From Library Journal
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
AAHP was designed to give readers the "opportunity to witness the positive and negative portrayal of African Americans in more than 1,200 articles and editorials and over 470 cartoons and engravings as depicted in 13 major newspapers . . ." It is organized into chapters by year; each year begins with a brief historical overview followed by a nonfacsimile presentation of headlines, articles, and illustrations from newspapers of the time. As may be expected, the chapters for especially significant years run longer than others. The 1861 chapter is 45 pages long, presents 40 articles, and has 25 illustrations. A dozen of the illustrations cover a half page or more. Articles for this year include "Important Rumors from France and England," "Bombardment of Fort Sumter," and "Fugitive Slave Case at Chicago."
Since this is unedited, primary source material, readers should be prepared for frank treatment of topics related to slavery. For example, this collection includes a 1862 Harper's Weekly article, accompanied by an illustration, with the headline "An Instrument of Torture Among Slaveholders." Also, as to be expected, some of the illustrations portray African American racial stereotypes that were acceptable in the press a century ago.
AAHP has keyword, illustration, and newspaper indexes. The newspaper index gives the dates of the issues used. Also, a brief newspaper history section provides summary background information on each newspaper represented.
AAHP is highly recommended as a unique source for examining African American history through the eyes of late nineteenth-century America. Large public and medium to large academic libraries will want it in their collections. The price is reasonable for a richly illustrated, two-volume set, especially one that will never go out of date.
