Lest We Forget: The Passage from Africa to Slavery and Emancipation: A Three-Dimensional Interactive Book with Photographs and Documents from the Black Holocaust Exhibit [Hardcover]

Velma Maia Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 7, 1997

This richly designed historical document is an ingenious, interactive, three-dimensional experience that dramatically addresses the painful history of America and the slave trade. Based on the Black Holocaust Exhibit, Lest We Forget is history brought to life by Velma Maia Thomas, curator. Accompanying the book's documents, Thomas' exquisite prose is interwoven with the moving words of slaves themselves.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Velma Maia Thomas, the developer of the Black Holocaust Exhibit, has written a passionate yet brief account of slavery in America. Lest We Forget is packaged to mimic a multimedia exhibit: pages fold out, pop up, and often contain three-dimensional objects, such as an envelope that opens to reveal a facsimile of a receipt for a slave named Francis. The production techniques may make Lest We Forget look like a children's book, but the text offers a serious, moving depiction of how slaves lived before emancipation.

From School Library Journal

YAANo matter how much one has read about the degradation of slavery, the images and the words in this book will have a firm impact on its audience. A three-dimensional interactive book, it contains reproductions of photographs and documents from the Black Holocaust Exhibit that was conceived and developed by the author. By combining highly effective and readable text with photographs, news clipping, drawings, and facsimilies of documents, Thomas shares with her readers the details of virtually every aspect of slave life from the horrors of slave ships to the dangers of trying to escape. Throughout the assortment of pop-out and pull-out replicas, points are raised that will lead to classroom discussion. With its inclusion of documents such as a receipt for a slave woman or the freedom papers of a former slave, those discussions will be given an added dimension.APeggy Bercher, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Crown; 1st edition (October 7, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609600303
• ISBN-13: 978-0609600306
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 0.7 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A riveting must read for all! - A powerful masterpiece!, September 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lest We Forget: The Passage from Africa to Slavery and Emancipation: A Three-Dimensional Interactive Book with Photographs and Documents from the Black Holocaust Exhibit (Hardcover)

This is an exceptional piece of work. I am inspired by Ms. Thomas' ability to bring to life the truth about our people in the most interesting and fascinating way. The book does not have a negative or rebellious overtone. Instead, it is a history lesson that all Americans will do well to study, Lest we forget and repeat the horror of it all.

The interactive aspects of the book add to its appeal. Bringing history to life so today's generation can feel the experience of our ancestors through images of slave cargo, maps & insurance papers, replicated receipts for the sale of a slave woman, advertisments for the return of runaway slaves, and the most shocking -marks on the back of a slave from bullwhips. I found the discussion of their plight encouraging to me as I deal with the daily stuggles of being black in America. It gives me strength to know that our ancestors endured a merciless existence and yet they celebrated, and we can too!

The book is appropriate for the young and the old. It is a wonderful gift idea that will be enjoyed for years to come.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As an educator..., January 12, 2001

By 

Mr. Nick "ncnmp" (Staten Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lest We Forget: The Passage from Africa to Slavery and Emancipation: A Three-Dimensional Interactive Book with Photographs and Documents from the Black Holocaust Exhibit (Hardcover)

I must say that this book is a must for every classroom (or a nice addition to any personal collection). Readers can touch, tie, and read authentically folded replicas of various documents. One of my Seventh Graders brought in her mom's copy. Now there's one in my school's library and one in my classroom! This represents a new direction regarding books on history.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have to pass from one generation to the next., February 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lest We Forget: The Passage from Africa to Slavery and Emancipation: A Three-Dimensional Interactive Book with Photographs and Documents from the Black Holocaust Exhibit (Hardcover)

My daughter enjoys reading and interacting with the book. It is a must have for all races and ethnic groups. It's EVERYONE'S history, not just African-American history. I have shared the book with many people of all races and they have enjoyed and bought the book.