This book profiles the port of Charles Town; South Carolina; during the two-year period leading up to the Declaration of Independence. It focuses on the dramatic hanging and burning of Thomas Jeremiah; a free black harbor pilot and firefighter accused by the patriot party of plotting a slave insurrection during the tumultous spring and summer of 1775. To examine the world of this wealthy; slave-holding African American through his trial and execution; William R. Ryan uses a wide array of letters; naval records; personal and official correspondence; memoirs; and newspapers. He shows that the black majority of the South Carolina Low Country managed to assist the British in their invasion efforts; despite patriot attempts to frighten Afro-Carolinians into passivity and submission. Although Whigs attempted; through brutality and violence; to keep their slaves from participating in the conflict; Afro-Carolinians became actively involved in the struggle between colonists and the Crown as spies; messengers; navigators and marauders. The book demonstrates that an understanding of what was going on in this vital seaport during the mid-1770s has broader implications for the study of the Atlantic world; African American history; naval history; urban race relations; labor history; and the turbulent politics of America's move toward independence.
#477668 in Books McPherson; James M. 2009-02-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.10 x .70 x 8.00l; .45 #File Name: 019537452596 pagesOxford University Press USA
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Lincoln;brief but balancedBy Steven LedbetterJames M. McPherson is the author of one of the best histories of the Civil War ever written; and one of my favorite books of history. His short study of Abraham Lincoln is certainly not intended to replace other massive accounts of the great president; whether in multiple volumes or single massive volumes; but it gives a clear account of Lincoln's life in compact detail and offers up-to-date discussion of many of the issues that have recently been raised about his presidency; particularly his opposition to slavery -- when did it begin? How much was it a part of his intentions as commander-in-chief during the war? Certainly there are bigger and fuller books about Lincoln; to say nothing of editions of his writing; but this gives an excellent way to get the real meat of the basic information about the man and his significance in a quick read.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A good introduction to Lincoln for the novice; and a good refresher for Lincoln fansBy Gary HoggattJames M. McPherson's 2009 biography Abraham Lincoln attempts to capture the life of our 16th president in a mere 65 pages (plus 12 pages of notes and bibliography). As I just finished reading David Herbert Donald's magnificent Lincoln (see my review that work here on ); which weighs in at 600 pages (plus 114 pages of notes and bibliography); this is an interesting contrast.McPherson's account moves briskly through Lincoln's life; and is very precise and efficient. You don't get much in the way of specific details or anecdotes; but McPherson doesn't miss any of the major points of Lincoln's life; either. The writing is engaging; and given that it's only 65 pages; it ends up being a page turner without many pages to turn. You'll find more facts about Lincoln on the many Wikipedia pages dedicated to him than in this book; but you won't find the well-crafted narrative that McPherson presents (and I say this as a huge Wikipedia fan).It's difficult to compare McPherson's biography to a full-length work like Donald's as they strive towards different goals. With Donald's Lincoln; the sum of all the well-told details and insights adds up to paint a clearer picture of the man and his era; and allows the reader to develop a greater appreciation for Lincoln. McPherson does a great job and conveying Lincoln's life in a short and interesting manner; but it just won't let you get to know Lincoln as well as a longer biography.I enjoyed McPherson's Abraham Lincoln; and I would recommend it to either the Lincoln novice looking to get a brief overview of the man; or to the well-read Lincoln fan looking for a quick refresher. The latter reader will not find much that they aren't already familiar with in McPherson's book; but the familiar is well-told by McPherson.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Lincoln we never knew BUT shouldBy EllieOur United States should be thankful for the God given man that this historical and fascinating book outlined. I knew little of what was written in these pages but read with eagerness to know what he did as a wise and thoughtful leader that is sorely needed today. We have wreaked the ideal republic he fashioned years ago. He would turn in his grave if he saw what turmoil and loss of rights we have as a Nation under God. It's a shame. We will be lost unless we repent and turn our ways.
