Constantin-François Volney Books
Constantin-François Volney, a once-celebrated figure, is now largely overlooked despite his significant intellectual contributions. As a key member of the Ideologues, he championed constitutional government, secularism, and universal suffrage, advocating for principles that challenged the status quo of his era. His seminal work, "Ruins of Empires," a profound critique of societal and religious structures, deeply influenced prominent thinkers and artists, inspiring fundamental shifts in thought and artistic expression. Volney's legacy, though obscured, offers a timeless perspective on morality, reason, and the enduring quest for human progress, making his ideas relevant even today.
This book documents the transformation of South Carolina's penal system during the 50-year period following the Civil War. Oliphant provides a detailed account of the rise of prison labor, the introduction of convict leasing, and the creation of a criminal justice system structured around the principles of racial segregation. Drawing on government reports, news articles, and personal correspondence, Oliphant's work is a fascinating study of the politics of punishment in a postbellum southern state.