The bloody slave rebellion led by Nat Turner in Virginia in 1831 and the savage reprisals that followed shattered beyond repair the myth of the contented slave and the benign master; and intensified the forces of change that would plunge America into the bloodbath of the Civil War.Stephen B. Oates; the acclaimed biographer of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King; Jr.; presents a gripping and insightful account of the rebellion—the complex; gifted; and driven man who led it; the social conditions that produced it; and the legacy it left. A classic now newly reissued for the first time in more than twenty years; here is the dramatic re-creation of the turbulent period that marked a crucial turning point in America's history.
#749075 in Books 2007-03-27 2007-03-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .83 x 5.31l; .58 #File Name: 0060892587368 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Required Reading for a better Understanding of World AffairsBy RobertThiss book is an interesting discussion of the role of religion in diplomacy around the globe. I found the discussion around Islam particularly enlightening; including the discussion of Islamic extremists. Some time has passed since it's publication so there have been events which are not discussed in the book. So some of the information is out of date. I would like to see Madeleine Albright update this with current events. Still a very worthwhile read.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Unique insight; but skimpy and conclusory analysis on some of the most provocative issuesBy J. SmithTwo subjects that commonly result in heated debates are religion and politics. In The Mighty and the Almighty; Madeleine Albright gives her take on the intersection of the two. No matter what your political disposition; it is enlightening to see a glimpse into the mind of the woman who served as the U.S. Secretary of State from 1997-2001. Because of this experience (among others); Albright is among a select group of people who can write on these two touchy subjects with unique; frontline insight. For that alone (not to mention the anecdotes); this book is a worthwhile read.That being said; it's important to note that this book has its shortcomings. Those who are expecting a more academic analysis of the issue; buttressed by anecdotes (instead of replaced by them); are left wanting. Albright takes many things for granted that deserve more in-depth examination. For example; consistent with her Catholic upbringing; Albright all but assumes that there most definitely is a God; that most religions ultimately worship the same God; and that religions cause more good than harm. That may all well be true; but in examining conflicts that are all too often rooted in religion; a complete analysis would at least have to address - even if the proposition is ultimately dismissed - the *possibility* that religion is THE problem. Along these lines; it would have made for a much more thought-provoking read if the book had taken the kid gloves off and examined the religious aspects of the subject matter less deferentially (somewhat along the lines of what philosopher Daniel Dennett suggests in his book Breaking the Spell).As another example of the book's lack of analysis; Albright essentially concludes in a few cursory sentences that it was right to establish the nation of Israel after World War II; essentially because of the harm the Jewish people had suffered. A more complete analysis might have more critically examined whether it was necessary to establish that nation in the Middle East; or why; if the Allied powers deemed it necessary to establish a Jewish state; they couldn't have (for example) bought large contiguous plots of land in the area rather than oust the people who already lived there.Of course; everyone is entitled to their opinions; and if you aren't looking for anything more than Madeleine Albright's well-qualified opinion; you will not be disappointed with this book. If you're looking for more provocative critical analysis however; it's probably best to look somewhere else.This Review Copyrighted 2009 by J. Smith0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Carol BoydAll of Americans; especially those who serve in Public office need to read this book.
