River of Dark Dreams: Slavery and Empire in the Cotton Kingdom
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2013
560
Book • Nonfiction
Southern United States • 19th Century
2013
Adult
18+ years
In River of Dark Dreams: Slavery and Empire in the Cotton Kingdom, Walter Johnson examines the antebellum South's cotton economy, emphasizing the entangled lives of enslaved individuals and their enslavers. The narrative explores how economic ambitions and exploitation fueled a violent, oppressive system, deeply affecting the sociopolitical landscape of the United States.
Informative
Dark
Unnerving
Challenging
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Walter Johnson's River of Dark Dreams offers a profound exploration of the economic and moral complexities of slavery in the antebellum South. Critics praise its ambitious analysis and detailed research but note its dense prose may challenge casual readers. Despite this, the book's insights into capitalism and slavery make it a compelling read for those interested in American history.
Readers of River of Dark Dreams would likely appreciate in-depth historical exploration of slavery's economic and social impact. Similar interests might align with the audiences of The Half Has Never Been Told by Edward E. Baptist and The Empire of Cotton by Sven Beckert. These works suit those intrigued by history, economics, and social justice.
545 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
560
Book • Nonfiction
Southern United States • 19th Century
2013
Adult
18+ years
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