When Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860 prompted several Southern states to secede; the North was sharply divided over how to respond. In this groundbreaking and highly praised book; McClintock follows the decision-making process from bitter partisan rancor to consensus. From small towns to big cities and from state capitals to Washington; D.C.; McClintock highlights individuals both powerful and obscure to demonstrate the ways ordinary citizens; party activists; state officials; and national leaders interacted to influence the Northern response to what was essentially a political crisis. He argues that although Northerners' reactions to Southern secession were understood and expressed through partisan newspapers and officials; the decision fell into the hands of an ever-smaller group of people until finally it was Lincoln alone who would choose whether the future of the American republic was to be determined through peace or by sword.
#935019 in Books Sharon Block 2006-09-04 2006-09-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x .73 x 6.10l; .98 #File Name: 0807857610296 pagesRape and Sexual Power in Early America
Review
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful. interesting and valuable resourceBy JillThe title is a little provocative; but the core material is factual;readable; relevant to issues we understand from 'today'. Value this resource.It's one of a kind.13 of 15 people found the following review helpful. So very happy to not encounter any family names here...By SCMI represented victims of sexual assaults in civil actions; until about three years ago. I'd become very disillusioned with what I had been doing.Something interesting happened as I read this book; that I wasn't expecting. I came away with a sense of pride in the legal profession; for women's rights activists and victims' rights activists; for the powerful legal protections in place for victims today. When I represented victims in civil cases; we were suing for money. Why? Because that's all our courts are set up for; justice is a lovely concept; but try collecting it from a defendant. Money is great; but as I told many clients; it will not fix them. It will not undo the rape. It will pay for therapy and lost wages; but it isn't the end. There is no closure at the end of the court case; just a piece of paper (the judgment) and a check (if lucky).But.We've come a long way. Legally; that is. Socially; not so much (if you have ever read the comments following a news story about a rape; you will understand what I mean).There are still idiots who believe that rape victims can't get pregnant. (In the eighteenth century; it was believed a woman had to climax in order to become pregnant.)Rape victims still must make the painful decision about whether to come forward (which is very traumatic; even with counselors and support); their reaction to an assault has as much to do with social standing; race; and relative power now as it did in the early Republic.Then; as now; most women disclose to a trusted female friend first.Then; as now; many women delay reporting.Then; as now; many women wonder if they did something to provoke the attack. Their friends or family may make devastating comments that make them feel culpable for the attack--and this may make the difference between reporting and not reporting.Then; as now; the character of the victim is maligned.But.But now we have rape shield laws. We have advocates for victims. We have expert witnesses who can explain to juries why victims may take years to report an assault.We have; to a certain degree; moved forward on this issue. We aren't so far from where we were in the eighteenth century; but it has gotten better.And you know what? You have lawyers to thank for it. Go team JD.22 of 23 people found the following review helpful. Everything you wanted to know . . .By Jon WienerEverything you wanted to know about rape in early America but were afraid to ask. Where did the colonists draw the line between consensual and coerced sex? Where did they draw the line between coerced sex and the crime of rape? In answering these questions; Sharon Block shows how race and class determined the power that men had to avoid prosecution; and the power that women had to seek protection. She knows that study of the legal records is necessary but not sufficient; so she explores how early Americans wrote about rape in diaries; fiction; political propaganda; travel writing; and humor. In short: a brilliant book.
