Full Text Review(s)
* [Slavery and Resistance]"There are many books about slavery, but this volume in the Drama of African-American History series is a standout, with the elements both well done and well balanced. Foremost is the text, which is as engaging as it is solidly written. An introduction sets the stage, discussing the first colony at Jamestown and how both whites and blacks––some servants, some slaves––worked the land. The information flows organically, detailing how African Americans came to this new country (following one of the earliest families who bought their way out of indentured servitude) and explaining how slavery spread and took hold, more strongly in some places than the others. The Revolutionary War and the role of blacks are thoroughly covered, as is what life was like for slaves in both the North and the South. Series books often have a problem with design, but that’s not the case here. The pages are clean, and there are plenty of design elements to enliven them: the typeface is sharp, and sidebars are handled in a way that is complementary rather than intrusive. The handsome art, which includes paintings and photos (some reproduced on full pages), is compelling. A glossary and lists of further resources are appended. –– Ilene Cooper" STARRED REVIEW

[Africa: A Look Back, The Slave Trade and the Middle Passage]"What rights did slaves owned by Africans have? Were Europeans the first to exploit and enslave Africans? Are Africans themselves to blame for slavery in the Americas? What are the existing effects of slavery on the descendents of slaves and slaveowners? These stimulating questions and others are explored in this series. The books treat one topic and follow a similar structure with six chapters. Attractive color photos, maps, and informative sidebars on topics such as "The Overseer’s Lash," "The Underground Railroad," "Serving the Confederacy," and "What the Black Man Wants" add text appeal. Each volume opens with a detailed summary of the book’s content and information about how it links to other books in the series. Africa examines the continent as presented in the pages of original slave narratives written by Olaudah Equiano, Ayuba Ben Suleiman Diallo, Mahommah Gardo Baquaqua, and Venture Smith.
The Slave Trade and the Middle Passage begins with a description of slavery as it existed in Africa during the 1400s, before Europeans entered the continent. Discussions on slavery and race suggest that Africans, although initially treated as servants, were always treated unjustly (e.g., "Frequently their terms of indenture were longer than whites."). The book also contains an in-depth discussion of the "trade Triangle," the Middle Passage, and the legacy of slavery.
Well researched and documented, other series titles include Slavery and Resistance , The Civil War , and The Reconstruction Era . Teachers might want to select this valuable resource over existing ones because it provides a point of view that is sure to fuel debate and a thirst for answers, especially in the wake of the recent banter requesting reparations and a national apology for slavery.—KaaVonia Hinton-Johnson"

* "Liberally sprinkled with photographs and color illustrations from archives—including full-page illustrations, bordered pages, and attractive sidebars—this series will visually appeal to students. Large font, colored subheadings, and generous margins contribute to the visual appeal. Teachers will appreciate the emphasis on primary sources, with quotes on almost every page and large blocks of inset quotations supporting the text. Each volume includes a wide range of perspectives. The Reconstruction Era , for example, ranges in subject matter from such well-known figures as W.E.B. DuBois and Frederick Douglass to lesser-known females, such as Catherine Ann Devereaux Edmonston, the "wife of a wealthy North Carolina planter." Each volume includes an introduction, a glossary, further reading suggestions, a bibliography, and an index. The inclusion of so much primary source material, both visual and written, makes this series a useful addition for research. Highly Recommended. Lori Robinson, Librarian, Smyrna (Delaware) High School" STARRED REVIEW