Draws on mid-seventeenth to nineteenth-century slave narratives to describe oppression in the lives of enslaved African women. Investigates pre-colonial West and West Central African women's lives prior to European arrival to recover the cultural traditions and religious practices that helped enslaved women combat violence and oppression.
#235635 in Books Palgrave Macmillan 2012-08-21 2012-08-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 228.60 x .75 x 6.00l; .99 #File Name: 0230338763272 pages
Review
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful. Solid scholarship; highly readableBy D. W. ChambersRobert Williams is a major scholar; and this book will only enhance is already considerable reputation. This is one of those grand histories of European thought that begins with the ancient Greek invention of the idea of the savage; following the development of this concept right down to the present; where it is still being used "to justify violations of the most basic human rights". His analytical and carefully reasoned account is essential to understanding the modern perpetuation of stereotypes; especially in the Native American context.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. a disturbing conundrumBy michael b. rosenzweigThe author uses his clear erudition to force the reader to to face the hard question of one's baked in prejudices that are used by "special interests" to enrich themselves at the expense of the powerless. A more broadly applicable question in this country than just Indian rights. The book reads a bit like a legal brief but the author's deep knowledge of the history and his revealing the clay feet of our leading lights in our part of this history make it worth reading.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A clearly written summary (~250 pgs) of how ideas regarding ...By BoboA clearly written summary (~250 pgs) of how ideas regarding the simple; uncivilized; lawless; propertyless; pure; uncorrupted; erotic and exotic savage; perceived as outside of; and threatening to; western civilization; has influenced how europeans and their settlers justified and understood expansion against; and suppression of; the 'savages' from ancient Athens to modern America; Australia and Canada.
