Encyclopedia of Slave Resistance and Rebellion [Two Volumes] [2 volumes]: Greenwood Milestones in African American History [Hardcover]

Junius P. Rodriguez (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313332711 | ISBN-13: 978-0313332715 | Publication Date: December 30, 2006

Slaves fought against their subhuman treatment in myriad ways, from passive resistance to armed insurrection. They defined their sense of self and shared humanity through an unquenchable desire to seek freedom from their oppressors. The variety of methods used by slaves to resist the institution that sought to subjugate them indicates the immense fiction that they were lesser creatures animated only by brutish instinct. The many acts of slave resistance and rebellion essentially defined the humanity of the slave. This encyclopedia details how slaves struggled against their bondage, highlights key revolts, and delves into important cultural and religious ideas that nurtured slaves' hunger for freedom. Though the primary focus is North America, the work's scope also includes the immensely important slave resistance developments in the Caribbean and South America. Selected studies of slave resistance from classical antiquity will also be considered in this work.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Rodriguez, editor of Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery (ABC-CLIO, 1997) and author of Chronology of World Slavery (ABC-CLIO, 1999), has edited the first encyclopedia that focuses solely on the history of resistance in slave societies, most notably in the Americas. The 20-page introduction provides a solid examination of the history of resistance to slavery and begins to examine some of the cultural issues that both maintained slavery and downplayed resistance. Some 260 articles cover individual plots and uprisings, various forms of resistance, historical figures in slave resistance from Rome to the present day, and movies and books that both portray or avoid portraying rebellion. The maroon, or escaped slave, communities of the Caribbean region, Florida, and Brazil are given extensive coverage. Discussion of colonial Caribbean slavery and history is particularly strong. The set most thoroughly looks at slavery as practiced in the colonial Americas. Although there is some discussion of Roman and Greek slavery, there is little or no discussion of the practice of enslavement common in early modern Europe, the Ottoman Empire, or continuing today in parts of the world. One of the most valuable parts of the book is the 64 primary documents that are reprinted in their entirety in the appendix, from the 1693 Rules for the Society of Negroes to the proposed slave reparations bill of 1867. Also included are a chronology, a 27-page bibliography, and a thorough index. Some articles are accompanied by black-and-white illustrations. An alphabetical and a subject list of entries can be found at the beginning of the set. The text will serve as a good accompaniment to reference materials on slavery, so that readers understand that with slavery went resistance. It is recommended for public and academic libraries. Stratton, Steve

Review

"Editor Junius P. Rodriguez and his contributors fulfill an important purpose with the articles in this encyclopedia. By placing a focus on slave resistance and rebellion, they refute the notion that individuals who were turned into chattel property…lost their essential human nature to resist subjugation. And not only that, as one examines this work, it becomes obvious that the enslaved did so with all means that were possible. The articles discussing numerous forms of resistance attest to this….Encyclopedia of Slave Resistance and Rebellion does a significant service by bringing to the fore an aspect of slavery that deserves broader attention….Although intended for a scholarly audience, this work is equally appropriate for larger public libraries."

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Against the Grain

"This new guide to slavery exposes those traditions of resistance. Many of the 268 articles describe the fate of slave conspiracies, insurrections and rebellion leaders. Others explore the roles of religion, art, music, communication networks and other facets of slave culture in providing means of personal expression and resistance to the institution of slavery….[t]he representation of slavery in primary sources, historical scholarship, motion pictures and literature is examined in detail….A selection of 60 primary sources provides excellent examples of resistance…. [t]his groundbreaking encyclopedia will make an excellent addition to academic and public libraries."

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Lawrence Looks at Books

"Both of these two entries in Greenwoods Milestones in African American History series offer a solid foothold for high school or college students beginning research on slave resistance or abolition. They cover people, places, philosophies, and popular culture and share many common features: readable, signed A-to-Z entries with short source lists; general bibliographies; chronologies; black-and-white illustrations; and subject indexes….Rodriguezs U.S.-focused Slave Resistance features some 300 cross-referenced entries, all detailed and insightful. It also includes 100 pages of primary documents ranging from transcribed congressional debates to slave narratives. Treatment is balanced; e.g., an entry on Roots author Alexander Haley mentions controversies (authenticity, plagiarism) surrounding his work but also highlights his achievements….Recommended for high school, college, and large public libraries. (Reviewed in conjunction with Encyclopedia of Antislavery and Abolition, Hinks & McKivigan, Greenwood Press)"

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Library Journal

"[P]rovides a solid examination of the history of resistance to slavery and begins to examine some of the cultural issues that both maintained slavery and downplayed resistance….The text will serve as a good accompaniment to reference materials on slavery, so that readers understand that with slavery went resistance. It is recommended for public and academic libraries."

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Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin

"[T]his set is recommended for high school, college, and university libraries and public libraries with large reference collectioins."

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Multicultural Review

"The editor engages the reader by including a section of primary documents. These documents range from slave narratives to historical newspapers and government documents. Entries are well written and the bibliography introduces users to some critical texts for further readings about slave resistance. This encyclopedia is an important contribution."

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Reference Reviews

". . . historian Junius P. Rodriguez has conceived and brought to life another excellent reference work. Assembling an international body of ninety-nine scholars who have provided 267 entries as well as nearly a hundred pages of primary documents, Rodriguez has created a much-needed resource encompassing the full range of topics, subjects, and controversies surrounding slave resistance and rebellions that is as accessible to experts and students as it is to the general public."

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Journal of Southern History

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 816 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood (December 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313332711
• ISBN-13: 978-0313332715
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.3 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #757,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable reference work, January 28, 2010

By 

Francisco Bernardo Regino E. (Dominican Republic) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Slave Resistance and Rebellion [Two Volumes] [2 volumes]: Greenwood Milestones in African American History (Hardcover)

This encyclopedia is a valuable reference work, and I recommend it.
An observation on Vol. 1, p. 165, reads: "Leclerc died of yellow fever in April 7, 1803, and was replaced by French General Jean-Baptiste Rochambeau, Whom Dessalines and his troops fought battles in cleverly executed."

In this paragraph there is a misprint, as the date of the death of General Victor Leclerc was on November 2, 1802. Who died on April 7, 1803 was Toussaint Louverture, a prisoner of Napoleon Bonaparte, in Fort de Joux, France. Francisco Bernardo Regino E. (Dominican Republic).