Shadow of the Plantation

by Charles Johnson

Overview

Shadow of the Plantation focuses on descendants of slaves in one rural Southern community in the early part of this century. In the process, Johnson reviews the troubled history of race relations in the United States. When reread half a century after it was first written, Shadow of the Plantation is clearly revealed as a remarkably perceptive and fresh comment on race relations and the triumph of individuals over circumstances.Charles Johnson's book is significant for its use of multiple methodologies. The research took place in an ecological setting that was a dynamic element of the life of the community. The book is a multifaceted, interpretive survey of the 612 black families that composed the rural community of Macon County, Alabama, in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Johnson describes and analyzes their families, economic situation, education, religious activities, recreational life, and health practices.Shadow of the Plantation manages to be both historically accurate and foresighted at the same time. It is as much a book about today as it is a discussion of yesterday. This volume is an important study that will be of value to sociologists, anthropologists, and black studies specialists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781560008781
Publisher:	Transaction Publishers
Publication date:	07/31/1996
Series:	Black & African-American Studies
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

I: The Background; II: The Family; III: Economic Life of the Community; IV: The School and the People; V: Religion and the Church; VI: Play Life; VII: Survival; VIII: Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

"A masterpeice of fact-finding...the effect is more like that of an art than of a science." —John Crowe Ransom, American Review "Dr. Johnson has sought his folk like a scientist, but he has written them with an artists spirit." —Jonathan Daniels, Saturday Review "Professor Johnson's excellent reporting is often as full of human interest as any of the fine fiction lately written on this subject." —Samuel Gaillard Stoney, New York Herald Tribune

From the Publisher

A new edition of the influential sociological study by the late Sturgeon (social science Chair and President, Fisk U.) originally published in 1934 by University of Chicago Press still retains its value as an important contribution to the understanding of race relations in America. The research study concentrates on the lives of 612 black families in a rural community of Macon County, Alabama, in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Sturgeon writes eloquently about the plantation tradition, the community's family structures, economic life, education, religion, entertainment, and survival strategies. No bibliography. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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