Manumission--the act of freeing a slave while the institution of slavery continues--has received relatively little scholarly attention as compared to other aspects of slavery and emancipation. To address this gap; editors Rosemary Brana-Shute and Randy J. Sparks present a volume of essays that comprise the first-ever comparative study of manumission as it affected slave systems on both sides of the Atlantic. In this landmark volume; an international group of scholars consider the history and implications of manumission from the medieval period to the late nineteenth century as the phenomenon manifested itself in the Old World and the New. The contributors demonstrate that although the means of manumission varied greatly across the Atlantic world; in every instance the act served to reinforce the sovereign power structures inherent in the institution of slavery. In some societies only a master had the authority to manumit slaves; while in others the state might grant freedom or it might be purchased. Regardless of the source of manumission; the result was viewed by its society as a benevolent act intended to bind the freed slave to his or her former master through gratitude if no longer through direct ownership. The possibility of manumission worked to inspire faithful servitude among slaves while simultaneously solidifying the legitimacy of their ownership. The essayists compare the legacy of manumission in medieval Europe; the Jewish communities of Levant; Europe; and the New World; the Dutch; French; and British colonies; and the antebellum United States; while exploring wider patterns that extended beyond a single location or era.
#82031 in Books Tomiko Higa 2013-08-02 2013-08-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.40 x .40 x 5.30l; .0 #File Name: 1568365314132 pagesThe Girl with the White Flag
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy KleeI Enjoyed this book very much. Being of Okinawan ancestry; it was not until I visited Okinawa that I took an interest in the Battle of Okinawa. The ravages of war on a country and its people is so horrible....This was a brave little girl; who lived to tell her story. This is NOT a book for elementary school children.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. I read this book because she shares my last name ...By higabut is no relation. And found I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. There are many mentions in the customer reviews about it being middle school or young adolescent lit; so I was a little leery. And it is in a way; because the episodes in her life are just presented the way she remembered them. There is no tying it back to a larger political idea; no closure of narrative like one expect in an adult novel; and often "characters" in her story walk away never to be seen from or heard from again. So; in that way; if you are expecting an adult account with deep reflections; ramifications both political and social; and prescriptions and condemnations; then you need to read another book. But Higa's account was refreshing in that way that children are. She presents everything without guile or over-analysis. You feel the visceral experience with her as she climbs over the wasteland that her country becomes. She never sugar-coats anything because there is no need to when just presented factually. You feel her need; understand her young judgements; and are just charmed by her plucky character. In today's multicultural educational system; this book would be a good addition to any history of WWII.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Three StarsBy Cindy SitalBook was very short. Fast Read.
