![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() McCurry endeavors from the outset to clearly outline the flawed logic of the Confederacy’s founders in provoking “precisely the transformation of their own political culture that they had hoped to avoid by secession” (1). Instead, the book offers a full-scale examination of the political actors (white and black) that contributed to a marked shift in Confederate policy regarding women and slavery-developments that McCurry argues affected a newly-(re)United States in the aftermath of the war. Yet, in McCurry’s work readers will find a pronounced movement away from simply addressing the question of why the Confederacy failed. Throughout her analysis, she clearly illustrates that the fundamental pro-slavery ideologies upon which the short-lived nation rested ultimately contributed to its downfall. Stephanie McCurry’s latest work offers a welcomed examination of the “Confederate Project” as it existed from 1860 to 1865. ![]() Confederate Reckoning: Power and Politics in the Civil War South by Stephanie McCurry. ![]()
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![]() We acknowledge (and remind and warn you) that they may, in fact, be entirely unrepresentative of the actual reviews by any other measure. Similarly the illustrative quotes chosen here are merely those the complete review subjectively believes represent the tenor and judgment of the review as a whole. Please note that these ratings solely represent the complete review 's biased interpretation and subjective opinion of the actual reviews and do not claim to accurately reflect or represent the views of the reviewers. Not a page-turner, but packed with a sense of wonder, coupled to human experiences few of us have had to face." - Tom Shippey, Wall Street Journal Now they have a classic example to point to. Sci-fi fans often boast about their favorite genre’s diversity and universality.
![]() ![]() Mob attacks symbolize the extreme violence in which intolerance and oppression may manifest. However, Ijeoma realizes that her mother’s interpretations of the Bible stories seem very narrow and wrongheaded, and that the Bible itself is just a reflection of specific, inflexible cultural ideas. Heads separated from their bodies, bodies relieved. Adaora attempts to use Bible stories to convey the cultural belief that homosexuality is sinful and immoral. From 1967 to 1970, the Nigerian state of Biafra tried but failed to gain its independence in a civil war that left a million dead. In the novel, the Bible symbolizes the dangers of tradition and narrow-mindedness. Years later, Ijeoma has a nightmare that she interprets as meaning that she needs to escape her marriage immediately. For example, Amina interprets a nightmare as meaning that she should end her relationship with Ijeoma. ![]() ![]() The characters often attempt to interpret their dreams and nightmares in terms of meanings related to their lives. In the novel, dreams and nightmares symbolize fears, epiphanies, and internal struggles. ![]() ![]() Myers’s writing is tight, flows with a hip-hop beat, and keeps the reader moving quickly through this short novel. ![]() The novel is written entirely in short bursts of free verse poetry, which sounds like something that might turn teen readers off, but oddly enough, it works. ![]() In this modern urban retelling of Shakespeare’s classic play Romeo and Juliet, Myers brings a new spin on the story to a new generation. What will Damien have to do to make sure that he and Junice can stay together? As Damien defies his parents’ wishes by continuing his relationship with Junice, he finds his life going in a direction he never expected. Damien and Junice are so different, but when they meet, it is love at first sight. Junice and her sister are in danger of being separated and put into foster care, and it doesn’t seem like Junice can do anything to stop it. Her mother is in prison for dealing drugs, and it’s up to Junice to support herself and her little sister. Junice is a 16-year-old girl who is struggling just to stay off the streets. His family has supported him and sacrificed to make his life comfortable and build a promising future for him. ![]() Will they ever find a way to be together?ĭamien is a 17-year-old basketball whiz and star student with college in his immediate future. Damien and Junice come from very different backgrounds, but they fall in love nonetheless. ![]() |