The Rush for Black Diamonds, Volume Two

by George Walters-Sleyon

2025 · Wipf and Stock Publishers

The Rush for Black Diamonds, Volume Two demonstrates the need for a Reform Prison Theology and a Holistic Penal Ethics in the United States and the United Kingdom (England and Wales, and Scotland). As a descriptive, analytic, and prescriptive engagement, it contends that colonialism and penal slavery are the modern vestiges of the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of chattel slavery also made possible by the Thirteenth Amendment of the US Constitution. This book explores the transition from the institution of chattel slavery to colonialism and penal slavery prior to and after 1970 by the superpowers of the transatlantic slave trade, including the US, France, and the UK. It shows the intersections of the economic and racial influences of chattel slavery, the Black Codes, the preservation of the cult of White supremacy on the development of the post-1970 penal industries and their collateral effects of the high rates of prisoner deaths in the US and the UK. Like John Locke and Thomas Jefferson, Volume Two argues that Immanuel Kant provided the most concise philosophical claims for the emergence of the cult of White supremacy and its militant preservation through the Invisible Empire of the Ku Klux Klan against Black humanity.

Civil Wars

by George C. Rable

2022 · University of Illinois Press

Born into a male-dominated society, southern women often chose to support patriarchy and their own celebrated roles as mothers, wives, and guardians of the home and humane values. George C. Rable uncovers the details of how women fit into the South's complex social order and how Southern social assumptions shaped their attitudes toward themselves, their families, and society as a whole. He reveals a bafflingly intricate social order and the ways the South's surprisingly diverse women shaped their own lives and minds despite strict boundaries. Paying particular attention to women during the Civil War, Roble illuminates their thoughts on the conflict and the threats and challenges they faced and looks at their place in both the economy and politics of the Confederacy. He also ranges back to the antebellum era and forward to postwar South, when women quickly acquiesced to the old patriarchal system but nonetheless lived lives changed forever by the war. Winner of the 1989 Jefferson Davis Award of the Museum of the Confederacy, 1989. Winner of the Julia Cherry Spruill Prize of the Southern Association of Women Historians, 1991.

A Captain in the Ranks

by George Cary Eggleston

2019 · Good Press

In "A Captain in the Ranks," George Cary Eggleston masterfully interweaves the themes of honor, duty, and the complexities of war within the tapestry of the Civil War, drawing readers into a vivid portrayal of military life. Eggleston's literary style combines rich, descriptive prose with intricate characterizations, inviting a profound engagement with the moral ambiguity faced by soldiers. Set against the backdrop of one of America's most tumultuous periods, the novel explores both the external battles and the inner conflicts of its protagonists, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth. George Cary Eggleston was not only a prominent novelist but also a journalist and historian who lived through the Civil War era. His experiences and observations during this pivotal time in American history informed much of his writing, allowing him to depict the brutal realities of war with both sincerity and nuance. A Southern sympathizer, Eggleston's perspective is shaped by the ethos of his time, giving readers an insider'Äôs view of the burdens borne by soldiers and the moral dilemmas they encountered. Readers drawn to historical fiction and military narratives will find "A Captain in the Ranks" an essential addition to their collection. Eggleston'Äôs ability to blend gripping storytelling with insightful commentary on human nature during warfare offers a profound experience for anyone seeking to comprehend the intricate layers of the Civil War. This novel is not only a testament to the courage of its characters but also a poignant reflection on the costs of conflict.

Hansford: A Tale of Bacon's Rebellion

by St. George Tucker

2019 · Good Press

In "Hansford: A Tale of Bacon's Rebellion," St. George Tucker masterfully weaves a narrative set against the turbulent backdrop of the late 17th-century Virginia. This historical novel intricately explores the socio-political dynamics of the colony during Bacon's Rebellion, capturing the tension between settlers and indigenous populations as well as the burgeoning calls for liberty and self-governance. Tucker's literary style is marked by a keen sense of realism and period authenticity, employing rich descriptions and vivid characterizations that immerse the reader in the lives of protagonists who navigate the complexities of loyalty, ambition, and moral ambiguity. This work not only serves as a tale of adventure but also acts as a poignant commentary on the struggles for power and justice in early America. St. George Tucker (1752-1827) was a prominent American jurist and philosopher, whose experiences as a colonial subject and later as a legal mind in the post-Revolutionary era profoundly influenced his writing. His keen interest in the law and governance, combined with his position as a member of the Virginia elite, equipped him with a unique perspective on the implications of rebellion, making him a fitting chronicler of such a pivotal historical event. This novel reflects his values and his vision for an emerging American identity, grappling with themes of freedom and authority. "Hansford: A Tale of Bacon's Rebellion" is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the intricate interplay of history and personal narrative. Tucker'Äôs work invites readers to reflect on the universal struggles for rights and representation that resonate through American history. With its rich historical context and moral dilemmas, this novel is not only an engaging read but also a vital contribution to early American literature.