Synopsis
Examines, using original source documents, photographs and drawings, the experiences and points of view of former slaves during the period of Reconstruction following the ...
School Library Journal
Gr 8 Up-The presentation of primary-source material from the black point of view makes this title a unique addition to the body of literature about the Reconstruction period. Through these personal accounts, readers become vividly aware of how African Americans' lives changed with the end of the Civil War. The fact that, in many cases, emancipation brought poverty, prejudice, and hopelessness to blacks becomes apparent in this well-organized volume. The reluctance of whites to grant the freedoms and privileges that the Emancipation Proclamation promised and the mistreatment of these "freedpeople" come alive through their writings. Smith has used original writings, some from uneducated people whose speech is often colloquial and dialectal. The spare narrative basically ties one quoted piece to another. Archival black-and-white photographs and reproductions are attractive and informative. The documentation and bibliography are extensive. While not a first choice for reports, this is a special and exceedingly well-done resource.-Marilyn Fairbanks, East Junior High School, Brockton, MA