From the publisher. This third edition of Stanley M. Elkin's classic study offers two new chapters by the author. The first, "Slavery and Ideology," considers the discussion and criticism occasioned by this controversial work. Elkins amplifies his original purpose in writing the book and takes into consideration the substantial body of critical commentary. He also attempts a prediction on the course of future research and discussion.

An introduction : slavery as a problem in historiography ; The old debate ; The problem of "new viewpoints" -- Institutions and the law of slavery ; Institutional breakdown in an age of expansion ; The dynamics of unopposed capitalism ; Slavery in capitalist and non-capitalist cultures -- Slavery and personality ; Personality types and stereotypes ; The "African culture" argument ; Shock and detachment ; Adjustment to absolute power in the concentration camp ; Three theories of personality ; Mechanisms of resistance to absolute power -- Slavery and the intellectual ; Institutions and insights ; Intellectuals without responsibility ; Sin, guilty innocence, and reform ; The transcendentalist as abolitionist ; The abolitionist as transcendentalist ; Choices ; Postscript : Slavery, consensus, and the Southern intellect -- Slavery and ideology -- The two arguments on slavery -- Appendix : Essay on materials and method.