Recent scholarship on slavery has explored the lives of enslaved people beyond the watchful eye of their masters. Building on this work and the study of space; social relations; gender; and power in the Old South; Stephanie Camp examines the everyday containment and movement of enslaved men and; especially; enslaved women. In her investigation of the movement of bodies; objects; and information; Camp extends our recognition of slave resistance into new arenas and reveals an important and hidden culture of opposition.Camp discusses the multiple dimensions to acts of resistance that might otherwise appear to be little more than fits of temper. She brings new depth to our understanding of the lives of enslaved women; whose bodies and homes were inevitably political arenas. Through Camp's insight; truancy becomes an act of pursuing personal privacy. Illegal parties ("frolics") become an expression of bodily freedom. And bondwomen who acquired printed abolitionist materials and posted them on the walls of their slave cabins (even if they could not read them) become the subtle agitators who inspire more overt acts. The culture of opposition created by enslaved women's acts of everyday resistance helped foment and sustain the more visible resistance of men in their individual acts of running away and in the collective action of slave revolts. Ultimately; Camp argues; the Civil War years saw revolutionary change that had been in the making for decades.
#1833133 in Books 1985-02-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.10 x 6.31 x 9.35l; 1.25 #File Name: 0807816272246 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Intrepid and impetuous: Lee's gallant RamseurBy Jonathan WellerStephen Dodson Ramseur: Lee's Gallant General; by Gary Gallagher; is the most encompassing and complete biography on one of the South’s most competent generals. However; most notably; the book showcases that men like Stephen D. Ramseur were young and ambitious; and were often willing to expose themselves to danger to win acclaim and praise. Like many Civil War officers Ramseur ascended the ranks quickly by way of attrition and skill alike; both of which are showcased in grand design in this particular work. I am fairly positive that there is not another book that will offer the in-depth look at Ramseur’s life—both personal and militarily speaking; and it’s all delivered in Gallagher’s traditional free-flowing and easy to read style of writing.Gallagher’s book on Stephen Dodson Ramseur begins with the general’s birth in Lincolnton; North Carolina; in 1837; and runs all the way through Ramseur’s death at Cedar Creek in 1864. The book provides a detailed look at Ramseur’s adolescence and pre-war education at Davidson University in North Carolina; but quickly shows that the man was already entertaining thoughts about a military career at a young age. Gallagher then covers Ramseur’s career at West Point and his time in the “old army;†while explaining a burgeoning aggressive streak that would serve the general well in the coming years.When the young Confederacy was being formed; but before North Carolina seceded from the Union; Ramseur offered his services to the cause and was commissioned an officer of artillery. Soon; however; the need for experienced infantry officers outweighed the need for artillerists and Ramseur was given command of the 3rd regiment of North Carolina infantry. Ramseur would go on to compile a fairly solid record as a brigadier and then major general in the Army of Northern Virginia; but his time in command was not without its downsides. Several times; and probably most specifically at Gettysburg; Ramseur’s leadership and ability came into question by scholars. Though Ramseur launched the final assault that broke the Union back at Oak Ridge and Hill; many accuse Ramseur of being too lackadaisical in the subsequent parts of the battle. I feel as though Gallagher’s book acquits the general well; and fairly objectively; but it does show that Ramseur was not perfect in any way.The book then winds its way through the following campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia and its attempts to win southern independence; and quite nicely incorporates personal letters and accounts of Ramseur in conveying this story. Ramseur was then commissioned a major general the day after his twenty-seventh birthday; becoming the youngest West Pointer to achieve that rank in the Confederate army. He displayed charisma and intrepidity on fields like Spotsylvania (his shining achievement in my own opinion) and Cedar Creek; and showed amazing skill as a divisional leader until his death in the 1864 Shenandoah Valley campaign. This loss; again; deprived Robert E. Lee of another qualified and distinguished military leader late in the war. It was through losses such as Ramseur that hopes of a Confederate victory were dashed in late 1864.I have always been a Stephen D. Ramseur fan and felt that he has often been overlooked for his abilities and contributions to the South during the Civil War. While already a fan of the general and his bravery; Gary Gallagher’s book made me an even bigger admirer of Ramseur. I recommend the work highly for all fans of the Civil War; but reading the letters that Ramseur wrote to his wife and friends brought a very human element to a conflict that I believe is so often forgotten in Civil War writings. Overall just a great read and interesting addition to any Civil War fan’s collection.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Joseph KennedyWonderful book on a courageous; noble man!1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Thanks to Gary Gallagher's brilliant accounts of Civil War historyBy PrestoniThanks to Gary Gallagher's brilliant accounts of Civil War history; the shape of the tragedy and glory of our great struggles comes alive.
