Frederick Law Olmsted

Journeys and Explorations in the Cotton Kingdom (eBook, ePUB)

A Traveller's Observations on Cotton and Slavery in the American Slave States Based Upon Three Former Journeys and Investigations

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In 'Journeys and Explorations in the Cotton Kingdom', Frederick Law Olmsted presents a profound sociopolitical study interwoven with travel narrative, deriving from his actual experiences in the Southern United States. Olmsted's meticulous observations expose the stark contrasts and detrimental impacts of slavery on the regions' economic and social landscapes in comparison to the burgeoning North. The book is written with a palpable literary prowess, its prose steeped in the ethos of 19th-century American literature, yet with a clear-eyed empirical approach to the subject at hand. Olmsted's narrative is neither solely anecdotal nor purely statistical, but rather a combination that offers a nuanced portrayal of the time's underlying complexities. Frederick Law Olmsted, widely recognized as a pioneering landscape architect, was also a social critic and journalist. His insights in the Cotton Kingdom are underpinned by his exposure to both progressive Northern practices and antiquated Southern ones, fueling the conviction evident in his writing. His landscapes were often idealized versions of American pastoral life, and his written works sought to address the stark realities obstructing such ideals. His belief in the inefficiency of slave labor and its corrosive effects provided a compelling argument for its abolition, the urgency of which was heightened with the outbreak of the Civil War. Olmsted's 'Journeys and Explorations in the Cotton Kingdom' offers an invaluable historical lens through which to view the American South on the brink of transformation. It is recommended not only for those interested in the antebellum period and Civil War history but also for readers who seek to understand the socio-economic groundwork that shaped modern America. Olmsted's work remains a seminal piece for anyone grappling with the historical foundations of American inequalities and seeking to understand the roots of systemic issues that continue to influence contemporary society.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: DigiCat
• Seitenzahl: 273
• Erscheinungstermin: 16. Dezember 2023
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 8596547754862
• Artikelnr.: 69545015

Autorenporträt

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) was an eminent American landscape architect, journalist, social critic, and public administrator. Most renowned for co-designing many well-known urban parks with his senior partner Calvert Vaux, including New York City's Central Park and Prospect Park, Olmsted's significant contribution to the American landscape has left an enduring legacy. Desirous of preserving natural landscapes and ensuring public access, Olmsted helped lay the foundation for environmental conservation in the United States. His literary pursuits paralleled his passion for the natural world; his travelogues and reformist literature reflect his keen observations and profound understanding of society and geography. 'Journeys and Explorations in the Cotton Kingdom' is a seminal work that compiles Olmsted's experiences and insights while traveling through the antebellum Southern United States during the 1850s. Originally a series of dispatches written for the 'New York Times,' this work offers a critical window into the social and economic conditions of the region and the lives of enslaved people. His writings exhibit his characteristic mix of meticulous descriptions and fervent advocacy for social reform, encapsulating Olmsted's profound influence on American letters and landscape design.