Encyclopedia of African-American Civil Rights: From Emancipation to the Present [Hardcover]

Charles D. Lowery (Editor), John F. Marszalek (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1992

The African-American's struggle for freedom and equality has been one of the truly heroic episodes in American history. Yet, until now, there has been no reference book presenting an overview of the century-long struggle for civil rights under a single cover. This encylopedia fills that void. Covering the post-Civil War period through the 1980s, the book includes more than 800 short articles, arranged alphabetically and written by more than 100 authors, on a wide variety of individuals, organizations, events, court cases and other items. Each entry concludes with bibliographical references providing ready access to the literature in the field. Librarians at all types of libraries from the largest reference to the smallest public or school library, should find this volume a convenient source of information.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This monumental compilation of information covering the general area of civil rights since the Emancipation Proclamation contains over 800 entries written by 157 experts in African American history. The editors have wisely chosen to include both the well-known and the less-recognized "grass-roots" participants. In addition to people, also included are important laws, books, newspapers, journals, events, and landmark court cases. All entries provide bibliographies and are cross-referenced. As with any work of this nature, there are some curious omissions. John Marshall Harlan is in but Earl Warren is not; Atlanta University appears but Spelman and Morehouse do not. Moreover, some lack of balance is evident. Hampton Institute and Operation PUSH receive fewer than 13 lines each, while obscure sociologist George Haynes warrants 30. Finally, most of the entries are hymns of praise to African American heroes. There is little criticism, even of such controversial figures as Father Divine and Adam Clayton Powell. These quibbles aside, the Encyclopedia of African-American Civil Rights is a fine work, unique in its focus and comprehensive in its coverage. It will become a standard reference work and should be available in most large public, university, and college libraries.
- Anthony O. Edmonds, Ball State Univ., Muncie, Ind.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This volume has two aims--to constitute the first reference book on the African American civil rights struggle from Emancipation to the present, and to broaden the traditional coverage of African American history from national to local. It succeeds on both counts. There are more than 800 entries for topics, groups, and individuals selectively chosen as having made a "significant positive contribution" in advancing the cause of black civil rights. Although entries are relatively brief, usually less than one page, each includes a selected bibliography and each is signed. The preponderance of entries are for court cases (including legal citation), people, organizations and associations, and events. Also covered are African American books, newspapers and periodicals; bills; amendments; and concepts. Excluded are topics or persons seen as detracting from the advancement of black civil rights, e.g., George C. Wallace. Black-and-white captioned photographs are also present, and rounding out the volume are a ten-page chronology, a selected bibliography, and an index. A very useful addition to academic, public, and secondary school libraries." -- Choice

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 688 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (CT) (May 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313250111
• ISBN-13: 978-0313250118
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,416,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent source of obscure information on civil rights, October 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Encyclopedia of African-American Civil Rights: From Emancipation to the Present (Hardcover)

This book is particularly helpful when researching obscure topics related to African-American civil rights, such as court cases and individuals and organizations which do not get as much "air time" as their more famous counterparts. In that sense, the book is a must for all African-American history collections.