Slave Religion: The "Invisible Institution" in the Antebellum South

by Albert J. Raboteau

Overview

Twenty-five years after its original publication, Slave Religion remains a classic in the study of African American history and religion. In a new chapter in this anniversary edition, author Albert J. Raboteau reflects upon the origins of the book, the reactions to it over the past twenty-five years, and how he would write it differently today. Using a variety of first and second-hand sources— some objective, some personal, all riveting— Raboteau analyzes the transformation of the African religions into evangelical Christianity. He presents the narratives of the slaves themselves, as well as missionary reports, travel accounts, folklore, black autobiographies, and the journals of white observers to describe the day-to-day religious life in the slave communities. Slave Religion is a must-read for anyone wanting a full picture of this "invisible institution."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195174120
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	10/07/2004
Edition description:	Updated Edition
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	5.42(w) x 7.95(h) x 0.78(d)

About the Author

Albert J. Raboteau is Henry W. Putnam Professor of Religion at Princeton University and author of Canaan Land (OUP),A Fire in the Bones, and A Sorrowful Joy.

Editorial Reviews

"Excellent....The wealth of research Raboteau has collected makes this the summary on the subject."—M. McGlom, Avila College

"A splendid text for undergraduate students which provides insights into the nature and history of African-American religion, a subject often ignored in religion in America texts."—Bernard H. Cochran, Meredith College

"An excellent, judicious, balanced, carefully researched synthesis—raises the hard questions."—J. Careton Hayden, Univ. of the South

"With this book no American church historian can any longer neglect the black Christian story."—Church History

"Provides a convincing argument for the distinctiveness of black religion."—The Black Perspective in Music

"Sound scholarship, judicious reflection and accessible style....Raboteau provides a good synthesis of recent work on slave religion and buttresses it with his own judgments and research."—Eugene Genovese, The New Republic

"Raboteau is the first to examine in detail the religious life of the slaves....Such a book was long overdue and Raboteau's work will undoubtedly become the standard text on slave religion."—Commonweal

"Indispensable for courses in African-American religion or even in upper division undergraduate courses in American religious history. Keep it in print for manyu years to come."—Rodger Payne, University of Virginia

"It's a classic and it is still an indispensable introduction to the topic. Don't ever let it go out of print!"—Cheryl Townsend Gilkes, Colby College

From the Publisher