This book is a study of the shifts in historical context of ritual observances from Vedic to Puranic traditions. It looks into the representations of women in early textual traditions to explore how women's identities are not only established in ritual spaces but are also constantly reworked and negotiated. It is in this context that this book attempts to're-read' the Matsyamahapurana and through the study of vratas and myths; reconstruct the anxieties that theological traditions have with regard to women and women's responses to these anxieties. Patriarchal traditions have never remained frozen; they constantly reinvent themselves to deal with the negotiations and contestations that women make. It is these very traditions then; which; when read carefully; tell us about women and the challenges that they constantly put to theological traditions. The book will revise our understanding of later Vedic and Puranic texts as well as provide a deeper understanding of the gender roles that evolved during this time period.
#85614 in Books McPherson James M 2015-03-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.40 x 1.00 x 9.20l; 1.19 #File Name: 0199375771232 pagesThe War That Forged a Nation Why the Civil War Still Matters
Review
95 of 100 people found the following review helpful. Forget the subtitle - read this for McPherson's insightful essays.By FanThe War That Forged a Nation: Why the Civil War Still Matters is a collection of essays by author James McPherson; who is considered one of the preeminent scholars on the subject. His Pulitzer Prize winning Battle Cry of Freedom is still considered to be the definitive book on the Civil War.With the exception of two chapters; the essays have all been previously published and cover a multitude of aspects of the conflict. Each is well written and informative but as some others have noted don't really answer the central question posed by the subtitle.McPherson fans will have likely already read most of the material here but for others; there is much to be learned in the vignettes. But I think the subtitle does the book a disservice since it is not an accurate representation of its contents and anyone looking for an answer to that question; particularly in light of the tension-filled race relations of today; will be left wondering why the Civil War still matters.If you forget about the subtitle and read this as an introduction to McPherson's insightful essays on the Civil War; you will not be disappointed.84 of 89 people found the following review helpful. The chapter on the Mexican War and the conflict over the expansion of slavery into the territories was one of the best sectionsBy Ms WinstonJames McPherson has compiled a series of short essays; some never before published; on the issue of why; 150 years after it ended; the American Civil War still resonates in the memory of many Americans. 2015 marks the end of the 150th anniversary observances; yet I believe that interest in the war (the causes of the war; the events of the war itself; and the aftermath) has never been higher. As the author points out; correctly in my estimation; the interest now is far more intense than it was in the 1960s when the 100th anniversary was observed. As some one who was in high school and college during that time period; I remember that current events overshadowed the observance -- the Civil Rights movement; the Cuban Missile Crisis; the death of President John F Kennedy; followed by the murders of Martin Luther King Jr and Robert Kennedy. McPherson touches on these issues very briefly and also mentions the 13th and 14 Amendments to the Constitution; the latter of which still can cause controversy today; as provisions have been applied to the American-born children ("anchor babies") of people who have entered the United States illegally.McPherson in some regards brushes over the issue of secession as though it were; in his words; a "settled matter;" but as one who regularly visits Civil War web sites and blogs; I can tell you that for some the issue is still as alive today as it was in 1860. There are even people today who question that the U.S. Constitution is a binding document because the original intent of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia was to amend the Articles of Confederation. They are sometimes the same people who denigrate Lincoln as a "dictator" and they are not confined to the southern states; but rather represent a political point of view that; in my opinion; is antithetical to the aims of the original Republican Party. This is an issue that could have been covered in real depth in this book; but was not. It; along with the 20th century near deification of Confederate General R. E. Lee and the denigration of Union General U. Grant; has been explored in greater depth in other works; but are glossed over in McPherson's latest book.The chapter on the Mexican War and the conflict over the expansion of slavery into the territories was one of the best sections of the book; as the compromisers (Henry Clay being the most famous) began to fall away; either due to death or what some have said was just people getting tired of talking to each other and never getting a permanent fix. The fact that pro-slavery Southerners dominated in so many aspects of national government; coupled with weak presidents; is covered fairly extensively for such a slender book. The section on the concept of a just war is covered as well -- the justification for going to war and the conduct during the war. In the popular imagination; Union General Sherman generally gets the brunt of criticism for the famous march to the sea; while the average person probably knows little or nothing about the massacre of the United States Colored Troops by confederate troops at Ft Pillow and at Petersburg. McPherson points out that in the case of Ft Pillow confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest was present and did not stop his troops; any more than did Lee in the aftermath of the Battle of the Crater. The issue of civilian casualties vs military casualties; one of the reasons why Sherman's march tends to linger in the popular imagination; is covered briefly.McPherson explores the always controversial issue of Lincoln and his views on slavery; which is still today being debated in some quarters. Those who dislike Lincoln tend to endlessly comb his writings and what he said; or was supposed to have said; about "the Negro race" as it was called then. Was Lincoln a racist is discussed is discussed in this chapter; although not in depth because it is a short book; with what I see as McPherson coming down on the side of "no; he was not;" but rather a political strategist .. a point of view that Frederick Douglass came to appreciate in his later years. There are other chapters on military aspects that those who are interested in the battles over the political and social aspects on the conflict will perhaps enjoy more and have your own set of opinions to debate.While I give this book four stars; I think that I am somewhat disappointed that more links to the controversies of today were not explored by the author. The election of the first bi-racial president in 2008; while of great important; has not brought about the post-racial society that many though it would..and race has once again become a major political and social issue in the 21st century. I recommend this book as a jumping off place for more in depth discussions of the war and its continued resonance in our country.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Concisely Written Impressively ResearchedBy Jim BrownJames McPherson’s newest work is a concise collection of highly analytical essays over his career. He covers many topics in under 200 pages—this is not a survey history of the American Civil War; rather; it is an analytical one with insightful perspectives and strong research.In the first few chapters; McPherson comes across attacking other historians’ works and theses. He makes strong arguments and supports his points; but I was hoping he delved from this approach; which he does after the first three chapters.From then on; he largely supports others’ work and analyzes it through his own historical perspective. As a longtime McPherson fan; I admire his ability to write concisely without missing a beat. I really enjoyed this work—one reason is because I’ve read several of the works he consistently cites in these essays. The ones I did not read I readily ordered and will read soon. However; if you do not have the time to read those works; McPherson’s analysis should provide you with a thesis for each work at the very least.Some chapters of note:McPherson’s first chapter “Why the Civil War Still Matters†connects the Civil War and its ensuing three amendments to the US Constitution throughout history to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and to today.Chapters five and six focus on the much-ignored American navies and its two most overlooked admirals; David Dixon Porter and more so David Glasgow Farragut.Chapters seven through eleven involve Lincoln and McPherson takes a different angle on the president in each—these essays are impressive. McPherson analyzes Lincoln’s use of executive power and whether it was justified; Lincoln’s effectiveness as a military man and commander in chief; and Lincoln’s war strategy and how it changed throughout the war. He also focuses on Lincoln’s feud with McClelland and highlights McClellan’s private letters that shed light on his flawing character and military career.Lastly; his final chapter encapsulates the Reconstruction Era with concisely written research; including the rise of the KKK and the racial divide in Illinois even when it was an anti-slavery state.If you enjoyed this work I highly recommend reading another collection of his essays from a few years ago titled “This Mighty Scourge: Perspectives on the Civil War.†This one features shorter essays but covers much more content.
