Ocean of Letters is a remarkable history of imperialism; language; and creolization in the largest African diaspora of the Indian Ocean in the early modern period. Ranging from Madagascar to the Mascarenes; the Comores; and South Africa; Pier M. Larson sheds new light on the roles of slavery; emancipation; oceanic travel; Christian missions; and colonial linguistics in the making of Malagasy-language literacy in the islands of the western Indian Ocean. He shows how enslaved and free Malagasy together with certain European colonists and missionaries promoted the Malagasy language; literacy projects and letter writing in the multilingual colonial societies of the region between the seventeenth and mid-nineteenth centuries. Addressing current debates in the history of Africa and the African diaspora; slavery; abolition; creolization and the making of modern African literatures; the book crosses thematic as well as geo-imperial boundaries and brings fresh perspectives to Indian Ocean history.
#960645 in Books Cambridge University Press 1996Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.96 x .98 x 7.99l; 2.57 #File Name: 0521669936352 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. good bookBy El PresidenteThis book is effective as a basic introduction to the Islamic world with a wide range of visuals. It is informative; but not super complicated so a good starting point but not deep analysis. If you are new to Islamic studies it is absolutely worth your time.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Textbook for college classBy S. EdwardsBought this book for my husband who was taking a college course in Islamic Art and Architecture. This book was comprehensive and quite useful to him. We purchased a used copy that was in excellent condition and delivered quickly.Would recommend for content; quality and service.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Ernest M WoodyOpen's the door
