Harriet Tubman is one of the giants of American history—a fearless visionary who led scores of her fellow slaves to freedom and battled courageously behind enemy lines during the Civil War. And yet in the nine decades since her death; next to nothing has been written about this extraordinary woman aside from juvenile biographies. The truth about Harriet Tubman has become lost inside a legend woven of racial and gender stereotypes. Now at last; in this long-overdue biography; historian Kate Clifford Larson gives Harriet Tubman the powerful; intimate; meticulously detailed life she deserves.Drawing from a trove of new documents and sources as well extensive genealogical research; Larson reveals Tubman as a complex woman— brilliant; shrewd; deeply religious; and passionate in her pursuit of freedom. The descendant of the vibrant; matrilineal Asanti people of the West African Gold Coast; Tubman was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland but refused to spend her life in bondage. While still a young woman she embarked on a perilous journey of self-liberation—and then; having won her own freedom; she returned again and again to liberate family and friends; tapping into the Underground Railroad. Yet despite her success; her celebrity; her close ties with Northern politicians and abolitionists; Tubman suffered crushing physical pain and emotional setbacks. Stripping away myths and misconceptions; Larson presents stunning new details about Tubman’s accomplishments; personal life; and influence; including her relationship with Frederick Douglass; her involvement with John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry; and revelations about a young woman who may have been Tubman’s daughter. Here too are Tubman’s twilight years after the war; when she worked for women’s rights and in support of her fellow blacks; and when racist politicians and suffragists marginalized her contribution.Harriet Tubman; her life and her work; remain an inspiration to all who value freedom. Now; thanks to Larson’s breathtaking biography; we can finally appreciate Tubman as a complete human being—an American hero; yes; but also a woman who loved; suffered; and sacrificed. Bound for the Promised Land is a magnificent work of biography; history; and truth telling.From the Hardcover edition.
#1829284 in Books Michael Broers 1996-09-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.10 x .90 x 9.10l; 1.08 #File Name: 0340662646304 pagesEurope Under Napoleon 1799 1815
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The inner workings of Napoleon's great Empire.By Nicholas RobertsI bought this book to learn more about the French occupation of Europe and this book did not disappoint. The entire empire is covered including some of the lessor known areas such as the Illyrian Provinces. Napoleon's new set of governments; economic policy; conscription; and others are talked about in great detail. The author does an excellent job supporting his theory that the Napoleonic empire was not nationalistic in nature and clearly favored France. The core of the Empire was France herself; but not everyone in France was supportive of Napoleon. Some areas of the outer empire for instance were more supportive than regions of France. Broers does a great job making this argument and the reasons why. Napoleon's economic policy nearly bankrupt the outer empire and he explains why. Finally when the empire fell he explains the reason as anti-French rather than nationalistic support to overthrow him. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about the inner workings of the Empire.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Insightful Overview and AnalysisBy R. AlbinThis relatively concise (about 250 pages) book is an unusually well written and insightful analysis of the Napoleonic Empire. Broers covers the period from Napoleon's ascension to power in 1799 to the fall of the Empire in a series of chronologically arranged but primarily analytical chapters. Each chapter provides the essential basic narrative but Broers' primary emphasis is on the nature of the Napoleonic Empire and the differing responses of the different regions incorporated into the Empire.Broers' Napoleon is not the irrational force of romantic legend; or a brilliant general improvising as he went along. Napoleon here is presented primarily as the architect of a powerful French state; the inheritor of both the Terror and the type of enlightened despotism practiced by Frederick the Great and Joseph II. Napoleon's great achievement; in Broers' view; was to consolidate the centralizing reforms of the Revolution; producing a uniquely powerful French state whose most obvious manifestation was its army. In the conflicts that characterized the early years of the Empire; Napoleon was able to extend this state successfully with the creation of what Broers terms the inner Empire; the Low Countries; the Rhineland; and much of Northern Italy. These regions were administered very much as France was administered; with Napoleon extending the French administrative; legal; and religious reforms developed in France.Broers is particularly on the differing responses of different regions conquered by the French; including parts of France where the Empire's rule was surprisingly less secure. Many parts of the inner Empire adapted well to French rule. Napoleon's Empire got into particular trouble with its extension into the so-called outer Empire; regions like Spain that the French conquered as part of Napoleon's efforts to eliminate the British threat and where a combination of popular revolt and Church resistance made imposition of the reform package particularly difficult. Broers is very good on the often destructive effects of Napoleonic conquest. The reactions of local elites to Napoleonic reforms and the differing consequences of French economic policies; including the blockade of British commerce and the essentially colonial policy pursued by the French are delineated quite well.Broers' narrative shows the evolution of the Empire very well and he stresses that its greatest achievement was to leave behind a legacy of modern state machinery; either in areas where it was imposed by the French or by the need to emulate French reforms to compete in the international arena. These institutions include much of what we regard today as crucial to a liberal society; though the Napoleonic state; which Broers terms a "well ordered police state;" was hardly a liberal state. The state system that followed Napoleon's Empire was very much his creation.0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Very Detailed but...By The GeezerI did like his style as well as his presentation and analysis. He covers all political and philosophical aspects of "Napoleon-ism" in France and the European occupied countries. He touches the subject of the Napoleonic wars and occupation's economic consequences; but... he does not get into the numbers or description of the various war crimes committed in Germany; Italy and Spain. He ignores the issue as a possible consequence of local resistance. If the International Court on War Crimes and Genocide existed at that time; Napoleon would have been sentenced to life in prison together with his generals and marshals.The Italians from the Lombardy region still talk today about the Pavia massacre executed by French.
