In piecing together the fragmentary and conflicting evidence of the event, Reiss paints a picture of people looking at history, at the human body, at social class, at slavery, at performance, at death, and always--if obliquely--at themselves. At the same time, he reveals how deeply an obsession with race penetrated different facets of American life, from public memory to private fantasy. Concluding the book is a piece of historical detective work in which Reiss attempts to solve the puzzle of Heth's real identity before she met Barnum. His search yields a tantalizing connection between early mass culture and a slave's subtle mockery of her master.
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In piecing together the fragmentary and conflicting evidence of the event, Reiss paints a picture of people looking at history, at the human body, at social class, at slavery, at performance, at death, and always--if obliquely--at themselves. At the same time, he reveals how deeply an obsession with race penetrated different facets of American life, from public memory to private fantasy. Concluding the book is a piece of historical detective work in which Reiss attempts to solve the puzzle of Heth's real identity before she met Barnum. His search yields a tantalizing connection between early mass culture and a slave's subtle mockery of her master.
Imprint | Harvard University Press |
Country of origin | United States |
Release date | November 2001 |
Availability | Supplier out of stock. If you add this item to your wish list we will let you know when it becomes available. |
First published | October 2001 |
Authors | Benjamin Reiss |
Dimensions | 235 x 156 x 26mm (L x W x T) |
Format | Hardcover |
Pages | 256 |
ISBN-13 | 978-0-674-00636-2 |
Barcode | 9780674006362 |
Categories | |
LSN | 0-674-00636-4 |