In 1800; black voices began to rise against slavery. People like Gabriel Prosser and Nat Turner; attempted to launch slave rebellions against the system. Others; such as Maria Stewart and Frederick Douglass wrote books; pamphlets; and speeches calling for the abolition of slavery in the "land of the free." The voices of abolitionists; both black and white; helped end slavery in the Northern states during the early 19th century. But Southern plantation owners were unwilling to yield easily. The industrial revolution made the market for cotton better than ever. Inventor Eli Whitney's cotton gin could easily remove the seeds from cotton bolls a slow and tedious chore slaves had to do by hand and plantation owners were able to grow even more cotton with fewer hands. They were not about to give up their slaves without a fight. So--African Americans struggled to be free and remain free as slaveholders fought to keep the system alive and profitable. Let My People Go explores what slavery was like for men; women; and children in white homes and plantations; but it also shows how slaves created communities under bondage; how they fought back; and how they contributed to the system's decline. Even in rare "free" communities; the central goal of free African Americans; beyond their very survival as a people; was to fight for the complete abolition of slavery. This sense of brotherhood; of community; speeded slavery's demise and still guides African American history today. Let My People Go is a testament to the commitment and courage of those early communities.
#448069 in Books David Ulansey 1991-03-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.50 x .44 x 8.25l; .50 #File Name: 0195067886168 pagesThe Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries Cosmology and Salvation in the Ancient World
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Great; if Speculative; ContributionBy Christopher R. TraversFirst; this book is quite speculative and necessarily so (there is no other way to interpret religious artifacts without substantial textual sources). The author lays out the problems in investigation early on; as well as various views on the origins of Mithraism. He then follows one of those traditions (the astronomical theory) in the hopes of making his own contribution--- a comprehensive theory as to the origins of Mithraism.Personally; I don't expect that Ulansey's theory will be exactly right. It is pioneering; and consequently introduces a large number of new contributions to the field; some of which we can expect not to hold up to further investigation. Even if his theories survive in their overall outlines; some of the details could be radically different. Indeed there are a few notable omissions in avenues of investigation which could be used to check (and perhaps confirm or deny) some parts of Ulansey's theories.Additionally I am not certain that many of the theories of the origins of Mithraism are mutually exclusive. Just as we can see complex sources for early Christianity; it seems unlikely to me a religion as complex as Mithraism has a single source in astronomy and astrology.However; the book makes a number of fairly well-argued; and carefully connections that are new; such as the Perseus/Mithras connection. Additionally on the whole it is quite thought-provoking; and therefore represents in my view a major contribution to the study of Mithraism specifically; and even to Hellenistic religion more generally.Recommended.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An Engaging ReadBy ZachDavid Ulansey has laid out interesting discussion about Mithraic Mysteries in this little book; which he documented his sources with care and made no assumptions anywhere. It is very enlightening and sobering read about the origins of this little-known mysteries (or cult) and how Stoicism is connected to it as well as the celestial interpretations.One doesn't have to be a scholar or academic to read this little work; as it is intended for a lay reader who is interested in the subject.The book is well-read and sobering as I read it in one sitting. It's to be recommended for those who's starting out in reading about this "mystery cult."2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This guy spent YEARS doing the research.By C. HintzThis book is a brief review of years of research and the findings. The academic version is in the 700 to 800 page range and beyond the scope of most 'casual readers.' This book is concise and to-the-point. I read it in an afternoon and then reread it the following day. I have theories about what Mitra evolved into - but that is not the point. This is a readable book for the general audience and I think every (public and private) high school library should have a couple of copies.
