In the tradition of towering biographies that tell us as much about America as they do about their subject; Ida: A Sword Among Lions is a sweepingnarrative about a country and a crusader embroiled in the struggle against lynching: a practice that imperiled not only the lives of blackmen and women; but also a nation based on law and riven by race.At the center of the national drama is Ida B. Wells (1862-1931); born to slaves in Mississippi; who began her activist career by refusing to leave a first-class ladies’ car on a Memphis railway and rose to lead the nation’s firstcampaign against lynching. For Wells the key to the rise in violence was embedded in attitudes not only about black men but about women and sexuality as well. Her independent perspective and percussive personality gained her encomiums as a hero -- as well as aspersions on her character and threats of death. Exiled from the South by 1892; Wells subsequently took her campaign across the country and throughout the British Isles before she married and settled in Chicago; where she continued her activism as a journalist; suffragist; and independent candidate in the rough-and-tumble world of the Windy City’s politics.In this eagerly awaited biography by Paula J. Giddings; author of the groundbreaking book When and Where I Enter; which traced the activisthistory of black women in America; the irrepressible personality of Ida B. Wells surges out of the pages. With meticulous research and vivid rendering of her subject; Giddings also provides compelling portraits of twentieth-century progressive luminaries; black and white; with whom Wells worked during some of the most tumultuous periods in American history. Embattled all of her activist life; Wells found herself fighting not only conservative adversaries but icons of the civil rights and women’s suffrage movements who sought to undermine her place in history.In this definitive biography; which places Ida B. Wells firmly in the context of her times as well as ours; Giddings at long last gives this visionary reformer her due and; in the process; sheds light on an aspect of our history that isoften left in the shadows.
#716042 in Books 2003-04-29 2003-04-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.04 x 6.00l; .65 #File Name: 0060185163281 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. History at its finest: informative; efficiently edited; fervently written; remarkably moving.By Terry S WichertInformation on the version I bought and read follows:Version: KindleASIN: B000FC11ZGPage Numbers: NoEnglish Style: Contemporary with numerous excerpts from 16th century Jacobean English presented in its original form.Table of Contents. Yes and linked for use in KindleLength: 336 pages in book formX-Ray: NoReview begins here:An excellent overview of the remarkable sequence of events in both the church and the state that came together to produce the beloved King James Bible. This is history at its finest – fervently written; efficiently edited; remarkably moving. A finely balanced work.Despite what follows in my review; this book as indicated above is first and foremost history; a point not to be lost. The story is told both through narrative history that introduces the extraordinary (yet quirky and flawed) men and events who brought this work together (not the least of which was King James himself); and Nicolson’s own insightful analysis sprinkled throughout the book which explains why this bible has reigned for over four centuries as the centerpiece of literary achievement in the English speaking world. This second part; the analysis; for me at least was the centerpiece of the book. While not overtly polemic in nature; Nicolson nonetheless makes a convincing case that this bible forever has a place in the English speaking church despite recent trends to more modern (or worse PC) tones because it makes no excuses about the fact that the language of majesty is neither common nor natural. To the contrary; in Nicolson’s own words:“This is about more than mere sonority or the beeswaxed heritage-appeal of antique vocabulary and grammar. The flattening of language is a flattening of meaning. Language which is not taut with a sense of its own significance; which is apologetic in its desire to be acceptable to a modern consciousness; language in other words which submits to its audience; rather than instructing; informing; moving; challenging and even entertaining them; is no longer a language which can carry the freight the Bible requires. It has; in short; lost all authority. “Nicolson; Adam (2009-10-13). God's Secretaries (P.S.) (Kindle Locations 2382-2387). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.I especially appreciate the author’s insinuation that to those who are willing to acquaint themselves with the rhythms of the King James Bible; a rich poetry awaits that can stir a soul to passionate response in a way that is difficult to imagine in the more recent; “common languageâ€; translations. This rang especially true for me as I set aside my NKJV this year and bought an English Standard Version for my annual reading through the bible. I am now nearly two months into my reading and while feeling adequately “informedâ€; something of the magnificence; the deep splendor; has been likewise set aside (apologies to the ESV loyalists). I will finish my reading in the ESV this year; mostly out of curiosity; but judging from what I have seen so far as I close the last pages of Malachi and Revelation at year’s end I won’t be going back; except for an occasional cross reference. Do I hear the mental gears of the critics whirring ? Did I happen to notice the “N†in front of the KJV above? Yes…; I did. I don’t require (but also don’t mind) the “thee’s†or “thou’s†of forgotten Jacobean English; but even after a short two month absence I very much miss the gracefully expressive rhythm and sense of majesty by which it connects at the deepest levels and which seem to be absent from the other “modern†translations I have tried (NIV; ESV; RSV (better); and worst of all – the wooden NASB). I think Nicolson’s book has captured why (and I am paraphrasing as I truly believe the authors intent here was to write good history and then provide some insightful analysis into it rather than convert the English speaking world to the KJV): Do you want to read an informative “memo from God†or be ushered into his throne room;….. where the rich grandeur of his voice fills to overflowing the chambers of a heart;…. stirring it’s soul to single-minded passionate response ? If it is the latter; then I highly recommend Nicolson's book for some additional perspective.Needless to say; the book is a 5 star for me as is the King James Bible and its modern follow-up the NKJV.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Engaged and engagingBy CustomerEngaged and engagingA lively story out of the translation that resulted in the King James Bible. There are few records of the deliberations of the scholars and of their choices. He has done fascinating work in digging out information about the translators and how they fit into Jacobean England and its religion. He also includes pertinent quotations; showing the strength of the famous translation. I found it a gripping read0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Poetry by CommitteeBy Macaw LadyFascinating on so many levels....if you love words; or political history; or the Bible itself; don’t miss this richly layered book.
