“A subtle; important; theoretically innovative; and elegantly written study that centralizes feminist thinking and shows why it matters.†—Feminist AfricaIn Idi Amin’s Shadow is a rich social history examining Ugandan women’s complex and sometimes paradoxical relationship to Amin’s military state. Based on more than one hundred interviews with women who survived the regime; as well as a wide range of primary sources; this book reveals how the violence of Amin’s militarism resulted in both opportunities and challenges for women. Some assumed positions of political power or became successful entrepreneurs; while others endured sexual assault or experienced the trauma of watching their brothers; husbands; or sons “disappeared†by the state’s security forces. In Idi Amin’s Shadow considers the crucial ways that gender informed and was informed by the ideology and practice of militarism in this period. By exploring this relationship; Alicia C. Decker offers a nuanced interpretation of Amin’s Uganda and the lives of the women who experienced and survived its violence. Each chapter begins with the story of one woman whose experience illuminates some larger theme of the book. In this way; it becomes clear that the politics of military rule were highly relevant to women and gender relations; just as the politics of gender were central to militarism. By drawing upon critical security studies; feminist studies; and violence studies; Decker demonstrates that Amin’s dictatorship was far more complex and his rule much more strategic than most observers have ever imagined.
#285345 in Books Patrick Rael 2015-08-15 2015-08-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .78 x 5.91l; .0 #File Name: 0820348392416 pagesEighty Eight Years The Long Death of Slavery in the United States 1777 1865 Race in the Atlantic World 1700 1900
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A Major New BookBy Kenneth W. NoeThe last few years have seen the publication of several absolutely crucial and much-discussed books that together are forcing scholars to reassess the reality of slavery in the United States. In various ways those volumes put American slavery at the heart of international capitalism and the so-called "industrial revolution." This volume adds to that vital bookshelf. Although he is less interested in the "capitalism and slavery" argument than some scholars; Patrick Rael's sure-handed grasp of slavery and abolition throughout the Americas allows him to provide a similar; welcome international context for further understanding the experience of ending slavery in the United States. The latter chapters also contribute importantly to another overdue; recent development; the growing trend among American Civil War historians to resist parochial narrowness and understand the conflict as a world event. Written in elegant and powerful prose; this is a significant book that deserves a wide audience.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Quite Interesting and InformativeBy Theodore F. SchaafQuite an interesting account of the abolition of slavery; in the entire western hemisphere; not only in the United States as the title states. There is considerable discussion of how slaves and free blacks contributed to abolition. Also a fair amount of discussion on the aftermath of slavery in the various polities.Found the history and timing of the abolition pretty informative. The first jurisdiction to abolish slavery was Vermont (1777) the last was Brazil (1880). The story is complex and informative.
