Race Relations in America: A Reference Guide with Primary Documents (Major Issues in American History) [Hardcover]

Thomas J. Davis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313311153 | ISBN-13: 978-0313311154 | Publication Date: March 30, 2006 | Edition: annotated edition

America has struggled with racial issues since its birth centuries ago. In this pivotal study of racism in the United States, over 90 primary documents provide compelling evidence of how race has affected and shaped our country throughout the years. A narrative overview of each event, expert analysis, the text of primary sources contemporary to the time of the event, and ready reference materials will help both high school and college students to understand how race has affected the country. From the framing of the Constitution to the removal of American Indians and the Civil War, students will learn how racism is prevalent even in today's society, be it in the war on terrorism, anti-immigrant feelings, or views against casinos on Native American reservations. Documents include excerpts from speeches, letters, pamphlets, books, essays, newspaper, magazine, and journal articles, government reports, congressional debates, laws, and court decisions. This detailed work includes an overview of racism in America, and is then followed by compelling and revealing primary documents that help to illustrate 15 key events in history. These events include:

Constructing the Constitution

Indian removal from east to west

Nat Turner's rebellion

War with Mexico

The Civil War

Reconstruction and post-Civil War

The end of the Indian Wars

Anti-Asian internment

Segregation and the New Deal

Desegregation

Casinos on Indian reservations

Affirmative Action

Race on Trial

New immigrants today

And the war on terrorism Each section concludes with suggested readings and Web sites. The work is fully indexed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Controversy persists as to whether or not race is a scientific fact; Davis points out, nonetheless, that "race has persisted as a historical fact, constructed with cultural and social norms." This admirable work thus appropriately addresses those racial groups that have been the most pronounced in the American experience: African, Asian, Mexican, Native, and Arab Americans....Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers.”–Choice

“[A]s a first bite into real history, history in the making, the book is excellent... Recommended for all students of US history, and everybody else!”–Reference Reviews

“For those students whose teachers require primary sources, this book will be a major asset....This title should be in high school or college library collections as a valuable source of information for analysis and debate on American racial issues. Recommended.”–Library Media Connection

“Any college-level collection strong in American history and social studies must have Race Relations in America: A Reference Guide with Primary Documents....Source material passages - some several pages in length - accompanied by an annotated research guide of books and web sites make for a winning presentation certain to have long-lasting lending value.”–MBR California Bookwatch

“[R]ace Relations in America, by Thomas J. Davis, is a study of racism in the United States. More than 90 primary documents offer evidence of how race has affected and shaped our country throughout its history. Key events are presented with narrative overviews, expert analyses, the texts of primary sources contemporary to the time of each event, and ready reference materials to help high school and college students understand how race has affected the country....Students will learn how racism has remained prevelent to the present day, from the framing of the Constitution to the displacement of American Indians, The Civil War, and such current conflicts as the war on terrorism, anti-immigrant sentiments, and opposition to casinos on Native American reservations.”–Library Media Connection

About the Author

THOMAS J. DAVIS, Ph.D., J.D., teaches history and law at Arizona State University, Tempe. He is the author of A Rumor of Revolt: The "Great Negro Plot" in Colonial New York, which the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights in North America prized as one of the outstanding books of 1985 on race relations. He is also author of numerous articles on race and law and co-author of Africans in the Americas: A History of the Black Diaspora.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press; annotated edition edition (March 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313311153
• ISBN-13: 978-0313311154
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,151,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pairing historical events with the evolution of ideas, trends, and treaties alike, June 15, 2006

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Race Relations in America: A Reference Guide with Primary Documents (Major Issues in American History) (Hardcover)

Any college-level collection strong in American history and social studies must have RACE RELATIONS IN AMERICA: A REFERENCE GUIDE WITH PRIMARY DOCUMENTS. It covers all kinds of racial interactions from the early days of the Republic to modern times, pairing historical events with the evolution of ideas, trends, and treaties alike. From Indian Wars which prompted pro/con ideas on the reservation system to the issues revolving around Negro justice. Source material passages - some several pages in length - accompanied by an annotated research guide of books and web sites makes for a winning presentation certain to have long-lasting lending value.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch