Honor and Slavery: Lies, Duels, Noses, Masks, Dressing as a Woman, Gifts, Strangers, Humanitarianism, Death, Slave Rebellions, the Prosla

by Kenneth S. Greenberg

Book Overview

The "honorable men" who ruled the Old South had a language all their own, one comprised of many apparently outlandish features yet revealing much about the lives of masters and the nature of slavery. When we examine Jefferson Davis's explanation as to why he was wearing women's clothing when caught by Union soldiers, or when we consider the story of Virginian statesman John Randolph, who stood on his doorstep declaring to an unwanted dinner guest...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691017190
• ISBN13: 9780691017198
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Excellent look at the importance of honor in the Old South.

Greenberg has written an informative and entertaining book on the importance of honor among men of the Old South. He is able to link such diverse topics as P.T. Barnum and the Feejee Mermaid, duels, men dressed as women, nose-pulling, and baseball to the idea of honor. He theorizes that the emphasis of this idea is rooted slavery and the fact that slaves had no honor. While he accurately describes the playing out of honor in everyday white Southern life, the notion that this all found a basis in slavery is somewhat difficult to heartily agree to. Certainly other factors played a part of honor's development such as religion, heritage, politics, etc. Despite this, the book is very entertaining and would be enjoyed by both the serious student of Southern history and the average reader wanting to learn more about Southern life.

Excellent insight into the culture of Southern men of honor.

Kenneth Greenberg describes the habits, lives, and culture of "Southern men of honor (i.e. rich white planter sristocrats)." He illustrates how these men viewed the world about them and how the culture they created was dependent on slavery. Without slavery Southern Men of Honor could not exist. Slaves served as a statement of wealth and also as a relationship for the aristocrats. They considered slaves to be their opposites. Slaves were afraid. Men of honor were brave. Slaves never stood up to challanges, Men of honor always did even if it meant losing their life in a duel.