In this ground-breaking study, Sterling Stuckey, a leading cultural historian and authority on slavery, explains how different African peoples interacted on the plantations of the South to achieve a common culture. He argues that, at the time of emancipation, slaves still remained
essentially African in culture, a conclusion with profound implications for theories of black liberation and for the future of race relations in America.
Drawing evidence from the anthropology and art history of Central and West African cultural traditions and exploring the folklore of the American slave, Stuckey reveals an intrinsic Pan-African impulse that contributed to the formation of the black ethos in slavery. He presents fascinating
profiles of such nineteenth-century figures as David Walker, Henry Highland Garnet, and Frederick Douglass, as well as detailed examinations into the lives and careers of W.E.B. Du Bois and Paul Robeson in this century.
Industry Reviews
"A splendid addition to the rich literature on the lives of blacks under slavery."--The Philadelphia Inquirer
"Stuckey's stimulating work clearly suggests that until Afro-Americans can resolve not only the problems of economic and political empowerment but also the related problem of cultural self-definition--especially as regards their Africanness--the travail of black liberation will not come to an end."--The Nation
"Slave Culture, a work of major proportions, is gracefully written and thoroughly documented....Superbly disciplined scholarship."--Journal of American History
"An interpretation of considerable originality. He brings a broad knowledge of, and a wonderful ear for, poetry, music, dance, and folklore."*
"An exciting, superbly documented text....It is Stuckey's masterpiece."--Robert Farris Thompson, Yale University
"A rich, provocative, and in many ways seminal interpretation that may force a reconsideration of the depths of African culture in America."--Library Journal
"Thoughtful tracing of the roots of black nationalist feelings in America over several centuries."--Kirkus Reviews
"An exciting, superbly documented text....It is Stuckey's masterpiece, a brilliant synthesis of years of research distilled with the insights and analytic knack of one of the master historians of the black experience....It is an essential classic of African-American scholarship."--Robert Farris Thompson, Yale University
"Stuckey's signal achievement is that he has forced us to reexamine the roots of slave culture and the attendant political implications in new and exciting ways."--Reviews in American History
"An interpretation of considerable originality. [Stuckey] brings a broad knowledge of, and a wonderful ear for, poetry, music, dance, and folklore....I cannot do justice to Stuckey's contributions to scholarship, much less to the pleasure that awaits those who avail themselves of his subtle and nuanced readings."--Eugene Genovese, The New Republic
"A unique study whose impact will long be felt."--Choice
"Stuckey's study shows how powerfully African cultural traits have affected the roots of black nationalist thought in the United States. A lucid, fascinating, and very important book."--Winthrop D. Jordan, University of Mississippi
"Stuckey advances the most convincing argument yet for the Afro side of Afro-American culture, in slavery times and deep into the twentieth century."--William W. Freehling, Johns Hopkins University
"A stimulating and well researched study into the social history of black America since the early colonial period up to the late 1930s. Professor Stuckey writes with the ease and clarity rarely found in more recent texts of black history. Slave Culture provides meaningful elaboration and examination of black society both in pre- and post-slavery America. In addition to an indepth overview of black culture and society, the author provides the reader
with useful and relevant case studies of selected black Americans....The text is a valuable resource for teachers and instructors of American history.... For the teacher, the text will benefit the history
classroom by facilitating discussion of both historical and contemporary myths and stereotypes of black culture that have persisted throughout the history of the American nation."--Teaching History
"An important work tracing the survival and decline of African culture in the U.S. and the impact of those changes on racial politics beginning with the black abolitionists David Walker and Henry Highland Garnet."--Texas Journal
"A most engaging and scholarly survey of the early African American experiences. Stuckey's decision to focus his historical research in the concept of nationalism was a brilliant choice. Highly recommended for scholars and students of African American culture and history."--Imelda Hunt, University of Toledo
