Serfdom and Slavery compares the two forms of legal servitude in cultures in Western civilization; in Europe and the New World from ancient times to the modern period. Within a tightly controlled framework of general contextual chapters followed by specific case studies; a distinguished team of scholars offers 17 specially written essays that illuminate the nature; development; impact and termination of serfdom and slavery in European society. While the case studies range form classical Greece to early modern Brandenburg; and from medieval England to nineteenth-century Russia; the volume as a whole is closely integrated. It makes an important contribution to a topic of increasing international interest.
#4444505 in Books 1997-05-01 1997-05-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 #File Name: 0563387645192 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. John Cabot to N. America for England; 1497By GderfMore more than Cabot's voyages to N. America; the book relates career of Cabot to those of Columbus; Cortes and Pizarro. Others of interest are Alonso de la Hojeda and cartographer Juan de la Costa. The Treaty of Tordesillas precluded Cabot from following the Spanish South of Plymouth latitude. Conflict with the Hanseatic League was also a factor. Compared with Columbus' voyage; Cabot took the shorter but more violent route to Newfoundland and Labrador.Firstbrook cites Cabot as the first European to set foot on N. America although speculating on possible landings during explorations of Greenland by the Irish St Brendon and the Viking; Erik the Red. There is small mention of Sir Humphry Gilbert landing on Newfoundland in 1483. The book includes navigation limitations imposed by climate change in the intervening centuries. Firstbrook cites interesting sources such as 16th century writer Richard Hakluyt and spy John Day who found a map attributed to Cabot's exploration.Cabot's son Sebastian engaged in self promotion; ignoring contribution of his father who has subsequently taken a backseat in history to the Spanish explorers. French historians give more credit to Jacques Cartier who discovered the St. Lawrence waterway in 1534.In 1996 a version of Cabot's flagship; the Matthew; built for a voyage featured on BBC; was patterned after the Mary Rose raised a few years previously. There is an appendix containing a chronology. Another; for the serious student; contains contemporary letters from historical archives in England; Italy and Spain. This well researched book is very enjoyable to read.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Entertaining; Informative and EnlighteningBy A CustomerJohn Cabot and the Matthew are to Newfoundlanders and Canadians what Christopher Columbus and the Santa Maria are to Americans. When the modern replica of Giovanni Caboto's (Cabot's Italian name) caravel Matthew visited our shores in 1997 to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the originals voyage; I was smitten! The fact that it was the 20th Century; and not the 15th; didn't detract from the realism of the reinactment of John Cabot's transatlantic crossing of 1497. The modern crew battled north atlantic gales; encountered icebergs and vast fogbanks; much as had Cabot's crew of 500 years previous. On June 24th; 1997 amidst freezing temperatures and a howling gale; 500 years to the day after the original Matthew landed in Bonavista; the modern replica sailed out of a fog bank at landed at the very spot where Cabot reportedly first sighted land! After 53 days at sea in oftentimes trying conditions; the mostly novice crew; ranging in age from 20 years to 77; managed to sail their tiny replica ship from Bristol; England to Newfoundland and into the hearts of all Newfoundlanders. Fisrstbrook's book chronicles the birth of the idea for the recreation of Cabot's historic voyage through to the ships design and construction and her sea trials in 1996/97. Also; the book deals with the medeival world of late 15th century Europe that spawned such explorers as Columbus; Cabot and Corte Real as well as the historical facts surrounding Cabot's three voyages. Firstbrook also entertains the various theories dealing with Cabot's subsequent disappearance during his mysterious and ill-fated third voyage of 1498. For anyone interested in sailing ships; or history; or just an interesting read; this is an excellent book. The book is a companion to a BBC TV documentary which coincided with the Matthew replica's voyage in May/June of 1997. I haven't had the opportunity to see this series; as it has yet to be carried by local television unfortunately. For those who may tend towards the actual adventure of sailing a replica of a 15th century caravel across the stormy North Atlantic during one of the worst times of the year; I recommend "Bound Down for Newfoundland; the Diary of a Young Seaman Aboard the Matthew" by crewman Chris Legrow. You'll feel the stiff salt breeze reading this one!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. excellentBy Estha PandoThe book was in excellent condition. My daughter and I used it for a report in school. It served our purpose well.
