New Books in History

Colm Murphy, a historian at Queen Mary University of London, dives into the dramatic shifts within the Labour Party from 1973 to 1997, charting its evolution amid crushing defeats and ideological crises. He critiques the concept of 'modernisation,' revealing its multifaceted interpretations that shaped the left's response to neoliberalism and globalization. Murphy also highlights the impact of feminist voices on policy, the complexities of race within the party, and how New Labour navigated its multicultural stance, ultimately questioning social democracy's identity and future.

Anne Lawrence-Mathers, a Professor of medieval history at the University of Reading, dives into the enchanting world of medieval magic through her latest work. She discusses the distinction between popular and learned magic, revealing elite practices hidden in illuminated manuscripts. Lawrence-Mathers examines the social significance of these texts, detailing their luxurious production and the fascinating ritualistic elements embedded within. The conversation also touches on historical misconceptions of magic, the power dynamics of the era, and the intriguing figure of Alfonso X's multicultural approach to magic.

Caitlin Wiesner, an Assistant Professor of History, discusses her groundbreaking work on Black women's anti-rape activism during the war on crime. She reveals how Black organizers viewed police as a source of violence, rather than protection, and employed strategies of subversion and resistance. Wiesner highlights community-based care and the innovative approaches of activists like Lynn Moncrief and Nakenji Ture, showcasing their profound impact on both local and national movements. Her insights reflect a critical reassessment of feminist strategies against sexual violence.

Dan Edelstein, the William H. Bonsall Professor of French at Stanford, discusses his new work, exploring how philosophical views on revolution evolved from ancient chaos to modern progressivism. He examines Greek and Roman fears of revolution, the conservative nature of British transformations, and the Enlightenment's shift towards viewing history as progress. Edelstein highlights the complexities and risks of revolutions today, dissecting their implications on democracy and governance, while reflecting on lessons from 20th-century upheavals.

Dr. Rachel Jean-Baptiste, a historian specializing in the French-speaking Atlantic world, delves into the fascinating dynamics of métis identities in colonial French Africa. She explores the impact of interracial relationships on race and citizenship, highlighting the resilience of African mothers in advocating for their children. Jean-Baptiste discusses the complexities of métis claims to citizenship amidst colonial racial hierarchies and the transformations triggered by World War II. Her insights reveal the lasting legacies and contemporary significance of métis histories.

They worked Virginia's tobacco fields, South Carolina's rice marshes, and the Black Belt's cotton plantations. Wherever they lived, enslaved people found their lives indelibly shaped by the Southern environment. By day, they plucked worms and insects from the crops, trod barefoot in the mud as they hoed rice fields, and endured the sun and humidity as they planted and harvested the fields. By night, they clandestinely took to the woods and swamps to trap opossums and turtles, to visit relatives living on adjacent plantations, and at times to escape slave patrols and escape to freedom.Scars on the Land: An Environmental History of Slavery in the American South (Oxford UP, 2022) is the first comprehensive history of American slavery to examine how the environment fundamentally formed enslaved people's lives and how slavery remade the Southern landscape. Over two centuries, from the establishment of slavery in the Chesapeake to the Civil War, one simple calculation had profound consequences: rather than measuring productivity based on outputs per acre, Southern planters sought to maximize how much labor they could extract from their enslaved workforce. They saw the landscape as disposable, relocating to more fertile prospects once they had leached the soils and cut down the forests. On the leading edge of the frontier, slavery laid waste to fragile ecosystems, draining swamps, clearing forests to plant crops and fuel steamships, and introducing devastating invasive species. On its trailing edge, slavery left eroded hillsides, rivers clogged with sterile soil, and the extinction of native species. While environmental destruction fueled slavery's expansion, no environment could long survive intensive slave labor. The scars manifested themselves in different ways, but the land too fell victim to the slave owner's lash.Although typically treated separately, slavery and the environment naturally intersect in complex and powerful ways, leaving lasting effects from the period of emancipation through modern-day reckonings with racial justice.Brandon T. Jett, professor of history at Florida SouthWestern State College, creator of the Lynching in LaBelle Digital History Project, and author of Race, Crime, and Policing in the Jim Crow South (LSU Press, 2021) and co-editor of Steeped in a Culture of Violence: Murder, Racial Injustice, and Other Violent Crimes in Texas, 1965–2020 (Texas A&M University Press, scheduled Spring 2023). Twitter: @DrBrandonJett1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, a professor of constitutional law and civil rights attorney, dives into the compelling narrative of protest in America. She explores the roots of Indigenous resistance, from Chief Powhatan to contemporary climate activism. Browne-Marshall sheds light on significant figures like Muhammad Ali and discusses the evolution of protest beyond mere marches. Delving into the intersections of law and social justice, she emphasizes the power of diverse protest forms and the critical need for collective action to shape a more equitable future.

Michal A. Piegzik, a historian focused on the Pacific War and author fluent in Japanese sources, dives deep into the Battle of the Coral Sea. He highlights the battle's often-overlooked significance, driven by Japanese primary sources. Piegzik reveals misconceptions about Japanese strategies and mistakes, including their intelligence errors regarding U.S. carrier strength. The discussion also covers how the battle led to a strategic loss for Japan, affecting plans for Midway, and offers insight into the human experiences of Japanese officers.

Philip Janzen, an assistant professor at the University of Florida and author of *An Unformed Map*, dives into the intriguing lives of Caribbean administrators in colonial Africa. He explores their motivations and the double marginalization they faced between European powers and African communities. Janzen discusses how their experiences reshaped their identities and fostered new geographies of belonging. He intriguingly uses poetry and language to fill archival gaps, revealing deeper insights into their journeys and contributions to anti-colonial thought.

Ayoush Lazikani, a Lecturer at Oxford and author of *The Medieval Moon*, dives into fascinating medieval perspectives on the moon. She discusses how the moon represented both beauty and pain across cultures, from Persian love poetry to tales of lunar quests. Lazikani explores the moon's connection to medieval medical theories, cosmic miracles, and social ethics, illustrating its role in shaping identity and emotions. She beautifully argues for a global understanding of the medieval world through our shared relationship with this celestial body.