Plot Summary

Them Dark Days

William Dusinberre
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Them Dark Days

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1996

Book Brief

William Dusinberre

Them Dark Days

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1996
Book Details
Pages

576

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Southern United States • 19th Century

Publication Year

1996

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1450L

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Super Short Summary

Them Dark Days: Slavery in the American Rice Swamps by William Dusinberre details the harrowing conditions endured by enslaved individuals on rice plantations in South Carolina and Georgia. Focusing on the Manigault, Butler, and Allston families, Dusinberre intertwines the broader history of American slavery and rice production with personal narratives of those enslaved, highlighting their unimaginable suffering and resilience. Topics of extreme violence and inhumane treatment are presented candidly.

Dark

Unnerving

Informative

Challenging

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.6

24 ratings

79%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

William Dusinberre's Them Dark Days is celebrated for its meticulous research and vivid portrayal of antebellum Southern plantations. Readers commend its rich historical context but note the dense academic prose might deter casual readers. Yet, for those invested in the era's complexities, it's an enlightening read on the harsh realities of slave life.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Them Dark Days?

A reader who would enjoy Them Dark Days by William Dusinberre is likely interested in the intricate dynamics of slavery and plantation life in the Antebellum South. Comparable to Slavery by Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon and The Half Has Never Been Told by Edward E. Baptist, this book appeals to those who seek a detailed, scholarly examination of historical injustices.

4.6

24 ratings

79%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

576

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Southern United States • 19th Century

Publication Year

1996

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1450L

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