In this short read of a book, “Slavery and the Coming of the Civil War”, the author, Christopher Collier does a really good job of depicting the attitudes and the sentiments leading up to the Civil War, which was the battle between the North and the South of the United States, (Union versus Confederates), and also, the prevailing attitude about slavery and what different parts of the country felt about it.
Collier mentions that the large stereotypical plantations that we hear about, were rare in fact, and that most slaveowners owned about 10 to 20 slaves. Most of the northern portion of the United States did not follow along with slavery, but, slavery was deeply ingrained in the Southern plantation states.
Abraham Lincoln, came along at this time, as a politician, public servant, who was caught at the apex of the heightening tensions between the North and the South. The Civil War was about ready to breakout, and Lincoln did his best to try to understand and relax the tensions on both sides.
This is a short quick read, for anyone who wants a general overview of what life was like in the United States during the Civil War era.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
