The debate among those who sought to abolish slavery in America was a crucial one in the history of the nation, for it raised a great many questions we are still debating. Reading Ms. Kraditor's study of the abolitionists' thinking on the goals, strategy, and tactics of their cause, the modern reader can hardly escape seeing parallels with present-day politics and protest movements. Ms. Kraditor focuses on arguments over the role of women in the Anti-Slavery Society, over religion, and over political action. She sees a struggle between "respectability" and radical action which continues to reverberate. "From first to last this lucid, important book challenges preconceptions. Obviously Professor Kraditor intends to provoke critical reexamination of many points she raises, and in this she is brilliantly successful.... Her book is a fruitful exploration into the history of a great movement."-Harold M. Hyman, Book World. "Original, perceptive, provocative."-American Historical Review

About the Author
Aileen S. Kraditor is Professor Emeritus of History at Boston University and a Fellow of the Society of American Historians. Her other books include The Ideas of Woman Suffrage Movement, 1890-1920; Up from the Pedestal: Selected Writings in the History of American Feminism; The Radical Persuasion, 1890-1917; and Jimmy Higgins: The Mental World of the American Rank-and-File Communist, 1930-1958.

Reviews
From first to last this lucid, important book challenges preconceptions.... In this she is brilliantly successful. -- Harold M. Hyman * Book World *
A meticulous examination. -- Fawn Brodie * New Republic *
Superior to anything else published on the subject. -- Don E. Fehrenbacher * American Historical Review *
Original, perceptive, provocative. * American Historical Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9780929587165
Author Aileen S. Kraditor
Format Paperback
Page Count 311
Imprint Ivan R Dee, Inc
Publisher Ivan R Dee, Inc
Weight(grams) 426g
Dimensions(mm) 218mm * 144mm * 21mm