GOODBYE TO UNCLE TOM

by J. C. Furnas ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 20, 1956

Mr. Furnas, a sociological sleuth, traces the myth of Uncle Tom to its sources in American history. He also unravels the invidious consequences of this myth, and exposes the factual absurdities and logical chaos upon which it rests. How frequent was the runaway slave and what prompted him? Who was the ""typical"" plantation owner and his overseer? The beliefs, still prevalent today, that Negroes form a racial entity, that Negroes were ""better off"" in their native Africa, that Negroes gain from the admixture of white blood, that Negroes are nearer to the ""animal nature"" than white men are, that the Negro soul is ""simpler"" and held in some ""special"" regard in Heaven all such pernicious, unfounded notions spring if not directly from Uncle Tom's Cabin then at least from its heritage. Mr. Furnas has done an immense service in the struggle against racial prejudice and stereotype thinking in general. He writes with humor and conviction and should attract the thoughtful, liberal reader.

Pub Date: June 20, 1956

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow-Sloane

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1956

Categories: NONFICTION