In Death or Liberty; Douglas R. Egerton offers a sweeping chronicle of African American history stretching from Britain's 1763 victory in the Seven Years' War to the election of slaveholder Thomas Jefferson as president in 1800. While American slavery is usually identified with antebellum cotton plantations; Egerton shows that on the eve of the Revolution it encompassed everything from wading in the South Carolina rice fields to carting goods around Manhattan to serving the households of Boston's elite. More important; he recaptures the drama of slaves; freed blacks; and white reformers fighting to make the young nation fulfill its republican slogans. Although this struggle often unfolded in the corridors of power; Egerton pays special attention to what black Americans did for themselves in these decades; and his narrative brims with compelling portraits of forgotten African American activists and rebels; who battled huge odds and succeeded in finding liberty--if never equality--only in northern states. Egerton concludes that despite the real possibility of peaceful; if gradual; emancipation; the Founders ultimately lacked the courage to end slavery.
#796099 in Books 2004-12-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.00 x 1.10 x 9.00l; 1.04 #File Name: 0195182669336 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not exactly what I was looking for.By EthanI was looking for a history of Islam in the detached view from a neutral third party and had this book recommended to me. I think the tendency of the writing is to avoid tough questions entirely and make soft answers for others. It covered good fundamentals but seemed less a scholarly interpretation of Islam than an explanation of Islam's point of view. Not bad perse; but not what I was looking for.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A Historical; Unbiased OverviewBy A.M. MorningA good introduction to Islam and it's history. The author explains the orgins and core beliefs of the relgion. The development of Islam is presented within its social and cultural context (which is how I think most religions should be studied but is especially important in Islam since it is incoporated into every aspect of a Muslim's life); and shows how it both influened the cultures it appeared it and was influenced by them. I didn't notice any bias one way or the other.The names of significant figures; leaders and groups are listed and its a little hard to keep straight. The author had a tendancy to repeat certain phrases and sentences from earlier sections almost word for word; which I found annoying but probably wouldn't bother most readers :)0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful analysis from a writer who does not practice this ...By D.H.ChoudhuryA wonderful analysis from a writer who does not practice this religion. This is a great reading for people of all beliefs.
