Slavery: A Problem in American Institutional and Intellectual Life

"Bold and original . . . [This book] fearlessly employs the methods and materials of history, economics, anthropology, and social psychology." —John Hope Franklin, Massachusetts ReviewThis third edition of Stanley M. Elkins's classic study offers two new chapters by the author. The first, "Slavery and Ideology," considers the discussion and criticism occasioned by this controversial work. Elkins amplifies his original purpose in writing the book and takes into consideration the substantial body of critical commentary. He also attempts a prediction on the course of future research and discussion.The second new chapter, "The Two Arguments on Slavery," reflects the continuing interest in and extraordinary vitality of the subject of slavery. The author considers the growing interest in black culture and the important contributions of work published on slavery in the 1970s. He particularly focuses on two recently published books which represent new directions in the study of the institution of slavery, Eugene D. Genovese's Roll, Jordan, Roll and Time on the Cross by Robert W. Fogel and Stanley L. Engermann, and a book by Herbert G. Gutman, The Black Family in Slavery and Freedom, 1750–1925.Historians will welcome this updated edition of this major work. Elkins's multidisciplinary approach will interest sociologists, anthropologists, political scientists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Any reader sensitive to the currents of American thought will find this new edition invaluable for its perspective and insight."There is no other word for this book but brilliant." —Louis Filler, Ohio Historical Quarterly"Provocative, fascinating, and illuminating . . . Professor Elkins's book is must reading." —New Politics Read more