Most studies of slavery are underpinned by ideology and idealism.
By focusing on slave culture, rather than producing another study of economic determinism, this massive study succeeds in reconceptualising an institution in an exciting new way..
Genovese\'s thesis is not wholly original; he adapts Gramsci\'s notion of hegemony to re-interpret the master-slave relationship - but it is an important example of the benefits of asking productive new questions about topics that seem, superficially at least, to be entirely obvious.
Eugene Genovese\'s ground-breaking book takes a stand against both these influences, arguing not only that all ideological history is bad history - a remarkable statement, coming from a self-professed Marxist - but also that slavery itself can only be understood if master and slave are studied together, rather than separately.
Most studies of slavery are underpinned by ideology and idealism
