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American Slavery, American Freedom Audiobook
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(4.01) - 591 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
"If it is possible to understand the American paradox, the marriage of slavery and freedom, Virginia is surely the place to begin," writes Edmund S. Morgan in American Slavery, American Freedom, a study of the tragic contradiction at the core of America. Morgan finds the key to this central paradox in the people and politics of the state that was both the birthplace of the revolution and the largest slaveholding state in the country. With a new introduction. Winner of the Francis Parkman Prize and the Albert J. Beveridge Award.
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"Although not a new book, it is spot-on about the centrality of slavery to so-called 'American democracy'. Morgan concentrates on colonial Virginia, and shows how the use of slave labour by white farmers/plantation owners became established side by side with 'democratic' institutions in the 18th century. In a way, the cheap labour provided by African and African-American slaves made possible the democratic 'rights' and processes enjoyed by free, white Americans. The connection between slavery and democracy was subsequently mirrored in the American constitution of 1787, and in the contradiction inherent in the early American republic: unique political rights for some Americans associated with permanent slavery for other (black) Americans. A good read too!"
— Michael (5 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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Winner of the 1976 Parkman Prize
American Slavery, American Freedom Listener Reviews
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" This book gave me a lot to think about, but it didn't focus on the advent of slavery/racism as much as I anticipated. The first 3/4 of the book focused on white settlers and white servants, and then he seemed to throw the issues of African slaves in at the very end. A good read though, particularly for those interested in Colonial Virginia history. "
— Michelle, 2/16/2014 -
" I've said it before, I really love Edmund Morgan. He's a gifted historian and author. He is really able to tell you about very basic concepts of American History, yet he makes you view things in a way that you never have before and see the history of our nation in a whole new way. "
— Jljcnewton, 1/20/2014 -
" Excellent exploration of the slavery/freedom paradox. "
— Megan, 1/12/2014 -
" This was one of the first book I read for my major and it was actually very well done. Definitely a very interesting history after being trapt reading mundane historical accounts during high school. Plus it was an easy read! "
— Courtney, 12/28/2013 -
" This was a very good Colonial history book. "
— Amber, 12/23/2013 -
" In this book, Dr. Morgan persuasively argues that American slavery arose first in Virginia Out of primarily socio-economic aspects of life during and after tobacco booms in Virginia. "
— Jordan, 12/11/2013 -
" Excellent, insightful analysis of the origins and consequences of southern slavery - unique perspectives that transcends the trite analyses many historians can't seem to get away from. "
— Mackenzie, 12/8/2013 -
" This ranks as one of the non-fiction history books I wish I would've written. Truly foundational to the understanding of early American history, and relating the evolution of the two ends of the spectrum of freedom in a way that fully relates the uniqueness of the American experience. "
— Laura, 12/6/2013 -
" They're more connected than you might think. A really wonderful book. There's a reason why historians talk about Morgan like he's a god. "
— Matthew, 11/20/2013 -
" slavery,American history "
— Laura, 11/12/2013 -
" An amazing book! To read and re-read! "
— Carrie, 10/13/2013 -
" I recall that this book had an interesting thesis. I can no longer recall what that thesis was. "
— Antoine, 10/13/2013 -
" You have to read the entire book. It is slow but the punchline is worth it. "
— Josh, 9/13/2013 -
" This book explains why slavery came to the American colonies and why it stayed so long. Many believed American freedom depended upon slavery. "
— Rusty, 8/22/2013 -
" I thought this book was just brilliant. The simplicity of Morgan's arguments makes this accessible, quick to read, and inviting to the historical novice. He was a clever fellow. "
— Ram, 7/12/2013
About Edmund S. Morgan
Edmund Sears Morgan, an eminent authority on early American history, was a professor of history at Yale University, where he taught from 1955 to 1986. He specialized in American colonial history, with some attention to English history, and was noted for his incisive writing style. In 1971 he was awarded the Yale Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa’s William Clyde DeVane Medal for outstanding teaching and scholarship, considered one of the most prestigious teaching prizes for Yale faculty. In 1972 he became the first recipient of the Douglass Adair Memorial Award for scholarship in early American history, and in 1986 he received the Distinguished Scholar Award of the American Historical Association. He became a Sterling Professor, one of Yale’s highest distinctions, in 1965. He received the Gold Medal for History from the American Academy of Arts and Letter, and he was awarded the 2000 National Humanities Medal by President Bill Clinton for “extraordinary contributions to American cultural life and thought.” In 2006, he won a special Pulitzer Prize citing “a creative and deeply influential body of work as an American historian that spans the last half century.”
About Lloyd James
Lloyd James (a.k.a. Sean Pratt) has been a working professional actor in theater, film, television, and voice-overs for more than thirty years. He has narrated over one thousand audiobooks and won numerous Earphones Awards and nominations for the Audie Award and the Voice Arts Award. He holds a BFA degree in acting from Santa Fe University, New Mexico.