To fully appreciate our country's history and the problems and possibilities we face as a nation on the eve of a new century, Americans-young and old-need to know that the fascinating heritage of African Americans begins not with the slave ships of Portugal and Spain, but with the richlydiverse tribes, cultures, and ancient civilizations of the African continent. We need to understand that the long journey for freedom and equality for all Americans began well before the Civil War, or even the Revolutionary War, and that the journey continues to this day. Now history's missing pagesat last come to life with the publication of The Young Oxford History of African Americans. Spanning five centuries, this extraordinary 11-volume series paints a vibrant and compelling portrait of the lives of African Americans. Written by distinguished American historians, the series sets a new standard for accuracy, balance, and breadth of scholarship in a reference aimed at the generalreader. The lively narrative is rich in gripping first person accounts and short character sketches that invite readers to relive history as African Americans experienced it. From the first black Africans brought as slaves into the Caribbean islands and the colonies of Central and South America totoday's black filmmakers and politicians, the stories of remarkable individuals of great courage and ability are told, but also those of ordinary men and women whose struggles and accomplishments continue to shape history. Whatever their race or background, readers come away with a deeperappreciation of African Americans as a people who have long shared in the aspiration and expectations of their fellow citizens, but who have done so with a unique history and a unique set of barriers to overcome. Unrivaled in breadth or depth, The Young Oxford History of African Americans is an unforgettable portrait of a people. It is an essential reference not only for students of African-American history, but also for libraries, teachers, parents, and all of us who strive to understand the struggles andsacrifices of the American past, the formidable challenges of our present, and our brightest hopes for the future. | The Young Oxford History of African Americans: 11-Volume Set by Robin D. G. Kelley, Hardcover | Indigo Chapters