Early American Studies Series

The book explores the role of taverngoers in shaping public opinion during the formation of a newly independent nation. It highlights how these individuals, characterized by their strong opinions and lack of deference, influenced political leaders to consider the representation of public sentiment in governance. Through their discussions and debates over drinks, they played a crucial part in the political landscape, emphasizing the importance of citizen engagement in the democratic process.

Missionary work, arising from a sense of pity, helped convince the British that they were a benevolent people. Stevens relates this to the rise of the cult of sensibility, when philosophers argued that humans were inherently good because they felt sorrow at the sign of suffering.

Recognized for its concise and elegant research, this important work offers a deep exploration of its subject matter. It is praised for its clarity and scholarly rigor, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the themes it addresses. The book stands out as a significant contribution to the field, reflecting a commitment to high standards in both research and writing.

The book explores the relationship between the evolving status of tradesmen in early New York and the development of subjective rights during America's transition to a republican and liberal society in the eighteenth century. It examines how these changes in economic roles and rights reflect broader societal shifts, highlighting the interplay between commerce and individual liberties in shaping the new American identity.

Talks about what liberty meant to an important group of common men in American society, those who lived and worked on the waterfront and aboard ships. This book shows that the idealized vision of liberty associated with the Founding Fathers had a much more immediate and complex meaning than previously thought.

The book explores the complex legacy of the Dutch colonial presence in America over forty years, highlighting their moral contradictions as they betrayed both their own principles and the indigenous populations. It delves into the shame and self-reproach experienced by the Dutch due to unjust wars, alongside their struggles to effectively address native insurgencies, revealing the challenges of colonial governance and the impact on both colonizers and the colonized.

Offers a fresh interpretation of the history of the Delaware, or Lenape, Indians in the context of events in the mid-Atlantic region and the Ohio Valley.

Ranging from Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania to the backcountry regions of the South, the Mid-Atlantic, and northern New England, The Varieties of Political Experience in Eighteenth- Century America offers an ambitious overview of political life in pre- Revolutionary America.

Selected by "Choice" magazine as an Outstanding Academic Title, this work explores the burgeoning interest in theatrical performances among North American colonists during the eighteenth century. As colonists became increasingly familiar with the British dramatic canon, they sought both the latest London hits and plays centered on patriotic British themes. This evolving interest in theater coincided with deteriorating relations with the crown, leading to the use of dramatic texts as a framework for political discourse on colonial policy. These theatrical works transitioned to print, utilizing dramatic narratives and metaphors for political leverage. As the Revolution approached, American propaganda plays emerged, marking the beginnings of a unique patriotic drama while still emphasizing the British roots of American identity. The study delves into the significance of theatrical performance and printed drama in shaping early American political culture. By building on the notion that theater served as a school for public virtue, the author illustrates the connections between the popularity of performances in British North America and the national identities that colonists and Revolutionary figures embraced. The result is a comprehensive examination of eighteenth-century American theater history and print culture, shedding light on the interplay between performance and political identity during a pivotal era.

Moving beyond an 'Indians and Europeans' story, DuVal looks instead at competing and overlapping stories involving multiple Native groups who operate from different positions with different strategies and experiences, and incorporate an array of outsiders.-Colin G. Calloway, Dartmouth College

Set in 18th-century America, this novel follows Edward Nugent, a young man who becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue and violence after discovering a severed head. As he navigates a world filled with pirates, betrayal, and the pursuit of justice, themes of identity and morality emerge. The story intricately weaves historical events with personal struggles, exploring the complexities of human nature against a backdrop of a turbulent era. Nugent's journey is both a quest for truth and a reflection on the choices that define us.

How childbearing among enslaved women became commodified-and was exploited by slaveowners as well as slaves.