Few Americans; black or white; recognize the degree to which early African American history is a maritime history. W. Jeffrey Bolster shatters the myth that black seafaring in the age of sail was limited to the Middle Passage. Seafaring was one of the most significant occupations among both enslaved and free black men between 1740 and 1865. Tens of thousands of black seamen sailed on lofty clippers and modest coasters. They sailed in whalers; warships; and privateers. Some were slaves; forced to work at sea; but by 1800 most were free men; seeking liberty and economic opportunity aboard ship. Bolster brings an intimate understanding of the sea to this extraordinary chapter in the formation of black America. Because of their unusual mobility; sailors were the eyes and ears to worlds beyond the limited horizon of black communities ashore. Sometimes helping to smuggle slaves to freedom; they were more often a unique conduit for news and information of concern to blacks. But for all its opportunities; life at sea was difficult. Blacks actively contributed to the Atlantic maritime culture shared by all seamen; but were often outsiders within it. Capturing that tension; Black Jacks examines not only how common experiences drew black and white sailors together--even as deeply internalized prejudices drove them apart--but also how the meaning of race aboard ship changed with time. Bolster traces the story to the end of the Civil War; when emancipated blacks began to be systematically excluded from maritime work. Rescuing African American seamen from obscurity; this stirring account reveals the critical role sailors played in helping forge new identities for black people in America. An epic tale of the rise and fall of black seafaring; Black Jacks is African Americans' freedom story presented from a fresh perspective.
#189106 in Books 2011-09-30 2011-08-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.94 x .92 x 5.93l; 1.08 #File Name: 0674061853336 pages
Review
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Great Historical ReferenceBy HeatherI am currently putting together a literature review for my Graduate Thesis about women and war in American History with a focus on violence towards military women. I have found very few sources that articulate violence against women prior to the Vietnam War; especially violence towards women that are; presumably; on the same side. What is most significant about the violence that southern women suffered at the hands of northern soldiers is that these men were; supposedly; fighting to end slavery and yet they were raping enslaved women.It is important; as another reviewer stated; that history of violence in this country; and my concern here is violence towards women; not be forgotten because the "Good ole Days" were generally only good for middle and upper class white men.This book is well researched and well written. What most amazes me; however; is that the author paints a vivd picture of the horrors suffered not only by black women of the ninteenth and early twentieth century; but white southern women as well. The author has laid out a model that I hope to be able to follow as I get deeper ionto my research; and that is looking at history from more than one angle.9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. A Horrifying Period in AmericaBy John R. SpencerI realize that the book is intended as a scholarly analysis of "women and the politics of rape and lynching."But; as I was reading through; I could not help but keep coming back to thinking just how carefully one must think through when engaging in any conversation about the 'gool old days.' As the young people say: To "keep it real" even the bad must be considered when discussing the old days.An excellent juxtaposition/comparison of the two ladies: Ida B. Wells and Rebecca Felton and their handling of the position of women (and race) in an era where the two factors were so intertwined. Such that the position of women and race could get one ("justifiably") killed. Let's not repeat such a period.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy KathrynThis book is very informative
