Winner of the SHEAR Book PrizeHonorable Mention, Avery O. Craven Award“Few books have captured the lived experience of slavery as powerfully.”―Ari Kelman, Times Literary Supplement“[One] of the most impressive works of American history in many years.”―The Nation“An important, arguably seminal, book…Always trenchant and learned.”―Wall Street JournalA landmark history, by the author of National Book Critics Circle Award finalist The Broken Heart of America, that shows how slavery fueled Southern capitalism.When Jefferson acquired the Louisiana Territory, he envisioned an “empire for liberty” populated by self-sufficient white farmers. Cleared of Native Americans and the remnants of European empires by Andrew Jackson, the Mississippi Valley was transformed instead into a booming capitalist economy commanded by wealthy planters, powered by steam engines, and dependent on the coerced labor of slaves. River of Dark Dreams places the Cotton Kingdom at the center of worldwide webs of exchange and exploitation that extended across oceans and drove an insatiable hunger for new lands. This bold reconsideration dramatically alters our understanding of American slavery and its role in U.S. expansionism, global capitalism, and the upcoming Civil War.Walter Johnson deftly traces the connections between the planters’ pro-slavery ideology, Atlantic commodity markets, and Southern schemes for global ascendency. Using slave narratives, popular literature, legal records, and personal correspondence, he recreates the harrowing details of daily life under cotton’s dark dominion. We meet the confidence men and gamblers who made the Valley shimmer with promise, the slave dealers, steamboat captains, and merchants who supplied the markets, the planters who wrung their civilization out of the minds and bodies of their human property, and the true believers who threatened the Union by trying to expand the Cotton Kingdom on a global scale.But at the center of the story are the enslaved people who pulled down the forests, planted the fields, picked the cotton―who labored, suffered, and resisted on the dark underside of the American dream.“Shows how the Cotton Kingdom of the 19th-century Deep South, far from being a backward outpost of feudalism, was a dynamic engine of capitalist expansion built on enslaved labor.”―A. O. Scott, New York Times“River of Dark Dreams delivers spectacularly on the long-standing mission to write ‘history from the bottom up.’”―Maya Jasanoff, New York Review of Books
✔ Author(s): Walter Johnson
✔ Title: River of Dark Dreams: Slavery and Empire in the Cotton Kingdom
✔ Rating : 4.3 out of 5 base on (116 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 0674975383
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about River of Dark Dreams by Walter Johnson
Aleena Tran
Experience a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and love in this beautifully written novel. The protagonist's struggles and triumphs are portrayed with incredible empathy. Richly developed characters and a compelling plot make the story unforgettable. The emotional depth of the narrative resonates long after the book is closed. It's a touching tale that celebrates the human spirit. Perfect for readers seeking an uplifting read.
Aubrie Todd
Follow the heartwarming journey of a group of friends navigating life's challenges together. The author's empathetic writing and well-developed characters create a deeply emotional experience. Each chapter explores themes of friendship, love, and resilience with sensitivity. The plot's twists and turns keep you engaged throughout. It's a story that celebrates the bonds that connect us. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories about friendship and community.
Elvenia Connolly
Uncover the secrets of a haunted mansion in this chilling gothic novel. The author's atmospheric writing and suspenseful plot make for a captivating read. Each character's hidden motives and dark pasts add to the tension. The twists and surprises keep you guessing until the very end. It's a haunting and immersive story that you won't want to put down. Perfect for fans of gothic fiction.
