David Walker's Appeal is a landmark work of American history and letters; the most radical piece of writing by an African American in the nineteenth century. Startling in its intensity; unrelenting in its attacks on slavery and white racism; it alarmed Southern slaveholders; inspired Northern abolitionists; and hastened the sectional conflicts that led to the Civil War. In this new edition of the Appeal; the distinguished historian Sean Wilentz draws on a generation of innovative research to throw fresh light on Walker's life and ideas--and their enduring importance.
#396688 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 2008-02-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x .80 x 6.10l; .92 #File Name: 0807859168288 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Telling hard truths in public history settingsBy K. NettlesSlavery and Public History: The Tough Stuff of American Memory is a collection of essays about the dilemmas of race; slavery; and the public memory of slavery. The first three essays are high-altitude assessments. Ira Berlin begins with a history of slavery and explains the importance of this history; and memories of this history; to contemporary debates about race. David Blight examines the relationship between history and memory and warns that historians cannot afford to discount the power that collective memory hold in group and cultural identification. John Horton concludes with an examination of the limitations and challenges to discussion of slavery in educational and public history settings. The subsequent essays move in for a closer look at contemporary resistance to a more accurate history of slavery and individual case studies of attempts to incorporate the story of slavery into existing sites.David Blight’s essay on the interplay between memory and history is one of the strongest in the collection; bringing in an inter-disciplinary perspective to the question. His primary sources include St. Augustine; W.E.B. DuBois; and Frederick Douglas; seeking their perspective on memory. An important secondary source is sociologist Maurice Hablwachs’ “The Collective Memory;†which analyzes the relationship of individual and collective memory and explores how it is used to create and change cultural identity. Memory and Identity: The History of a Relationship; by John R. Gillis continues the discussion in terms of national identity. Cynthia Ozick; in Metaphor and Memory; warns that history can be weak in the face of myth and its oracles; historians cannot ignore the risks of avoiding engagement and thus abandoning the field to the inspirations of Delphi.The case studies were useful as starting points for discussion; it would be interesting to follow up to see how things stand a decade after publication of this book. Has progress been made; if so; how and why have these sites succeeded? In a similar vein; has the SCV’s interpretation adapted to new information – and if not; why?2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great; honest; and fair! A must read for anyone interested in race and slavery in America!By D. J. C.Wow! I got this book for research but instead of just researching bits out of the book I read it; and I couldn't put it down! Slavery is a dark spot on our nations history; but we have to learn to come together as a society to discuss it openly and fairly. Slavery defined race in America; and it created the racial divide we have today. We will never heal the discord in our country until we learn to come to grips with its root cause. This; this book; is a great starting point to beginning that discussion.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The Tough Stuff; is rightBy Bob JohnsonThis is history that is difficult to interpret but I believe we have a responsibility to do just that. History cannot be just the great heroes and the nice stuff. Dr. Horton is a scholar and a teacher who helps bring to light the truth and history should always be about the truth. Whether people like it or not we must do our best to tell the real story.
