Myths of American Slavery

by Walter Donald Kennedy

Book Overview

From one of the authors of the influential bestseller The South Was Right comes Myths of American Slavery --an unbiased history of one of the most controversial institutions effecting the United States.

Armed with an open mind and a wealth of historical sources, Kennedy tackles the most common misconceptions and misrepresentations about slavery in America. Indeed, one of the first issues Kennedy addresses is the extent to which slavery flourished...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1589800478
• ISBN13: 9781589800472
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

True History

For anyone that thinks that War between 1861-1865 was about slavery and thinks that lincoln was a man of high morale, ethics, and equality, this is a real eye-opener. It reveals well documented facts that disprove the myths, half-truths, and out right lies that we have ALL been taught through the public school systems, Hollywood, and the media. It should be read by people from all states....South, North, East, and West. Both liberals and conservatives should take this book in. Im sure those that that want to discredit this book are the people that do Not want to admit the truth. As others stated, this book in NO WAY defends slavery. It opens the Truth of what the Feds have hid behind for a 140 years. In this day and age, even through the brainwashing it is ludicrous that people are blind enough to think that War was over slavery.....ESPECIALLY when one starts studying the facts. People 'ignorant' to True history still do not want to believe the facts even when their 'facts' do not add up. This book is Not writtin as an uneducated opinion writing. It is a Very well researched and Highly documented work of true history. It should be used to educate people......regardless of where they live, race, or political views. It is a shame this book is Not used in schools....and until State sovereignty is returned, it probably never will. 5 STARS ALL THE WAY. A Must Read For ALL!!

Master Slave

I agree. The Civil War created the foundation for the New Slavery, called Federal Slavery. Modern American slaves are victims to more confiscation than 19th century slaves.I do not have to agree with all author Kennedy's points. Slavery was certainly a partial cause shown by reading Jefferson Davis's first inaugural speech in the 'new' confederate union. It had slavery all over it. But agreed the primary cause was taxation, likewise with most wars. This history of the world is one group living off the labor of another. I love how Kennedy speaks the truth here.Even today, we are forced to choose between being a Slave or a Master. Parents, teach your children not to be the Slave. Books like this give profound historical insight. The game never ends.This book further highlights that the Master & Slave relationship has not, and will not go away until people, black and white, have the courage to leave the modern Federal plantation. When forced, like in the USA, choose the master but embrace liberty. Great book!

Time to open our eyes

As early as elementary school we are taught the war was fought over the "peculiar institution." Unfortunately this falsehood is accepted for a number of reasons 1.) It fits our soundbite intellects because it's a short, simple explanation 2.) It's gratifying to the guilt complex of the liberal establishment in academia 3.) It glorifies our desire to make our government an idol worthy of our worship and service 4.) It ennobles the real father of our American empire, Abraham Lincoln UNFORTUNATELY IT IS NOT TRUEIrish-born Confederate General Patrick Cleburne said during the war, "If the South should lose, it means that the history of this heroic struggle will be written by the enemy. That our youth will be trained by Northern school teachers, will be impressed by all of the influences of history and education to regard our gallant dead as traitors and our maimed veterans as fit subjects for derision."This is certainly the case now. Northern revisionists have distorted the causes for which the southern soldier fought and died during the horrible conflict. In an attempt to justify and cover up the North's true motives for waging the war they have indoctrinated young students in the South with a biased and often inaccurate account of the War Between the States. The war was not fought for the perpetuation or emancipation of slaves. The conflict was a struggle between those who desired a confederation of independent and autonomous states to those who desired a strong federal government. Southerners only desired the rights which had been penned by their forefathers in the constitution. The southern soldier fought not to retain their slaves (93% of southerners owned no slaves at the start of the war), but for their independence. They believed they had the right to secede. Each state had of its own free will entered the Union. Should it not, if so desired, have the right to withdraw also. And, after all, had not America seceded from Britain? The Declaration of Independence states that when the government ceases to draw its power from the consent of the governed that, "...it is the right of the people to abolish it, and to institute a new government..."By 1861 the South was contributing 80% of the country's revenue through trade with Britian and recieving next to nothing in return. This, and the South's ever slipping grip on states' rights was what inspired the South to fight for its independenece. Now that we have covered the TRUE reasons for the War Between the States, lets look at a few facts...1.) As mentioned earlier 93% of southern families owned no slaves at the outbreak of the war.2.) Lincoln, in his inaugural address and throughout the war, stated that he had no desire to free the slaves and he felt he had, "no lawful right to do so." (inaugural speech) 3.) Were the slave states remaining in the Union fighting to abolish slavery, even as it flourished within their own borders?3.) What slaves did the Emancipation Proclamatio

An important, eye-opening book

Slavery has received numerous arguments and coverages which have ultimately fostered a series of unjust myths about history, and historical data is used by Kennedy to reveal the truth behind these myths. From the commonly-held misconceptions about the history of slavery (it has existed since prehistoric times and persists today) to the acknowledgment that slavery has been used by all races around the world, Myths Of American Slavery provides an important and iconoclastic coverage which surveys social, political and even religious interactions with slavery issues. An important, eye-opening book.