African American History - General & Miscellaneous, Slavery - Emancipation, Abolition & African American Civil War Participation, Slavery - Social Sciences, African Americans - Military History, United States - 19th Century - Civil War - History, Civil Wa
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Overview
This engrossing book, which draws heavily upon primary sources, explores the many ways that slaves fought back against their captors. With accounts of daylight warfare and nighttime escapes, portraits of personal courage and group determination, a preeminent scholar of African American history illuminates a struggle for freedom that spanned centuries.Describes slavery in the United States, the harsh conditions under which slaves lived, the active and passive resistance with which they fought for their rights, the revolts, and the involvement of slaves in the Civil War.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly -
Illustrated with prints and photos, this history book "masterfully steers the reader step by step through the astonishing forms of resistance, both active and passive, offered by blacksfree men as well as slaves," said PW. Ages 10-up. (Jan.)Children's Literature -
Richly illustrated with lithographs, this text is a good presentation of the history of American slavery. The Africans who arrived in our country and were sold into slavery had a long and complex history. Breaking the Chains is an attempt to explain the background, daily life, revolt and move toward freedom of those slaves. The major appeal of this book is the quotes from actual slaves and historical figures such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. Most of the quotations are from those slaves who did not make a large mark in the history of our world. Their main mark was the injustice of their lives. An excellent book that will open the eyes of children and adults.School Library Journal
Gr 9-12-- This book will force many readers to reexamine their assumptions about American history. Katz's objective is to lay to rest, through the use of primary-source material, widely accepted myths about the institution of slavery in the U. S. According to Katz, those myths--that slaves loved their masters and were happy in their bondage, and that (with few exceptions) blacks never rebelled or vociferously protested their situation--were perpetrated by white slave owners and given credence by their acceptance by noted historians. The power of the text's content is made even more impressive by the many black-and-white photographs and reproductions. Katz gives a touching yet compelling picture of slave life on plantations and in cities. He includes interesting and little-known bits of black history, such as the alliance between blacks and native Americans, as well as rare moments of humor. Tracing the history of slavery from its American inception through the Civil War, Katz does an admirable job of showing the impact of this ``peculiar institution'' not only on such areas as music and religion, but on the whole fabric of American history and race relations. Young adults will be fascinated and better informed for having experienced this book. --Rosie Peasley, Somerset School, Modesto, CABook Details
Published
September 1, 1990
Publisher
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Pages
208
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780689314933