Sojourner Truth: ex-slave and fiery abolitionist; figure of imposing physique; riveting preacher and spellbinding singer who dazzled listeners with her wit and originality. Straight talking and unsentimental; Truth became a national symbol for strong black women - indeed; for all strong women. Like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass; she is regarded as a radical of immense and enduring influence; yet unlike them; what is remembered of her consists more of myth than of historical fact. Now; in a masterful blend of scholarship and sympathetic understanding; eminent historian Nell Irvin Painter goes beyond the myths; words; and photographs to uncover the life of a complex woman who was born into slavery and died a legend. Inspired by religion; Truth transformed herself from a domestic servant named Isabella into an itinerant Pentecostal preacher; her words of empowerment have inspired black women and poor people the world over to this day. As an abolitionist and a feminist; Truth defied the stereotype of "the slave" as male and "the woman" as white - expounding a fact that still bears repeating: among blacks there are women; among women; there are blacks.
#71123 in Books Victor Hanson 2001-04-17 2001-04-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.98 x 1.01 x 5.18l; .89 #File Name: 0385720599496 pagesThe Soul of Battle From Ancient Times to the Present Day How Three Great Liberators Vanquished Tyranny
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A mind-opening bookBy Stephen ChakwinThis is the kind of book that throws off ideas like sparks from a sparkler. On its surface; it is a sober; if not solemn; examination of how three great generals (Epaminondas; a Theban; Sherman; a Union general; and Patton; in Europe in World War II) commanding forces made up of free men from democratic societies were able to achieve great results against adversaries who were supposedly very powerful; but who were representatives of slave societies and whose power turned out to be less than expected. Hanson argues that the moral power of an army that comes to realize that it is fighting on the side of good against true evil is beyond what could be expected from the sheer numbers. Also; that the forces of evil -- the parasite warriors of Sparta; the oligarchs of the Confederacy who fed the ordinary people into the furnace of battle while protecting themselves and their goods; the madmen of Nazi Germany -- often turn out to be less formidable than one would expect; perhaps because they realize on some level their own moral inferiority or that there is something special about the forces confronting them. Hanson is writing as a military historian (he is a classics professor in a local college in California); but he is not really very interested in the nitty-gritty of exactly how phalanxes worked or what Patton had to do to flummox the Germans. Also; he is a little too reliant on dubious sources such as Goldhagen's polemical indictment of all of the German populace. Yet; he is bright; articulate; and on to something that seems to have gotten past the military technologists: there is something larger than sheer skill and numbers that can sometimes make a difference in how humans on both sides of a battle or a war respond to what they're doing and an army that understands that it is fighting for higher human values against a dehumanizing enemy; like the Spartans; the Confederate slaveholders or the Nazis can do wonders. Also; another point often overlooked in our late 20th century world view; is that leaders who can focus and direct this moral energy are both rare and terribly important. This is a book that should be part of every high school history curriculum and that should be read by every thinking adult. The moral dimension of war (and; by extension; of all that we do in the world) is often either overlooked or handed over to zealots or pious frauds. Hanson is a clear-eyed and down to earth thinker and writer. There are some things he just doesn't get; such as why Alexander really was Great and some basics of proofreading; but this is a fine book that should turn into a historical (dare I say philosophical?) classic. If you want to learn from history and/or are a student of human behavior (are these different?) this book is one that you must read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This was a great comparison/contrast of three great generalsBy BeezThis was a great comparison/contrast of three great generals; spanning the centuries. It also does a great job explaining how to motivate those around you; elevating the 'moral' back to a high ground. Very insightful; thought-provoking; and well-worth the read.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Thought-provoking but a tad repetitiousBy physics studentThis is an interesting and thought-provoking book. It brings to light little-known facts about three important warriors; and is probably the most coherent account of WIlliam Sherman that I have read; more insightful even than the excellent biography of Sherman; "A Soldier's Passion for Order". There is perhaps a willingness to push opinions to extemes - it seems unlikely to me that Alexander's campaigns; or those of Napoleon or even of Julius Caesar were entirely expressions of their commanders' egotism without any moral component; for instance.Hanson's views of Spartan society and of antebellum Southern society are dark indeed; but I think that he supports them well enough. The evil of Nazi government needs no elaboration.Hanson; as one might expect; writes well; and yet ... I wouldn't say that he is exactly repetitious; but he will discuss a subject; go off on another; and then circle back to the first; adding new information and insight. It is an imperfect style; but it does get across a complex of information in a way that a more linear approach might not.
