At a time when slavery was spreading and the country was steeped in racism; two white men and two black men overcame social barriers and mistrust to form a unique alliance that sought nothing less than the end of all evil. Drawing on the largest extant bi-racial correspondence in the Civil War era; John Stauffer braids together these men's struggles to reconcile ideals of justice with the reality of slavery and oppression. Who could imagine that Gerrit Smith; one of the richest men in the country; would give away his wealth to the poor and ally himself with Frederick Douglass; an ex-slave? And why would James McCune Smith; the most educated black man in the country; link arms with John Brown; a bankrupt entrepreneur; along with the others? Distinguished by their interracial bonds; they shared a millennialist vision of a new world where everyone was free and equal. As the nation headed toward armed conflict; these men waged their own war by establishing model interracial communities; forming a new political party; and embracing violence. Their revolutionary ethos bridged the divide between the sacred and the profane; black and white; masculine and feminine; and civilization and savagery that had long girded western culture. In so doing; it embraced a malleable and "black-hearted" self that was capable of violent revolt against a slaveholding nation; in order to usher in a kingdom of God on earth. In tracing the rise and fall of their prophetic vision and alliance; Stauffer reveals how radical reform helped propel the nation toward war even as it strove to vanquish slavery and preserve the peace.
#944183 in Books 1997-01-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.90 x .60 x 5.30l; .40 #File Name: 0673992934179 pages
Review
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. very interestingBy Edward M. StewartI had to read this book for a history 101 class. I enjoyed reading it. It is very interesting.0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Bio of Sam Adams by my former professorBy Laura C. GuinanCame on time. Quality as advertised.2 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Slightly wrong description of Sam AdamsBy littleoldladyVery much looking forward to getting my own copy of this book. However; whoever wrote the book's description erred greatly in stating that Samuel Adams became a president of the United States. He NEVER became president! His second cousin; John Adams; became the second president; and John's son; John Quincy Adams; also became president of the United States. But please; folks; get your history straight! Sam Adams was quite the firebrand; but not the president.
