Before 1865, slavery and freedom coexisted tenuously in America in an environment that made it possible not only for enslaved women to become free but also for emancipated women to suddenly lose their independence. Wilma King now examines a wide-ranging body of literature to show that, even in the face of economic deprivation and draconian legislation, many free black women were able to maintain some form of autonomy and lead meaningful lives. The Essence of Liberty blends social, political, and economic history to ...
Read More
Before 1865, slavery and freedom coexisted tenuously in America in an environment that made it possible not only for enslaved women to become free but also for emancipated women to suddenly lose their independence. Wilma King now examines a wide-ranging body of literature to show that, even in the face of economic deprivation and draconian legislation, many free black women were able to maintain some form of autonomy and lead meaningful lives. The Essence of Liberty blends social, political, and economic history to analyze black women's experience in both the North and the South, from the colonial period through emancipation. Focusing on class and familial relationships, King examines the myriad sources of freedom for black women to show the many factors that, along with time spent in slavery before emancipation, shaped the meaning of freedom. Her book also raises questions about whether free women were bound to or liberated from gender conventions of their day. Drawing on a wealth of untapped primary sources--not only legal documents and newspapers but also the diaries, letters, and autobiographical writings of free women--King opens a new window on the world of black women. She examines how they became free, educated themselves, found jobs, maintained self-esteem, and developed social consciousness--even participating in the abolitionist movement. She considers the stance of southern free women toward their enslaved contemporaries and the interactions between previously free and newly freed women after slavery ended. She also looks closely at women's spirituality, disclosing the dilemma some women faced when they took a stand against men--even black men--in order to follow their spiritual callings. Throughout this engaging history, King underscores the pernicious constraints that racism placed on the lives of free blacks in spite of the fact that they were not enslaved. The Essence of Liberty shows the importance of studying these women on their own terms, revealing that the essence of freedom is more complex than the mere absence of shackles.
Read Less
Add this copy of The Essence of Liberty: Free Black Women During the to cart. $3.73, fair condition, Sold by Upward bound books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Valrico, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by University of Missouri Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. This item is worn. May have signs of wear this may include aesthetic issues such as scratches, dents and worn corners. All pages and the cover are intact, but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include moderate to heavy number of notes and highlighting, but the text is not obscured or unreadable.
Add this copy of The Essence of Liberty: Free Black Women During the to cart. $3.78, very good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by University of Missouri.
Add this copy of The Essence of Liberty: Free Black Women During the to cart. $5.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by University of Missouri.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of The Essence of Liberty: Free Black Women During the to cart. $6.90, very good condition, Sold by Midtown Scholar Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Harrisburg, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by University of Missouri.
Add this copy of The Essence of Liberty: Free Black Women During the to cart. $7.14, good condition, Sold by Midtown Scholar Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Harrisburg, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by University of Missouri.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good-Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name-GOOD PAPERBACK Standard-sized.
Add this copy of Essence of Liberty Format: Paperback to cart. $31.40, new condition, Sold by Websew Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Avenel, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by University of Missouri Press.
Add this copy of The Essence of Liberty: Free Black Women During the to cart. $32.06, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by University of Missouri.
Add this copy of The Essence of Liberty to cart. $36.00, very good condition, Sold by eCampus rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lexington, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Univ of Missouri Pr.
Add this copy of The Essence of Liberty: Free Black Women During the to cart. $46.00, good condition, Sold by Solr Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Skokie, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by University of Missouri Press.
Add this copy of The Essence of Liberty: Free Black Women During the to cart. $49.95, like new condition, Sold by Ed's Editions, LLC rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, SC, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by University of Missouri.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Like New. Trade paperback in stiff wrappers. Spine slightly sunned and small paw imprint stamped inside front free endpaper. Text is clean and otherwise unmarked. Appears unread. Professional packaging and prompt shipping.