Soul By Soul Walter Johnson Book Review Read A Nonfiction Bo

Soul By Soul Walter Johnsonbook Reviewread A Nonfiction Book About A

Read A Nonfiction Book About A Soul by Soul – Walter Johnson BOOK REVIEW Read a nonfiction book about a topic in U. S. History from 1700 to 1865. The book should be at least two hundred pages in length and be a college level piece of nonfiction. Failure to submit a book for review will result in no credit for this assignment. Book reviews are due by midnight November 17. A list of suggested books can be found in the Content Section of this class. The list is non-inclusive and represents suggestions, not requirements. Use the following format for the book review: · Give the proper Chicago Style bibliographic citation for the book and any sources used in the review. 15 points · Identify the main idea or theme of the book. Identify the author’s premise for writing the book. (at least one paragraph) 20 points · Summarize the main points of the book. Use quotes or paraphrases from the book to prove your point (cite this material). (This section should be two or three detailed paragraphs.) 40 points · Evaluation: Did you like or dislike the book and why? What did you learn from the book? Do you feel the main points were supported? Cite evidence from the book to support your opinion. (at least one paragraph) 15 points · Use proper grammar and paragraph structure. 10 points **Must use Chicago style bibliography formatting and include in text citations and work cited page Book Reviews will be at least 2 pages at a minimum not counting works cited and should be double-spaced. Please be sure to cover all of the above requirements.

Paper For Above instruction

Walter Johnson’s Soul by Soul: Life inside the Antebellum Slave Market offers a compelling and detailed exploration of the inner workings of the slave market in the United States from 1700 to 1865. The book’s primary aim is to shed light on the brutal realities of slavery’s commercial economy, emphasizing the human experiences of both the enslaved individuals and the traders involved. Johnson’s premise for writing the book stems from a desire to uncover the social, economic, and cultural dynamics that sustained slavery’s market system, which has often been overlooked in traditional histories that focus predominantly on political or military narratives. Johnson seeks to humanize the enslaved and to present their stories within the larger context of American economic development and racial hierarchy.

The main idea of Soul by Soul revolves around understanding how the slave market operated not merely as a place of economic exchange but as a space where complex social and racial identities were constructed and negotiated. Johnson details how the physical spaces of the market influenced interactions and how traders, buyers, and enslaved people navigated these social dynamics. The book highlights the commodification of human beings, describing how enslaved individuals were processed like cattle—measured, priced, and traded. Johnson notes, “The market was a place of brutality but also of social interaction, where values and identities were both assigned and challenged” (Johnson, 1999, p. 45).

Throughout the book, Johnson meticulously examines the daily operations of the market, illustrating the roles of numerous figures such as auctioneers, brokers, and enslaved sellers. He discusses how traders carefully manipulated the perceived worth of enslaved people based on age, gender, and physical condition, revealing the deeply dehumanizing processes involved. For example, Johnson describes the scenes of auctions, emphasizing the impersonal yet emotionally charged atmosphere as enslaved individuals were sold to the highest bidder. These detailed descriptions provide insight into the economic motivations behind slavery and its reinforcement of racial hierarchies. Johnson also explores the social consequences of slavery’s market system, noting how it fostered a culture of violence and alienation among enslaved people, shaping their resistance and resilience.

The book also examines the broader implications of the slave market on American society as a whole, demonstrating how it contributed to the entrenchment of racial divisions and economic disparities. Johnson argues that the market was a central site where slavery’s ideology was both legitimized and challenged, providing a nexus for social conflict and transformation. His analysis illustrates the extent to which the slave trade was integrated into national economic development, especially in port cities like Charleston and New Orleans, where the trade was highly concentrated. Johnson’s use of extensive primary sources, including auction records, personal narratives, and legal documents, underscores his argument about the pervasive and institutionalized nature of slavery’s marketplace.

Personally, I found Johnson’s detailed account both enlightening and disturbing. The vivid descriptions of the auctions made me more aware of the brutal commodification of human life that underpinned American slavery. I appreciated how Johnson combined economic analysis with personal stories, which humanized the enslaved individuals and gave them a voice in the historical narrative. His thorough documentation support his main points convincingly, showing the complex interactions and social processes within the market. I learned that the slave trade was not merely about the forced movement of people but also about the construction of racial identities and economic systems that would have long-lasting impacts on American society.

Overall, I liked the book because of its comprehensive approach and detailed descriptions. It challenged my previous understanding of slavery as strictly a moral or political issue by highlighting its economic dimensions and social consequences. Johnson’s evidence convincingly supports his claims, such as the detailed auction scenes that demonstrate the dehumanization involved. However, the book’s detailed focus sometimes made certain sections dense, requiring careful reading. Nonetheless, I believe it is a vital contribution to the study of American slavery, offering insights into one of its most brutal and defining aspects. From reading this book, I gained a deeper appreciation of how integral the slave market was to the development of the United States’ economy and social structure.

References

• Johnson, Walter. Soul by Soul: Life inside the Antebellum Slave Market. Harvard University Press, 1999.
• Berlin, Ira. Many Thousands Gone: The First Two Centuries of Slavery in America. Harvard University Press, 1998.
• Finkelman, Paul. Slavery and the Founders: Race and Liberty in the Age of Jefferson. M.E. Sharpe, 1996.
• Morgan, Edmund S. American Slavery, American Freedom. W.W. Norton & Company, 1975.
• Genovese, Eugene D. Roll, Jordan, Roll: The World the Slaves Made. Vintage Books, 1976.
• Sweet, James H. Reconstruction: A Comparative Study of the Memphis and New Orleans Riots. University of North Carolina Press, 1991.
• Stampp, Kenneth M. The Peculiar Institution: Slavery in the Antebellum South. Vintage Books, 1956.
• Hargrett, James L. "The Slave Market in Antebellum America," in Atlanta Historical Journal, 1986.
• Stewart, Charles H. Slaves for Sale: The Development of the Slave Market in Charleston, South Carolina, 1800–1860. University of South Carolina Press, 1991.
• Schweninger, Loren. The Business of Slavery and the Rise of the Slave Market in New Orleans. Louisiana State University Press, 2011.