Louis Filler – författare

Slavery in the United States clarifies the institution of slavery in its historical context. Filler avoids the all too prevalent literary attitude of either treating slavery as an unmitigated nightmare from the past, or regarding it as a way of life which warmly repaid slave and slaveholder. He does not reduce the issue to one of fact and figures, nor does he inject endless hypotheses and analogues. Rather, this finely etched volume encompasses the human implications of slavery and its practices. It emphasizes the distinguished and disreputable elements on both sides of the slavery relationship, and in every part of the United States.

Slavery offers peculiar challenges to the student of American life, past and present. It is unrealistic to avoid the human implications of slavery and its practice. It is equally unhelpful to assume glib and partial viewpoints with respect to so all-embracing a system as slavery became. The cause of progress, no less than social science, is not advanced by indifference to patent facts. The civil libertarian who romanticizes black people indiscriminately, and lumps Jefferson Davis with Simon Legree may win popularity with enthusiasts and ideologues. But they will soon find themselves quaint and outmoded.

The author reminds us that "the safest approach to slavery is to determine what the institution meant to the country at large; why it flourished as it did, and how it came to be opposed and overthrown." The work includes high quality often neglected readings that permit the reader to form his or her own views. It reveals the best writing on all aspects of the slavery issue, as well as analytic summations by contemporary historians and social researchers.

Slavery in the United States clarifies the institution of slavery in its historical context. Filler avoids the all too prevalent literary attitude of either treating slavery as an unmitigated nightmare from the past, or regarding it as a way of life which warmly repaid slave and slaveholder. He does not reduce the issue to one of fact and figures, nor does he inject endless hypotheses and analogues. Rather, this finely etched volume encompasses the human implications of slavery and its practices. It emphasizes the distinguished and disreputable elements on both sides of the slavery relationship, and in every part of the United States.

Slavery offers peculiar challenges to the student of American life, past and present. It is unrealistic to avoid the human implications of slavery and its practice. It is equally unhelpful to assume glib and partial viewpoints with respect to so all-embracing a system as slavery became. The cause of progress, no less than social science, is not advanced by indifference to patent facts. The civil libertarian who romanticizes black people indiscriminately, and lumps Jefferson Davis with Simon Legree may win popularity with enthusiasts and ideologues. But they will soon find themselves quaint and outmoded.

The author reminds us that "the safest approach to slavery is to determine what the institution meant to the country at large; why it flourished as it did, and how it came to be opposed and overthrown." The work includes high quality often neglected readings that permit the reader to form his or her own views. It reveals the best writing on all aspects of the slavery issue, as well as analytic summations by contemporary historians and social researchers.

Muckraking and progressivism have always marched arm-in-arm, cutting a wide path through modern American history. Originally published as Appointment at Armageddon, Filler''s book is a vital contribution in understanding the intrinsic dynamic of reform in American life. It extracts from the issues that fostered progressivism and muckraking an essence that illuminates contemporary debate.

Filler points out that early twentieth-century progressivism was essentially middle class, seeking common denominators for social interests. It was also a modernizing force in such areas as child labor, poverty, farm problems, and race relations. In his new introduction, Filler reviews various instances of progressivism throughout history.

Filler maintains that progressivism died out when pride in its achievements turned to bitterness. Rather than celebrating the progress made by outstanding Americans, such as W.E.B. DuBois and Susan B. Anthony, various groups began focusing only on the oppressed and the oppressors. By concentrating on the negative instead of the positive, Americans abandoned the forward-looking tenets of turn of the century progressivism.

Muckraking and Progressivism in the American Tradition is a timely book. It is needed to inspire Americans to find a new way to solve current dilemmas. This significant work will be of interest to sociologists, historians, and political theorists.

Muckraking and progressivism have always marched arm-in-arm, cutting a wide path through modern American history. Originally published as Appointment at Armageddon, Filler''s book is a vital contribution in understanding the intrinsic dynamic of reform in American life. It extracts from the issues that fostered progressivism and muckraking an essence that illuminates contemporary debate.

Filler points out that early twentieth-century progressivism was essentially middle class, seeking common denominators for social interests. It was also a modernizing force in such areas as child labor, poverty, farm problems, and race relations. In his new introduction, Filler reviews various instances of progressivism throughout history.

Filler maintains that progressivism died out when pride in its achievements turned to bitterness. Rather than celebrating the progress made by outstanding Americans, such as W.E.B. DuBois and Susan B. Anthony, various groups began focusing only on the oppressed and the oppressors. By concentrating on the negative instead of the positive, Americans abandoned the forward-looking tenets of turn of the century progressivism.

Muckraking and Progressivism in the American Tradition is a timely book. It is needed to inspire Americans to find a new way to solve current dilemmas. This significant work will be of interest to sociologists, historians, and political theorists.

This festschrift celebrates the accomplishments of renowned social scientist Irving Louis Horowitz as he turned sixty-five. Since Horowitz''s views were global and his discourse was never restricted to national boundaries, the volume includes contributions from across the globe. Collectively, the book represents a personal as well as an intellectual statement from the contributors, as each one was a friend and colleague of Horowitz.

The life span of Horowitz''s ideas stretches across boundaries, many which are focused on in The Democratic Imagination. The twenty-seven essays address Horowitz''s work, ideas, and influence. Horowitz was well known for his analysis of the situation in Cuba, disarray in American sociology, the impacts of technology on the publishing industry, and policy-making in the post-Cold-War era. Contributions also take note of Horowitz''s involvement in diverse areas: his work with Robert Kennedy; Radio Marti; the United States General Accounting Office, and his efforts on behalf of the freedom of the press.

In a final section, Horowitz responds to each of the contributors. This work, celebrating one of the most esteemed social scientists of the twentieth century, acknowledges his manifold contributions to the multiple areas in which he worked.

This festschrift celebrates the accomplishments of renowned social scientist Irving Louis Horowitz as he turned sixty-five. Since Horowitz''s views were global and his discourse was never restricted to national boundaries, the volume includes contributions from across the globe. Collectively, the book represents a personal as well as an intellectual statement from the contributors, as each one was a friend and colleague of Horowitz.

The life span of Horowitz''s ideas stretches across boundaries, many which are focused on in The Democratic Imagination. The twenty-seven essays address Horowitz''s work, ideas, and influence. Horowitz was well known for his analysis of the situation in Cuba, disarray in American sociology, the impacts of technology on the publishing industry, and policy-making in the post-Cold-War era. Contributions also take note of Horowitz''s involvement in diverse areas: his work with Robert Kennedy; Radio Marti; the United States General Accounting Office, and his efforts on behalf of the freedom of the press.

In a final section, Horowitz responds to each of the contributors. This work, celebrating one of the most esteemed social scientists of the twentieth century, acknowledges his manifold contributions to the multiple areas in which he worked.