The compelling story of a slave; owned by the author's ancestors; who became one of the singular artists of the nineteenth century.He is known today; as he was then; only as Dave. His pots and storage jars were everyday items; but because of their beauty and massive size; and because Dave signed and inscribed many with poems; they now fetch six figures at auction. We know of no other slave artist who dared to put his name on his work; a dangerous advertisement of literacy.Fascinated by the man and by this troubling family history; Leonard Todd moved from Manhattan to Edgefield; South Carolina; where his ancestors had established a thriving pottery industry in the early 1800s. Todd studied each of Dave's poems for biographical clues; which he pieced together with local records and family letters to create this moving and dramatic chronicle of Dave's life―a story of creative triumph in the midst of slavery. Many of Dave's astounding jars are found now in America's finest museums. 8 pages of color; 31 black white
#1315957 in Books 1971-05-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.90 x .90 x 5.10l; .95 #File Name: 0393005682384 pagesISBN13: 9780393005684Condition: NewNotes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Thousand year old genius describes IndiaBy Bob NewmanOver the course of history only a few people stick out as truly exceptional. Some are leaders;some religious figures; and even fewer; intellectual giants. Al Biruni; born in 973 A.D. in what is now Uzbekistan; was one such. He had access to learning; became attached to several different courts; and died at the age of 65 in Ghazni; Afghanistan. At the time; Muslim cultures had inherited Greek learning and were advanced in science; mathematics; medicine; and literature. The Ummayad Empire; which encompassed Central Asia; was a main center of world culture then. During his life; Al Biruni had many opportunities to visit India in the entourage of Mahmud Ghaznavi; not a very savory figure in Indian history.. The very different civilization he found there fascinated him; though as a devout Muslim he could not approve Hindu religious doctrine or practice. Still; he learned Sanskrit; collected as many texts as he could; and wrote a huge compendium about India. It covers many fields which may not be very interesting to modern readers---esoteric doctrines; astrological details; inheritance customs; and Hindu astronomical knowledge. But within lie an amazing amount of detail which can be found almost nowhere else. The Indians did not write such books and for centuries there were few foreign visitors; even fewer who wrote anything. Much of our knowledge of medieval India is based on Al-Biruni. In this book you can get it from the horse's mouth; as it were. Not only did Al Biruni leave this giant work (which is only partially translated here). We should also remember him as one of the only Muslim authors in history to take an interest in Hindu religion and culture; trying to understand it on its own terms. This required a leap which was not made by Europeans till the 19th century; the early visitors having ignored or condemned Indian belief systems out of hand. So; not only can you develop a picture of 11th century India from Al Biruni; but you can admire the prodigious work of a man who could stretch the boundaries of knowledge; casting aside the prejudices and boundaries of his times. I won't tell you that you can read ALBERUNI'S INDIA from cover to cover; but if this subject interests you; you'll find something worthwhile. I have given the book only three stars because much of it is not very readable; but as a historical document; it of course deserves five.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Excellent history bookBy Akshay JoshiThis is a must have for history buffs who are specifically into Indian history. The translator has done a very good job and it gives a wonderful picture of the times when Al Beruni came to India as a minister of the invader Mohammed Ghazni. The tone in the book is critical and irreverent of the Indian society as understood by Al Baruni but one must be neutral while reading it to absorb the content. Its just his opinion and one can get a wonderful peek into the life in those times from this very authentic book.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Puneet SethiThank you the book 2as in good condition
