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Dred Scott's Revenge: A Legal History of Race and Freedom in America
by Andrew P. Napolitano (Author)
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Product Details
- Binding: Hardcover
- ISBN-10: 1595552650
- ISBN-13: 9781595552655
- Number Of Pages: 320
- Publication Date: April 21, 2009
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Product Features
- ISBN13: 9781595552655
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Product Description
Judge Andrew Napolitano lays bare the twisted legal history of racism in America.
"All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights" wedded the American soul to the concept that freedom comes from our humanity, not from the government. But American governments legally suspended the free will of blacks for 150 years, and then denied blacks equal protection of the law for another 150 years. How did this happen in America, how were the Constitution and laws of the land twisted so as to institutionalize racism, and how did it or will it end? In a refreshingly candid book, Dred Scott's Revenge: A Legal History of Race and Freedom In America, Judge Andrew P. Napolitano takes a no-holds-barred look at the role of the government in the denial of freedoms based on race.
Endorsements
"The best history of the law and race I've ever read. . . Judge Napolitano has written a challenge to anyone who thinks they understand the roots of America's tangled race relations." -- Juan Williams, National Public Radio
"The Attorney General ignited a firestorm by suggesting that ours was a nation of 'cowards' when it comes to conversations about race. Judge Andrew Napolitano is no coward. His brave and incisive book takes the calamitous, contemptuous Dred Scott decision, which held slaves to be "non-persons," as its starting point. In this sharply written narrative, the Judge shows us how race remains the driving force in almost every aspect of American life, from education to law enforcement. Dred Scott, the person, would have appreciated this graphic and honest appraisal." -- Geraldo Rivera, Fox News Channel
"Judge Napolitano . . . has written a riveting guide to the tumultuous history of our civil rights journey, coming to a post-racial society." -- Nat Hentoff, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, senior fellow at the Cato Institute
"Dred Scott's Revenge makes it impossible for the self-anointed 'experts' on race relations to ever accuse the country of being too afraid to have a national discussion on race. Judge Napolitano lays out 150 years of our national experience . . . and places the blame for much of what's wrong squarely at the feet of those responsible: the federal government and politicians whose plans, policies, and programs trashed the Constitution. Compelling and timely reading written for the layman, not lawyers!" -- Glenn Beck, Nationally syndicated radio talk show host; Host, The Glenn Beck Program, Fox News Channel
"It is said President Obama gave the definitive speech on race; well, Judge Andrew Napolitano has written the definitive book. [He] has broken new ground as he examines the precious link between the words men write about freedom and the true freedom of all men." -- Gov. Michael Steele, Chair, Republican National Committee
Customer Reviews
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Recently I finished reading Dred Scott's Revenge by Judge Andrew Napolitano. It is a detailed account of American racism over the past 200 years or so. Judge Napolitano, Fox News Senior Judicial Analyst, takes you through a historical perspective of racism in America, both in the North and South. The journey begins in the days of slavery, and comes all the way to our present day situation.
Being a fan of history, I already knew some of the information presented by the judge. I was familiar with some of the major court cases he presented, such as Plessy vs. Ferguson and Brown vs. Board of Education, but I was unfamiliar with some of the other information he presented. For example, nowhere before this book had I read of the racism of Abraham Lincoln, or seen evidence of racism being perpetuated by the federal government in order to stay in power. Particularly members of the federal government, as Napolitano proves, avoided desegregation or promoted segregation in order to keep votes and stay in office, rather than make decisions that are in line with the Constitution(such as "all men are created equal"). The more I read the more I became angry, and the more I realized how much I didn't know on the subject.
Judge Napolitano covers everything from the sadistic scene surrounding most public lynchings to the unbelievably harsh treatment of African-Americans. Regarding the public lynchings, those who were hanged were done so in front of an eager audience, often times families who made it a festive occasion. After death those in the lynch mob would often cut up the victim's body into pieces and hand them out as souvenirs. Time magazine even noted that the Nazis "did not stoop to selling the souvenirs of Auschwitz."
We are taught in history class the evils of Nazi Germany. Don't get me wrong; the Nazis performed some of the cruelest acts even performed. The amazing thing is that most Americans don't realize that we, yes us, were treating people just as badly in our own country, and just like the Nazis, no one in the country did anything.
Racism caused whites to hang, burn, beat, mutilate, dismember, drag behind wagons, urinate and defecate upon, rape, maime, and murder blacks. Why? For no other reason than the fact that they were black. This practice was permitted, and often encouraged, by government officials for nearly 100 years after the Civil War ended, and nobody did anything to stop it.
I must admit, this book made me absolutely furious. I was astounded to see quotes from presidents such as Lincoln and JFK that were blatantly racist, yet seemed okay in their culture. There are very few things that make me fightin' mad quickly, and racism is one of those things. If ever I encounter white supremacists, I just may do things that put me in jail.
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[...]. Dred's Scott Revenge is by far the best book I have read pertaining to slavery and racism in America. Judge Napolitano goes above and beyond the institution of slavery. He in facts brings out the ugly truth as to why slavery was allowed to continue for so long. Most reading this book will not like the truth he brings to life, especially when they start to read about Abraham Lincoln. But, as the saying goes, "the truth hurts." If you are interested in reading a different perspective on racism and slavery then this book is for you. But, it must be read with an open mind. If you are biased from the beginning, you will be wasting your time. Happy reading!
