The Reconstruction Era

Children's Literature - Greg M. Romaneck

For many years the overriding historical opinion was that the Reconstruction era was one beset by corruption, political foolishness, and gross negligence. Then, after many decades had passed, writers such as W.E.B. DuBois began to reevaluate these earlier verdicts. DuBois pointed out that during the Reconstruction following the conclusion of the Civil War many social gains had been derived. During Reconstruction African-Americans had achieved emancipation. Black men were given voting rights and participated in several state and national elections. Southern poor white children were afforded far greater opportunities to attend public schools than had ever been the case before. Similarly, African-American children were given the right to an education long denied them by their slave masters. These types of accomplishments were long buried by apologist historians and race baiters who used their power to shape historical memory. In writers such as DuBois' view, Reconstruction had been "a splendid failure" and a brave attempt at crafting a more democratic society. In this title, a part of the illustrated "Drama of African-American History" series, readers can walk through the touchstone events of the Reconstruction period. As in other books in this fine set, The Reconstruction Era combines a well-written narrative, powerful imagery, and primary source research that make it an outstanding source of information. Youngsters interested in Civil War history will find this title one that piques their curiosity and fills in gaps often left vacant by studies of that era.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8 - In each volume, six or seven chapters of text are enhanced by reproductions of photographs, documents, drawings, and maps. Africadescribes the early history of the western part of the continent and the beginnings of slavery before the eighth century. Four chapters are based on slave narratives by Olaudah Equiano, Ayuba ben Suleiman Diallo, Mahommah Gardo Baquaqua, and Venture Smith. Resistancedescribes practices in Colonial America and how slaves' conditions gradually became harsher. The book also discusses the dichotomy of a Revolutionary War in which only one group would gain freedom, the necessity of a labor force to produce and harvest crops, life on a plantation, and various uprisings, including the Nat Turner Rebellion. Slave Tradefocuses on the well-traveled triangle between Africa, the American colonies, and Europe. This volume explains how some Africans sold their countrymen into slavery, the conditions aboard the ships, and the effects of this trade on societies in three continents. Reconstruction Eradescribes the many post-Civil War political factions in Washington, the efforts of the Freedman's Bureau to help former slaves, and the obstruction of these efforts by Southern landowners. These books are appropriate for libraries needing more material on African-American history. The "Slavery in American History" series (Enslow, 2004) and the Slavery in the Americasset (Facts On File, 2006) have comparable information, although neither includes a volume on the early history of Africa.-Ann Joslin, Fort LeBoef School District, Waterford, PA

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