The Antislavery Movement

School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up-A chronicle of antislavery activism and civil-rights trends in North America from the earliest days of slavery until 1946, when President Truman appointed the Civil Rights Committee. Full of quotes and biographical information, the straightforward text paints a vivid picture of the struggle through the ages. It begins with chapters on slavery and the earliest abolitionist movement, followed by explanations that were used in defense of slavery, and continuing through the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the nation's failure for many decades to allow freedoms to freed slaves and their descendants. Each chapter is carefully documented. Black-and-white illustrations, including several portraits of abolitionists, are clear and accurately captioned. A thorough, readable introduction.-Marilyn Long Graham, Lee County Library System, Fort Myers, FL

Anne O'Malley

"The `peculiar institution' did not begin as slavery," Rogers tells us in the opening sentence. Indeed, early-seventeenth-century African captives brought to America were sold as indentured servants, and they worked their way to freedom in due time. As slave labor became more essential to the southern economy, of course, slavery became entrenched in all its horrors, and the nation divided bitterly. Rogers' slim volume packs a major load of information between its covers, tracing slavery and its repercussions from 1619 to just after World War II. In a sense, the title is somewhat misleading, as it suggests mainly pre-Civil War coverage. That's a minor detail, though. With abundant primary sources, substantial scholarship as evidenced by source notes, and a sophisticated writing style, there is no doubt that this strong title will be very useful for social-studies reports and projects. As an added benefit, a Jacob Lawrence painting graces the cover. Black-and-white photos; chronology; notes.