The Amistad Slave Revolt and American Abolition [Paperback]

Karen Zeinert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

Traces the 1839 revolt of Africans aboard the slave ship Amistad, their apprehension, and long trial which ended in their acquittal by the Supreme Court.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up. In 1839, a group of slaves being transported from Cuba mutinied, killing the Amistad's captain and seizing the ship. They ordered the remaining crew to take them back to Africa, but were instead captured off the coast of Long Island. Hoping to make a quick profit, the captors sued for custody of the ship and its cargo, but instead became involved in an important legal battle over the slave trade. When the case finally reached the Supreme Court in 1841, the defendants' cause had been adopted and well publicized by abolitionists, who called on John Quincy Adams to aid in the defense. His brilliant and impassionate argument?fueled by his dislike of President Martin Van Buren?compelled the Justices to free the slaves, and the 35 survivors returned to Africa on funds raised by missionaries and abolitionists. It is a compelling story, a fact recognized by Steven Spielberg, who is currently directing a big-screen adaptation of it. However, by trying to place the episode within the context of the abolitionist movement, Zeinert loses the drama in the historical detail. The rebels themselves are treated impersonally; one never gets a sense of the reported charisma of the leader, Cinque. Still, with many books on the topic out of print, libraries may want to add this volume in anticipation of the big demand that the film will surely generate.?Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7^-10. One day in 1839, a young West African man named Cinque was ambushed by kidnappers and sold into slavery. Sold again in Cuba, Cinque and 52 other slaves were put aboard the Spanish ship Amistad. What happened next is the dramatic stuff of history: as the ship listed at sea, with slack sails and loose supervision, Cinque plotted a revolt and was able to carry it off after picking his shackles lock with a nail and seizing machetes meant for West Indies sugar plantations. Instead of sailing back to Africa, however, as the rebels ordered the remaining crew to do in exchange for their lives, the Amistad headed toward Long Island, where it was captured by the U.S. Navy, and a major political debate and trial ensued. Zeinert's narrative reads like an exciting adventure tale, while it carefully weaves in facts about West African culture, the slave trade, and American pre^-Civil War politics. Black-and-white illustrations that include scenes from a mural by Hale Wood-ruff add even more drama to this fine title. Source notes; bibliography. Anne O'Malley --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 101 pages
• Publisher: Linnet Books (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0208024395
• ISBN-13: 978-0208024398
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,267,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story of organized concerned abolitionists, August 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Amistad Slave Revolt and American Abolition (Paperback)

I do not pretend to be an historian but found the connection between this single saga and the abolitionist movement to be greater than just a cause celebre; it demonstrates how a few concerned people would take action because they cared for more than the cause. I note that the pastors, who were participants with the "committee" are not identified with any particular creed, sect or Denomination. I wonder if the "congregational members" noted on page 78 were members of the Church now identified as the Congregational United Church of Christ? With which of the Denominations were the Rev. Joshua Leavitt and the Rev. Simeon Jocelyn associated? Congratulations to the author who very neatly summarizes so very many events that must have taken place over the period of captivity.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Useful history for a little known subject but retains PC lin, January 14, 1998

By 

Glynn C. Moran "[e-mail]" (San Juan, Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Amistad Slave Revolt and American Abolition (Hardcover)

The storyline is coherent for youngsters but incomplete. Does the author plan a sequel to cover Cinque's return to Africa where he set up as a slave trader himself? Glynn C Moran