In Down by the Riverside; Charles Joyner takes readers on a journey back in time; up the Waccamaw River through the Lowcountry of South Carolina; past abandoned rice fields once made productive by the labor of enslaved Africans; past rice mills and forest clearings into the antebellum world of All Saints Parish. In this slave community; and many others like it; the slaves created a new language; a new religion--indeed; a new culture--from African traditions and American circumstances.From the letters; diaries; and memoirs of the plantation whites and their guests; from quantitative analysis of census and probate records; and above all from slave folklore and oral history; Joyner has recovered an entire society and its way of life. His careful reconstruction of daily life in All Saints Parish is an inspiring testimony to the ingenuity and solidarity of a people who endured in the face of adversity.This anniversary edition of Joyner's landmark study includes a new introduction in which the author recounts his process of writing the book; reflects on its critical and popular reception; and surveys the path of scholarship in slave history in the decades since the book's first publication.
#1416922 in Books 2000-07-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.00 x 6.00l; 1.11 #File Name: 0252069242376 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Overall a useful narrative on the land development of IllinoisBy Smiling composterOverall a useful narrative on the land development of Illinois; Missouri; and down to Louisiana. Contrasts are also made with the French settlements developed around the Great Lakes. Unfortunately; the book is somewhat repetitive in areas. Particularly when describing French land ownership practices. Explaining the customary methods 5 or 6 times over three chapters really is unnecessary. This is a far cry from an historical novel; so if you want easy entertaining reading; look elsewhere. However; if you want well sourced dry facts with a good bibliography; this is the book for you! Quite informative; if you can keep at it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A well-written academic history of the French settlement in the US. Midwest.By CustomerThis is very well-written but a bit arcane and academic for most readers.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Another gem by Ekberg!By PeterWonderfully written study of French colonial life in the Illinois Country. Much like his study on Colonial Ste. Genevieve; it is a must-have for students and scholars of the region/era.
