The American Crucible furnishes a vivid and authoritative history of the rise and fall of slavery in the Americas. For over three centuries enslavement promoted the rise of capitalism in the Atlantic world. The New World became the crucible for a succession of fateful experiments in colonization; silver mining; plantation agriculture; racial enslavement; colonial rebellion; slave witness and slave resistance. Slave produce raised up empires; fostered new cultures of consumption and financed the breakthrough to an industrial order. Not until the stirrings of a revolutionary age in the 1780s was there the first public challenge to the ‘peculiar institution’. An anti-slavery alliance then set the scene for great acts of emancipation in Haiti in 1804; Britain in 1833–8; the United States in the 1860s; and Cuba and Brazil in the 1880s. In The American Crucible; Robin Blackburn argues that the anti-slavery movement forged many of the ideals we live by today.‘The best treatment of slavery in the western hemisphere I know of. I think it shouldestablish itself as a permanent pillar of the literature.’ Eric HobsbawmFrom the Trade Paperback edition.
#3677004 in Books 2001-06-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .81 x 9.55 x 12.14l; #File Name: 1841880329240 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. One of the great photo essay books on BurmaBy Robert RabkinThis is a fabulous photo essay on Burma .There is nothing else like it. Photos are marvelous and the essays really paint a picture of the make p of Burma2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. unbelievably this is a book I've read twice nowBy *Anon*unbelievably this is a book I've read twice now. I had bought it for the costume details and individual details of one tribe from another but the text is so interestingly and personally human I couldn't put it down both times I picked it up....A problem I seem to have whenever I open a good book. The photography is awesome and the warmth of the people who allowed 'outsiders' in made me feel like there was hope for mankind. Of course then I turned the news on and that's why I had to read the book a second time. I'm not turning on the news any more.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This is an amazing book; with amazing photographyBy gvanThis is an amazing book; with amazing photography; and amazing subject matter. This ceremonial dress has amazing details and vivid colors. The photographs of these people will never be duplicated.Aung San Suu Kyi was the distinguished guest of Richard's at one of his photo exhibitions in Yangon; and used these photos to discuss unification of Burma. The gorgeous reproduction of these Hill Tribe people is a testament to Richard's cultural sensitivity and admiration of these vanishing people. A GREAT work!
