A multitude of black people of every description chained together; every one of their countenances expressing dejection and sorrow; stripped naked; shaved; and crammed into the steaming holds of the vessels. Over a period of three centuries ten million slaves were transported from Africa to the Americas amidst appalling conditions that went unheeded until the social pressures of the nineteenth century put an end to the trade. Thousands died even before they could be auctioned; but the supply was so plentiful it made little economic difference. In this graphic portrait of the Atlantic slave trade; Edward Reynolds uses primary and contemporary sources to present a realistic and balanced picture of the trade and its consequences. Beginning with the African background; he traces the impact of the trade on both Africa and the West; shows the resilience of African societies; and along the way demolishes a good many historical myths. Stand the Storm is clearly the best short history in print. "Remarkably comprehensive; clearly and simply written; and uncluttered with figures and tables. "―Choice. "The value of this succinct and readable volume lies in the immense amount of material the author has rendered manageable for the general reader."―New Statesman.
#167308 in Books Gallaudet University Press 2004-03-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .60 x 6.00l; .82 #File Name: 1563682559208 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy bigcatgreat book!9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Sad history of Deaf people at hands of NazisBy K. L SadlerI first read the book on the medical holocaust in Germany by Dr. Friedlander. I then came across this one in my search for more material having to do with the Deaf in Germany. This book was originally a dissertation; however; Gallaudet Press and the translater; William Sayers; did a great job in turning what would be a dry dissertation into a short; but interesting book.Horst Biesold is an interpreter who in the performance of his job; came across members of the German deaf community who were finally willing to tell their story about being forced to undergo sterilization. He writes with obvious concern for and about his deaf clients; and the emotional and psychological impact that the eugenics laws had on these people. It is with concern and dismay that I am researching the same subject only in the United States; since the Nazis often wrote that many of their ideas and programs were first proffered by eugenicists in the U.S.This book is a good reminder that when societies don't stand up for what is right; even when it does not directly affect most individuals; you cannot tell how far the 'slippery slope' is going to go. The Holocaust did not just become the Final Solution for the Jews; but included the gypsies and the disabled; and those who were considered 'life unworthy of life.' With the completion of the Human Genome Project; and proponents of euthanasia getting more vocal; and doctors like Kervorkian; and HMOs who put their bottom line before the worth of people...it is all too possible that this horror could happen again; and in this country. I urge ethicists; physicians; and educators to read this book as well as members of the deaf/disabled community so that we can protect ourselves from those who would put less value on our lives for whatever reason. Karen L. Sadler; Science Education; University of Pittsburgh2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Amazing highly recommendBy AmandaA great read for anyone who wants to work or be involved in the deaf community. Very well written and it's an attention grabber. Be warned that it can be sad at times just like anything about world war 2
