Americans have always defined themselves in terms of their freedoms--of speech; of religion; of political dissent. How we interpret our history of slavery--the ultimate denial of these freedoms--deeply affects how we understand the very fabric of our democracy. This extraordinary collection of essays by some of America's top historians focuses on how African Americans resisted slavery and how they responded when finally free. Ira Berlin sets the stage by stressing the relationship between how we understand slavery and how we discuss race today. The remaining essays offer a richly textured examination of all aspects of slavery in America. John Hope Franklin and Loren Schweninger recount actual cases of runaway slaves; their motivations for escape and the strains this widespread phenomenon put on white slave-owners. Scott Hancock explores how free black Northerners created a proud African American identity out of the oral history of slavery in the south. Edward L. Ayers; William G. Thomas III; and Anne Sarah Rubin draw upon their remarkable Valley of the Shadow website to describe the wartime experiences of African Americans living on both borders of the Mason-Dixon line. Noah Andre Trudeau turns our attention to the war itself; examining the military experience of the only all-black division in the Army of the Potomac. And Eric Foner gives us a new look at how black leaders performed during the Reconstruction; revealing that they were far more successful than is commonly acknowledged--indeed; they represented; for a time; the fulfillment of the American ideal that all people could aspire to political office. Wide-ranging; authoritative; and filled with invaluable historical insight; Slavery; Resistance; Freedom brings a host of powerful voices to America's evolving conversation about race.
#313254 in Books Jenkins Philip 2008-11-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.70 x .80 x 8.90l; .85 #File Name: 0195368517272 pagesThe New Faces of Christianity Believing the Bible in the Global South
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Fresh Perspective on a Wider ChristianityBy SteveAn eye-opening look at the explosive growth of the church in Central-South America; Africa; and Asia (the Pacific Rim). Tectonic shifts in numbers; influence; doctrine and practice are virtually inevitable. Jenkins gives the Western church (Europe and North America) a heads-up on the coming wave of change. If you are interested in international missions this is a "must read."0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Compelling Description of Global ChristianityBy N. SmithThe New Faces of Christianity does a wonderful job of portraying the diversity - in faithfulness; maturity; and traditions - within global Christianity. There are many weaknesses; many deep and troubling problems in the churches in Asia and Africa. (Though; as Jenkins is quick to point out; there are plenty of problems in the Western church as well.) At the same time; there are large and growing expressions of historic Christian orthodoxy - often as a result of many of these cultures not suffering the effects of the Enlightenment. The global church never thinks to doubt the supernatural; communal; and public aspects of the Christian faith. Jenkins paints compelling pictures of the churches in Africa; for example; giving a central place to church community; to the public reading of Scripture; and to the implications of the Christian faith for all of life.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. New Knowledge on a Critical TopicBy D. MullerJenkins' treatment of the emerging shape of Christianity in Africa and Asia (not much on Latin America) is a major contribution in several respects:- Following on his previous book; The Next Christendom; it's an eye-opener on the astonishing growth of Christianity in the global South. Many think that Christianity is nearly unique to the Americas and Europe: there is much more happening; and it is encouraging.- Theologically; the book provides insights on the Bible as it is read in Africa and Asia that provide rich new perspectives for our own Bible study in the West. New insight into the universality of the biblical message.- One must ask what are the implications for Christian missions launched from the West. Do Africa and Asia still need us to teach them the Word? They are well on their way; and indeed are evangelizing in Europe and America themselves.Tremendously thought-provoking and worthwhile. A major contribution to the field.
