The-melting pot, Africans in America, Charles Johnson.

Africans in America

I haven't seen a more informed book on African-American history since Forging Freedom except for the fact that Africans in America brings a more personal level and a broader focus with some biographical materials including images of some of the documents of the slave period. And artists renderings of some of the players. Africans in America a WHYY, Series is written by Paul Johnson author of the Middle Passage.

As a matter of fact this piece is the perfect companion, or fill-in; if you will, between Forging Freedom and Lest We Forget. Here's why I make that point:

While Forging Freedom chronicles the nuts and bolts of Black people trying to forge the first free Black society out of slavery here in Philadelphia. Lest We Forget look at the harrows of the journey of African peoples, as slaves in America. The indignities they suffered, with surreal images of the types of shackles used to bind them. Instruments of punishment, and documents of ownership by the slave masters.

Along with some very impressive three-dimensional images. A ship opens up to reveal the hold where slaves, worked and lived with images of slaves. Right in the pages of this book. It has to be seen. Both books are featured below.