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The Pursuit of a Dream
Tells the stories of Jefferson Davis' brother Joseph, who tried to establish a model slave plantation, and Benjamin Montgomery, the slave, who became manager, and later, owner of that plantation, and whose family set up several utopian communities
- GenresHistory
290 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 11, 2020
This book looks at efforts to create community in Davis Bend, Mississippi, and later Bayou Mound, Mississippi. The first effort is led by Joseph Davis, older brother of Jefferson Davis - he sought to create a more enlightened approach to the plantation system in the antebellum South. Hermann shows us the surprising efforts that Davis went to empower the slaves that worked on his plantation, but Hermann is also careful to remind that the reader that however enlightened the system was, it was still slavery, and elements of racism and oppression remained.
The key element linking this story is the Montgomery family who were slaves under Davis, and later led the community efforts following the end of the Civil War. Hermann shows how Ben Montgomery was able to thrive under Davis' system based on his strength of character and skills. She also explores the perplexing question of why Montgomery, who had sufficient wealth to buy his freedom, remained a slave - he saw the inherent racism that pervaded Antebellum Mississippi. For Montgomery, the calculation was that Davis' patronage and the fact Montgomery remained a slave made him viewed as less of a threat.
Herman also discusses the the period of transition where the Union occupied Davis Bend, and the efforts to deal with the large numbers of freed slaves. This leads into the post-Civil War period where the Davis-Montgomery relationship continues. Herman offers some insightful analysis into what each party gained from the process, and how it evolved as Montgomery become more and more established.
There are also good insights into the local economy and the factors that shaped it post-Civil War. Herman also looks the impact of the Freedman's Bureau and other northern efforts - where they helped, where they fell short, and where they, too, were impacted by views on race.
The final chapter deals with the efforts to create a model community in Bayou Mound. This part is interesting for two reasons. One is that Hermann shows the evolution of the community idea from Davis to Ben Montgomery to his son Isaiah. A second is the insights into the Jim Crow South that would lead southern blacks to look to form their own, independent community.
The key element linking this story is the Montgomery family who were slaves under Davis, and later led the community efforts following the end of the Civil War. Hermann shows how Ben Montgomery was able to thrive under Davis' system based on his strength of character and skills. She also explores the perplexing question of why Montgomery, who had sufficient wealth to buy his freedom, remained a slave - he saw the inherent racism that pervaded Antebellum Mississippi. For Montgomery, the calculation was that Davis' patronage and the fact Montgomery remained a slave made him viewed as less of a threat.
Herman also discusses the the period of transition where the Union occupied Davis Bend, and the efforts to deal with the large numbers of freed slaves. This leads into the post-Civil War period where the Davis-Montgomery relationship continues. Herman offers some insightful analysis into what each party gained from the process, and how it evolved as Montgomery become more and more established.
There are also good insights into the local economy and the factors that shaped it post-Civil War. Herman also looks the impact of the Freedman's Bureau and other northern efforts - where they helped, where they fell short, and where they, too, were impacted by views on race.
The final chapter deals with the efforts to create a model community in Bayou Mound. This part is interesting for two reasons. One is that Hermann shows the evolution of the community idea from Davis to Ben Montgomery to his son Isaiah. A second is the insights into the Jim Crow South that would lead southern blacks to look to form their own, independent community.
December 11, 2017
In contrast to other review, I found the writing of this book very interesting and compelling. My biggest complaint, which I find I often have with history books, is with the lack of chronological order in which events are often presented.
January 22, 2016
Hermann deserves credit for unearthing the story of Davis Bend, for which as far as I can tell this is the only comprehensive source. The history of this plantation is absolutely compelling, and it's told efficiently. Benjamin Montgomery in particular jumps out as a truly great character, and one I felt I came to know very well by the end of the book.
That said, Hermann seems a bit too enraptured with her most impressive subject; the book could just as well be a biography of Benjamin, with smaller sections dedicated to his former master, Joseph Davis (yes, that Davis), and his children, especially his son Isaiah. If you want to understand anyone not related to the Davises or Montgomerys, this is not your book. In addition, the history of the actual plantation often feels muddled; often it's hard to tell why some years were better than others, and Hermann's tone changes greatly with little warning. Small contradictions, dull writing, and unclear focuses mar an otherwise very informative book. Still definitely recommended if you're interested in the specific subject.
That said, Hermann seems a bit too enraptured with her most impressive subject; the book could just as well be a biography of Benjamin, with smaller sections dedicated to his former master, Joseph Davis (yes, that Davis), and his children, especially his son Isaiah. If you want to understand anyone not related to the Davises or Montgomerys, this is not your book. In addition, the history of the actual plantation often feels muddled; often it's hard to tell why some years were better than others, and Hermann's tone changes greatly with little warning. Small contradictions, dull writing, and unclear focuses mar an otherwise very informative book. Still definitely recommended if you're interested in the specific subject.
January 30, 2011
This book is the story of Davis Bend, a Mississippi community of blacks built after the Civil War on the land of Joseph Davis and his better-known younger brother, Jefferson, the former president of the Confederacy. Like a lot of utopian communities, the settlement was built with the best of motives, but struggled and ultimately failed under imperfect reality. The author's writing is unfortunately very dry and the book comes comes off like a redone dissertation.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews