In brief, Patterson contends that the fear of slavery first created a real love of personal freedom among women, who were most at risk of enslavement and who could yearn for emancipation because their honor would not have been destroyed by a period of enslavement. Slavery played a decisive role in this struggle, in Patterson's view, because small producers envied the larger slaveholders and demanded civic equality. Alas, Patterson's conclusions exceed his evidence. But Patterson's most important argument remains the relationship of slavery to liberty. Indeed, Patterson seems ambivalent about this most fundamental of Western values.
Freedom is a valuable work, packed with information and thoughtful analysis.
Yet Patterson's overemphasis on the role of slavery and his muddling of the definition of freedom make the volume a frustrating read. Religion and Liberty Acton Institute 161 Ottawa NW, Ste.