An Empire for Slavery: the Peculiar Institution in Texas, 1821-1865

An Empire for Slavery is a well-written book which has several chapters. Campbell offers essential chapters on the domestic slave trade, the law, labor, family, Indian relations and religion. The author explores the economic aspect of slavery, the challenges of slavery, among other fundamentals to give readers an understanding of what slavery in Texas entailed. On the other hand, the author makes a follow up using real case studies as obtained from different sources such as such as census materials, plantation papers, newspapers, slave narratives such s county records and travel accounts to exhibit slavery in Texas (Brown, 1840).

Irrespective of the description that constitutes the last half of the book, it is persuasive and fascinating because it shows how the majority who were against secession unwillingly embraced the course of action when they trusted they had no other option. The book is the first length book on the history of slavery in the city of Texas as well as a vital addition to slavery studies in the South (Buenger, 30).

The author (Randolph B. Campbell) combines Eugene Genovese, John Blassingame, and Kenneth Stampp’s approaches by discussing functioning and development of the institution and also the Texas slave community. On the other hand, the author (Campbell) discusses in depth the emergence of slavery in Anglo colonies of the northern regardless of the ambivalence and restrictions that were imposed by the administrations. Additionally, the author highlights that slavery caused the Texas revolution. The writer uses simple language to let the reader know that the Texan victory firmly created the institution under the state and Republic of Texas as the number of slaves jumped from 5,000 in the year 1836 to exceedingly 180,000 in the year 1860 (Hamilton, 6).
After exploring Charles Ramsdell’s theory that stated that slavery was getting to natural heights in the year 1860, Randolph Campbell deliberates such impact ‘minimal for the coming years.’ On the other hand, Campbell analyzes the legal and economic aspects of slavery where he suggests that the slaveholders of Texas gained profit from the effort of their bondsmen, sustained their farms and cotton plantations by producing food and above all they attained financial flexibility by selling and hiring slaves (Kelley, 220).
The author uses vivid description to explain to the readers how the federal laws accepted slaves as people and also as people. It is through the vivid description that the author brings to the attention of the reader that legal systems safeguarded the rights of the owners whereas restricting the bondsmen who had to save codes. Additionally, the author uses the stylistic device of vivid description to explain the roles of the bondsmen as well as the challenges that the slaves underwent (Kelly, 593).

The author has no basis for arbitrating slavery in Texas as being harsher or easier than in other states. The author has used a wide range of sources such as census materials, plantation papers, newspapers, slave narratives such s county records and travel accounts (Buenger, 32).

Finally, the author effectively uses statistical methods to develop various topics. On the other hand, the author’s account is informed by the recent historiography on slavery. The narrative smoothly flows with well-selected quotations that emphasize specific points. However, some topics such as slave folk culture should perhaps get a detailed study; an empire for slavery shall turn out to be the typical history of slavery as well as the perfect model for new slavery studies.