Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Land

by Daniel Friedenberg

Overview

This book offers a vivid account of the bloody, corruption-laden, yet engrossing history of land speculation in America, from pre-colonial times to the election of President Thomas Jefferson.Whether they were competing to discover the "New World," escaping religious persecution, or whether they were "patriots" fighting for liberty, many men became fantastically wealthy and powerful, grabbing land while merely giving lip service to popular ideals. Friedenberg demonstrates how the relentless pursuit of land (helped enormously by killing off Native Americans and by the importing of slaves from Africa) was more than just the foundation upon which the first American sociopolitical structures rested. It molded a set of attitudes and beliefs that fit the aggressive expansionism of those who led the struggling colonies. Certain insidious traits remain to this day, witnesses to our bloody past: a view of land as a mere commodity, a belief that the control of land (and hence wealth) requires political power, and a widespread tendency toward greed and arrogance.Friedenberg conducts a fast-paced, eye-opening tour through the labyrinth of North American land deals, and in doing do exposes the real motives influencing some of the major events in our nation's history while placing the lives and careers of America's forefathers in a disturbing new light. Discover the powerful role that the desire for land played in carving out colonies in the New World and how greed sparked the French and Indian War and spawned an array of land companies created to make quick profits and displace Native Americans.Friedenberg explains how colonial merchants and traders were willing to risk revolution to achieve new western markets. He looks at the American Revolution through the eyes of those who speculated on land grants promised to soldiers and discusses how political intrigues among land company delegates at Congress influenced ratification of the Articles of Confederation and debate on the Constitution. He reveals the legacy of treason, fraud, treachery, and deceit as some of the most distinguished names in our early history sliced up the American pie.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780879757229
Publisher:	Prometheus Books
Publication date:	04/01/1992
Pages:	434
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.09(d)

About the Author

Daniel M. Friedenberg is the author of seven books, including Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Land: The Plunder of Early America and Sold to the Highest Bidder: The Presidency from Dwight D. Eisenhower to George W. Bush. The president of John-Platt Enterprises, Inc., Mr. Friedenberg was formerly a correspondent and feature writer for the New York Herald Tribune.

Editorial Reviews

In this overview of the history of feminism, Taylor begins by chronicling the suffragette movement and concludes by discussing the 1990 presidential veto of the Presidential and Medical Leave Bill. Stressing individualist feminism, she claims that the failure of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) marked a turning away by special-interest groups within the feminist movement from the search for equal rights toward a quest for political dominance. Taylor does an excellent job of refreshing us on the early achievements of Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Fuller, John Stuart Mill, and Charlotte Perkins Gillman. She also discusses feminist stands on contemporary issues such as antipornography crusades, rape, and affirmative action. Taylor concludes by spiritedly entreating feminists to embrace the largest political constituency possible by respecting diverse opinions and to work for equal rights by rejecting affirmative action. This solid history fills a gap in women's studies. Recommended for all libraries.-- Paula N. Arnold, Norwich Univ. Lib. , Northfield, Vt.

Library Journal