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Being familiar with Judge Napolitano from my viewing of Fox News I have a natural bias for him. Of the eight books that I have read on the subject of slavery I would have to say this ranks up near the top in terms of advancing my understanding of this complex issue. Many of the books on the subject covered the history of slavery or the day to day life of slaves or the relationship of the master class to their slaves. Important, for sure, but Napolitano's read should become required reading for any person who wants to render an opinion on the subject. The very idea that our federal government and our forefathers sanctioned slavery is a little inconsistant with country's fundamental premise that "all men are created equal".
Having grown up in a small town in the upper midwest - racism was not part of our vocabulary - the idea that one person could defame another simply because of race was not part of my value system. I first learned of racism when entered the service during the civil rights movements of the 60's. Judge Napolitano laid out the history of slavery adquately but where he did a wonderful job is laying out "positive" law and the very fact that the peculiar institution was sanctioned by federal law. The idea that "separate but equal" was codified within the laws of this country is stunning - really. Thanks to the judge for laying this out in such a clear and understandable way for a layman like myself.
There was one error in fact that was a little troubling. And, while I could be misinformed, it is my understanding the President Jefferson did not in fact free all of his slaves. Thankfully, I did not read this book for any other reason than to understand the relationship of the law to the institution of slavery. I was not looking for an end all on the subject - just a quick snapshot.
I am glad I read a book and would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.
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It's always a privilege to review a book as a Book Review Blogger for Thomas Nelson publishers. I happen to love history, especially American history. I've heard Judge Nap on Fox News a lot and was intrigued to see this book as an option in the BRB selections. With our first black President in office, I thought this might help me understand a little better the dynamics of race in America and it's history. This book did that and more.
Judge Nap takes us on a journey through a legal history of race in America. He has studied this thoroughly and his references are well documented. Beginning before the Revolutionary War and working right up to our present times, the Judge details the attempts to rid America of slavery, who was at the forefront, and the reasons why racism is still prevalent today.
The most troublesome section for me was frankly the role President Lincoln played. I'd always thought he was foremost the anti-slavery president. According to Judge Nap and his meticulous research, when it came right down to it, keeping the Nation together was more important than freeing ALL slaves. Want proof? Why did the emancipation proclamation not end slavery and racism? Lynchings and segregation existing right up until recently. Lincoln wasn't the only one. The founders also realized that if slavery was abolished entirely, a UNITED states would not have been possible.
If there is one thing that saddens me most, it is how the black community has been used over and over again for political expediency. Many church leaders were the worst culprits in promoting racism. I urge you to read this book. It will surely open your eyes to a race that has been held down both legally and emotionally for 300 years on this continent. You will surely look at people of color differently and with a heart of compassion.
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Book title: Dred Scott's Revenge
Author: Judge Andrew P. Napolitano
Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2009
Number of pages: 253
I'm deeply convicted that I wouldn't normally buy a book like this. I chose to review for Thomas Nelson Publishers and I'm glad I did. I learned much and I unlearned more.
I thought the terms "states rights" vs. "federal interventionism" were current political rhetoric. I always thought that this was current liberal vs. conservative (liberal being "federal interventionism" or "big government" and "states rights" being conservative). But this is the political language of slave owners "rights" vs. big abolitionist government. And when the an administration didn't want to step in and do the right thing concerning civil rights from Lincoln right up through JFK, they laid responsibility on the states. And many states, as we all know from fairly recent history, and one set of laws for white men, and separate codes for black.
I prejudged this book since I've seen Judge Napolitano often on Fox News. I expected this book to be the same kind of non-news propaganda pumped out by Fox News. But I found that Napolitano was more fair as an author than I am as a reader. Napolitano pulls no punches in this book. He gives the straight scoop on many of our political heroes. Men we've built monuments to and close banks and schools for were less pure than our school books portray. Napolitano is not cynical or unpatriotic, in fact, he is quite patriotic and just in his exposé of the double standard this country has governed by since its inception. Justice and reconciliation demand that one tells the truth about one's shortcomings. Our greatest sins cannot be swept under the carpet for the greater good. No good can come from wrongs glossed over, or worse, spun into something more palatable for mass consumption. Napolitano does his work well.
This book covers the topic of slavery, war, and the catastrophic consequences visited on every generation of Americans since our country's founding.
Napolitano demonstrates that the New World was founded and built on slavery. Christopher Columbus comments to his sponsors: "From here one might send, in the name of the Holy Trinity, as many slaves as could be sold."
Commonly accepted as a part of early (even current, occasionally) American Theology is "that God or nature selected the black race to do the labor in the harsh conditions of the Southern climate."
More humane states limited the flogging of slaves to only thirty-nine lashes. Sound familiar?
"The federal fugitive slave law allowed a master to claim a runaway slave even if he were found in a free state."
"President Andrew Jackson once offered a $50 reward for the capture of his fugitive slave and $10 extra for every hundred lashes any person would give the slave to the amount of $300."
Federally sponsored and/or permitted racism existed even in my lifetime both in the civilian and military realms. It's hard to believe that a black man was elected to the presidency in my lifetime. It demonstrates that there is hope for real race reconciliation in this country if people are willing to not be passive and vindictive.
I don't have room to get into what you will learn about the Great Emancipator Abraham Lincoln. Napolitano does the research and unearthed the documents punching holes in that rosy portrait.
I have to say again how impressed I was with the authors objectivity and balance. He had the opportunity to push other agendas and restrained himself. I was pleasantly surprised.
When you read the book (and you should), read the notes, acknowledgements and bibliography. ... Read More
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