Fatal Revolutions
Natural History, West Indian Slavery, and the Routes of American Literature
By Christopher P. Iannini | Publisher: Omohundro Institute and UNC Press
About the book
Drawing on letters, illustrations, engravings, and neglected manuscripts, Christopher Iannini connects two dramatic transformations in the eighteenth-century Atlantic world — the emergence and growth of the Caribbean plantation system and the rise of natural science. Iannini argues that these transformations were not only deeply interconnected, but that together they established conditions fundamental to the development of a distinctive literary culture in the early Americas. In fact, eighteenth-century natural history as a literary genre largely took its shape from its practice in the Caribbean, an oft-studied region that was a prime source of wealth for all of Europe and the Americas.
The formal evolution of colonial prose narrative, Ianinni argues, was contingent upon the emergence of natural history writing, which itself emerged necessarily from within the context of Atlantic slavery and the production of tropical commodities. As he reestablishes the history of cultural exchange between the Caribbean and North America, Ianinni recovers the importance of the West Indies in the formation of American literary and intellectual culture as well as its place in assessing the moral implications of colonial slavery.
Editions of Fatal Revolutions
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807835562
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469669427
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469601922
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890842503
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807838181
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890842497
Read an Excerpt
Drawing on letters, illustrations, engravings, and neglected manuscripts, Christopher Iannini connects two dramatic transformations in the eighteenth-century Atlantic world — the emergence and growth of the Caribbean plantation system and the rise of natural science. Iannini argues that these transformations were not only deeply interconnected, but that together they established conditions fundamental to the development of a distinctive literary culture in the early Americas. In fact, eighteenth-century natural history as a literary genre largely took its shape from its practice in the Caribbean, an oft-studied region that was a prime source of wealth for all of Europe and the Americas.
The formal evolution of colonial prose narrative, Ianinni argues, was contingent upon the emergence of natural history writing, which itself emerged necessarily from within the context of Atlantic slavery and the production of tropical commodities. As he reestablishes the history of cultural exchange between the Caribbean and North America, Ianinni recovers the importance of the West Indies in the formation of American literary and intellectual culture as well as its place in assessing the moral implications of colonial slavery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fatal Revolutions about?
Drawing on letters, illustrations, engravings, and neglected manuscripts, Christopher Iannini connects two dramatic transformations in the eighteenth-century Atlantic world — the emergence and growth of the Caribbean plantation system and the rise of natural science. Iannini argues that these transformations were not only deeply interconnected, but that together they established conditions fundamental to the development of a distinctive literary culture in the early Americas. In fact, eighteenth-century natural history as a literary genre largely took its shape from its practice in the Caribbean, an oft-studied region that was a prime source of wealth for all of Europe and the Americas.
The formal evolution of colonial prose narrative, Ianinni argues, was contingent upon the emergence of natural history writing, which itself emerged necessarily from within the context of Atlantic slavery and the production of tropical commodities. As he reestablishes the history of cultural exchange between the Caribbean and North America, Ianinni recovers the importance of the West Indies in the formation of American literary and intellectual culture as well as its place in assessing the moral implications of colonial slavery.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Fatal Revolutions?
Lifestyle, Hobbies and Leisure > Nature and the natural world: general interest
Where can I read a sample of Fatal Revolutions?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807835562
How long is Fatal Revolutions and how many pages does it have?
Fatal Revolutions has 320 page(s)
Is Fatal Revolutions part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Published by the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture and the University of North Carolina Press
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Fatal Revolutions?
Christopher P. Iannini
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Fatal Revolutions is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807835562) and paperback(ISBN 9781469669427) and ebook(ISBN 9781469601922) and ebook(ISBN 9798890842503) and ebook(ISBN 9780807838181) and pdf(ISBN 9798890842497)
Where can I buy Fatal Revolutions online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Fatal Revolutions from below
Where can I buy Fatal Revolutions?