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In the Shadow of Slavery

African Americans in New York City, 1626-1863
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( 66 ratings, 8 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In the Shadow of Slavery by Leslie M. Harris explores the complex history of African Americans in New York City from the city's early days as a Dutch colony through the Civil War era. The book uncovers the contributions and struggles of enslaved and free blacks, shedding light on their enduring impact on the city's development and life. Harris provides an insightful analysis of how slavery and racial dynamics shaped a Northern city in ways often overlooked in American history.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you are interested in uncovering the often-overlooked history of slavery in the northern United States, this book might captivate you with its detailed exploration of how slavery shaped society and culture in areas usually associated with freedom. Perfect for history enthusiasts keen to understand the complex legacy of slavery beyond the Southern states.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A new edition of a classic work revealing the little-known history of African Americans in New York City before Emancipation.

Popular understanding of the history of slavery in America has a crucial gap: It almost entirely ignores its extensive reach in the North. But the cities of the North were built by—and became the home of—tens of thousands of enslaved African Americans, many of whom would continue to live there as free people after Emancipation.

In the Shadow of Slavery turns to New York City to reveal the history of African Americans in the nation’s largest city. Drawing on extensive travel accounts, autobiographies, newspapers, literature, and organizational records, Leslie M. Harris extends beyond prior studies of racial discrimination by tracing the undeniable impact of African Americans on class, politics, and community formation. She offers vivid portraits of the lives and aspirations of countless black New Yorkers.

This new edition includes an afterword by the author addressing subsequent research and the ongoing arguments about how slavery and its legacy should be taught, memorialised, and acknowledged by government.

Series: Historical Studies of Urban America

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    A new edition of a classic work revealing the little-known history of African Americans in New York City before Emancipation. Popular understanding of the history of slavery in America has a crucial gap: It almost entirely ignores its extensive reach in the North. But the cities of the North were built by—and became the home of—tens of thousands of enslaved...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Leslie M. Harris's In the Shadow of Slavery is lauded for its thorough research, insightful analysis, and articulate writing. Critics praise it as a superior work of social history that is essential reading for understanding antebellum class relations and urban community development.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780226824871

Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 November 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: University of Chicago Press

Edition: First Edition, Enlarged

Illustration: 31 halftones

Contributors:

  • Afterword by Leslie M. Harris

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 540g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Leslie M. Harris is professor of history at Northwestern University.

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