Title
Secret and Sacred: The Diaries of James Henry Hammond, A Southern Slaveholder,Used
Delivery time: 8-12 business days (International)
Long encrusted in myth and legend, the planter aristocracy of the antebellum South has been depicted by a host of historians, economists, psychologists, novelists, dramatists, and moviemakers. Each has presented an interpretation of his or her own choosing. Now Carol Bleser brings us a remarkable set of diaries that allows one prominent planter and slaveholder to speak as himself and for himself. It affords a look at a vanished era unparalleled in its intimacy and candor.James Henry Hammond, virtually a character out of a Faulkner novel, was a poor boy, who married into wealth and then fought and struggled to make his South Carolina plantations and slaveholdings among the largest of the South. An articulate intellectual active in politics as a Congressman, U.S. Senator, and South Carolina governor, he became a leading spokesman for the Cotton Kingdom in the last years before the Civil War. He dominated his family, sexually violated his young nieces (causing a scandal that nearly wrecked his career), and fathered children by his slaves. And all the while, he kept his "secret and sacred" diaries, almost all of which survived and have been sequestered in archives until now. Spanning the critical years from 1841 to 1864, these diaries have been masterfully edited by Bleser, who preserves their historical validity so that Hammond's unvarnished voice speaks out clearly on everything from his personal travails to the turbulent politics and key personalities of his age. More importantly, she has gracefully explicated Hammond's background and smoothed the way for the general reader so that the diaries read like a novel, sweeping through the drama and ultimate disaster of the Old South. What emerges is a vivid portrait of a man whose wealth and intellect combined to make him an important Southern leader but whose deep character flaws kept him from the true greatness to which aspired.Anyone seeking to understand the crisis facing the Union, the nature of the Old South, the institution of slavery, and the aggrandisement of the planter class will have to read these diaries, which Louis Rubin describes in his foreword as "unique among all the historical works ever published about the Old South."
By changing our most important processes and
products, we have already made a big leap forward. This ranges from the
increased use of more sustainable fibers to the use of more
environmentally friendly printing processes to the development of
efficient waste management in our value chain.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
Secure Payment
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
We accept payments with :
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Paypal, Shopify Payments, Shop Pay and more.
Secure Payment
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
We accept payments with :
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Paypal, Shopify Payments, Shop Pay and more.
Related Products
You may also like
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main focus of 'Secret and Sacred: The Diaries of James Henry Hammond'? A: The book provides an intimate look at the life of James Henry Hammond, a prominent planter and slaveholder in the ante-bellum South, through his personal diaries, which reveal his thoughts on politics, slavery, and his personal life.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of the book is Carol K. Bleser, who has edited and provided context for Hammond's diaries.
- Q: When was this book published? A: The book was published on August 25, 1988.
- Q: What is the page count of 'Secret and Sacred'? A: The book contains 380 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This edition of the book is bound in hardcover.
- Q: Is the book in new condition? A: Yes, the book is listed as being in new condition.
- Q: What topics are covered in Hammond's diaries? A: Hammond's diaries cover a wide range of topics including his personal struggles, political climate, slavery, and the social dynamics of the Old South.
- Q: Why are Hammond's diaries considered significant? A: Hammond's diaries are significant because they provide a unique firsthand perspective on the life of a Southern slaveholder and the complexities of the era, making them an essential resource for understanding the history of the Old South.
- Q: Can this book help me understand the context of slavery in the South? A: Yes, the book offers valuable insights into the institution of slavery and the mindset of those who participated in it, which is crucial for understanding the historical context.
- Q: Is there any background information about James Henry Hammond included in the book? A: Yes, Carol Bleser provides background information about Hammond and context that helps readers understand his actions and the era he lived in.