Transatlantic Africa: 1440-1888 offers an African-centric interpretation of the Atlantic slave trade. Based on careful reading of Africans' oral histories and traditions; written documents; and visual evidence; the book focuses not on the mechanics or operation of the Atlantic slaving system; but rather on the beliefs; ideas; and worldviews of the Africans who experienced it. It examines the internal workings of African societies and their members at various strata in the transatlantic era; strongly emphasizing the global context and the multiplicity of African experiences during that period; and interpreting the process of transatlantic slaving and its consequences through largely African and diasporic primary sources. By integrating Africans' viewpoints with critical interpretations; Transatlantic Africa: 1440-1888 balances intellectual rigor with broad accessibility; helping students to think about the Atlantic slave trade from a new perspective.
#147949 in Books Oxford University Press; USA 2013-04-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.80 x .80 x 8.40l; .72 #File Name: 0199739323208 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Excellent Illustration of the Methods of the Ancient HistorianBy Robert BostockThe 'Emblems of Antiquity' series by OUP presents aspects of ancient history for the general reader by focusing on a particular object from antiquity and teasing out its ramifications for the period in question. Glen Bowersock's study of the throne of Adulis fulfils this remit admirably. The subject matter of the book is summarized succinctly in the `Book Description' given above (taken from the dust-jacket). It is a fascinating micro-history of a little known period in ancient history; and readers should not expect more. While Bowersock does draw out the wider implications of the period for the religious and political history of the middle east; the book is not designed to be a general introduction to such matters; for which the interested reader can readily go elsewhere. What the book does do is present for the general reader the findings of painstaking research into historical events for which the literary record is largely non-existent. As such; the ancient historian is forced to fall back upon other types of evidence; and to combine these in order to reconstruct events. The backbone of the present work is a 16th century manuscript copy of a work written by a Byzantine traveller in the 6th century; who copied out the inscription on a ceremonial throne (the 'Throne of Adulis') which is now lost. In order to supplement this scant material; various sources are called upon: inscriptions written in ancient Ethiopian; coinage (always crucial in ancient history); entries in late Byzantine encyclopedias; and much more. On the one hand the reader is left with a very vivid picture of how tenuous our hold on the past really is; on the other hand we are shown how much can be salvaged by the careful work of scholars whose work we might otherwise be tempted to deride as trivial and of no practical application. Although the subject matter alone is enthralling; the general reader would in addition be hard pressed to find a more compelling illustration of the methods of the ancient historian.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An important historical workBy Michael L. BatesA historical tour de force; touching on many fascinating topics; above all the existence of a major Jewish kingdom in southwestern Arabia; the Himyarite realm of sixth-century Yemen; unrecognized until recent decades and now becoming better known in large part because of Bowersock's research and writing. This is also an enjoyable read; for both amateur and professional historians.Michael L. Bates; Ph.D.Curator Emeritus of Islamic CoinsThe American Numismatic Society3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. a very interesting subject; but a difficult writing styleBy YevgenBought this book in order to obtain more knowledge about enigmatic Jewish kingdom of Arabia and its relations with Ethiopian Empire. I have to admit that author has a good knowledge of the historical sources and modern theories about their meaning. He gets many pieces of information and makes the convincing conclusion about the geography; peoples and states. His explanations of the political and commercial interests of the world powers of that time; help to understand better the course of history. I like the book; but gave it just 3 stars due to the author's writing style; which is rather difficult to follow (I am not a native English speaker). I feel there are too many repetitions and logical circles in some places; while other are sketchy at best. Too little is said about the Jewish kingdom itself and no explanation given about King's Yusuf bloody hostility towards Arabic Christians. historical and Church accounts taken without proper critical reading - so a reader gets a feeling if some 'mad king' actions. Also there is no much explanations of the relations between Arabic tribe confederations and Arabic jewish (Christian) kingdoms.Having said that; I recommend this book for the reading to anyone; interested in the historical background at the eve of Islam. But I suggest that such a reader be ready for not 'easy reading' with this book.
