; economics;ecology;education;history; social criticism; and much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; and while I did; I developed a healthy respect for the character and integrity of the man that I believe comes through in his writing. It's clear that there was much that he disliked about Russia's former Communist government and there is much that he dislikes about the governments that have succeeded that one. But he is not blind to the achievements of the Soviet Union; nor is he afraid to point them out. He is a Russian who is proud of his land and his people and he explains very well; at least to me; why this is so.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Amazing Land to the east of Europe.By Brian P WoodsThis is reference source which you would consult again and again (as different questions arose in your mind) rather than book that you would read; then shelve and let gather dust. Its real very interesting and fascinating - Russia is such a vast land-mass and is populated by such a variety of different ethnic groups with their different languages and customs. The geographical variations alone would make the book interesting and useful. Its a book which would interest the curious and who would want to 'broaden' their horizon.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Lindsayvery interesting read.
