A bold new interpretation of Nat Turner and the slave rebellion that shocked the American South in 1831. Turner led a group of Southampton County slaves in a revolt that resulted in the deaths of fifty-five whites, primarily women and children. After two months of hiding, he was captured, convicted, and executed. This work delves beyond the simplistic portrayal of Turner as a mystic or self-styled preacher, exploring his journey of self-discovery, the emergence of his Christian faith, and the divine mission he believed he was given. Much about Turner remains elusive; his extraordinary life account, shared while he awaited trial, was recorded by a white attorney seeking profit from his notoriety. Nonetheless, Turner's influence on the American South was immediate and profound, marking his rebellion as a pivotal moment in U.S. history. Christopher Tomlins offers an insightful exploration of Turner's intellectual growth, religious beliefs, and motivations, alongside a fresh analysis of the rebellion's effects on Virginia politics. Additionally, Tomlins critically assesses William Styron's 1967 novel, which reintroduced Turner during a transformative era in American society. This speculative history aims to reconstruct Turner's legacy from limited evidence, while also reflecting on the significance and interpretation of history itself.
Christopher Tomlins Boeken
Christopher Tomlins is een vooraanstaand hoogleraar rechten wiens onderzoek zich verdiept in de ingewikkelde relatie tussen recht, arbeid en de vorming van burgerlijke identiteit. Zijn werk onderzoekt kritisch hoe juridische en arbeidskundige structuren de opvattingen over vrijheid en burgerschap vormden tijdens de vormende tijdperken van de koloniale en vroege Amerikaanse samenleving. Hij biedt diepgaande inzichten in de historische evolutie van deze concepten, en levert een genuanceerd perspectief op de krachten die de Amerikaanse identiteit definieerden.
