This definitive work; a crown jewel in the distinguished career of Russian America scholar Lydia Black; presents a comprehensive story of the Russian presence in America from the point of view of social anthropology and ethnohistory. Drawing on extensive archival research and especially on documents only recently declassified in Russia; Black shows how the expansion into lands beyond Russia's Pacific shore was the culmination of a centuries-old movement of peoples originally from the Russian north; a movement more mercantile than military. Black counters the stereotypical depiction of the Russian period in Alaska as a time of unbridled exploitation of the Native inhabitants and pillaging of the land's resources. Without glossing over the harsher aspects of the Russian period in Alaska; or the sometimes mutual incomprehension that clouded the interactions of Native Americans and Russians; she presents a far more complicated--and certainly more accurate--portrait of their interrelationship. Going beyond governmental policies; she focuses on the actions of ordinary Russian men and women in Alaska; and neither romanticizes nor chastises their actions. She clearly sets forth who they were; precisely what they did; their aims; the immediate and distant consequences of their actions; and how imperial governmental considerations; dictated by geopolitical struggles of the time; affected their destinies. This deluxe volume features fold-out maps and color illustrations of rare paintings and sketches from Russia and North America; many of them never-before published. A jewel for historians; Russians in Alaska will also be the go-to text for all Alaskans; visitors; and readers interested in thisimportant period under the Russian flag. A tribute to Black's life as a public and university educator; it is an essential text that will inspire yet another generation of students both inside the classroom and out.
#2303881 in Books Missouri History Museum Press 2005-05-01Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x 1.00 x 8.00l; 1.70 #File Name: 1883982537220 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great read of a difficult time in historyBy JSPtThis book is a compelling story of Malindy as told by her daughter to her daughter; Mildred. When Mildred promised her mother that she would insure that her grandmother's story was told to the world; a great adventure began for Mildred and most of all; Theresa. Mildred's oral story was ten handwritten pages when recounted to Theresa who then researched and added many more details of history as it related to Native Americans; African Americans and white Americans in the mid- nineteenth century. The original manuscript had many historical details which were cut from the book particularly relating to President Lincoln. Mildred worked for the Symmington family and they helped edit the story. The result is an amazing book about a family's history which is both disturbing and very reaffirming. I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE interested in the American past! It is a wonderful true story of a strong woman who lived within the law when that law was often times against her and yet her family's goodness triumphs in the long run. Theresa lives two blocks from me and the story is great! I highly recommend!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Awesome bookBy Dag Kraft-LundHistorical book about a slave family in Missouri. The starts with a Cherokee woman taken as a slave and loosing their property; then get married to a black slave. Well written! The story starts around 1850. If you interesting in history and how life was for slaves - this book is a must4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A Moving; Information and Inspiration StoryBy sam HemmedWhen I started reading Malindy's Freedom; I could not put the book down. The story was so well written and descriptive. It is a book for all times and races. It is about loving; family unity and unfortunately about a terrible time in American's history -that peculiar institution called slavery. The way the authors wrote the book dealt with the human condition and how inspite of extreme hardships; the human spirit prevails through all the diversity. Malindy and her family emerges victoriously with love still in tact. The book also explores a period of the State of Missouri's history that many folk do not know about. I recommend this book highly for it is a book about family and how the human spirit thrives and overcomes difficult times. It is a excellent historical account with good research.History gives us information to look at what happened and how it has shaped our lives today. With this information; there is an opportunity for us to not repeat the mistakes that some of ancestors made; and draw from the strengths of many of our ancestors who did live their lives to make a difference for all mankind. This book has inspired me more so than ever to make a difference. This book is a classic and should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for literature for it promotes; love; spirituality; forgiveness and understanding.
