Against All Opposition: Black Explorers in America (Turtleback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-- Haskins hits the bullseye again, producing a readable, informative collective biography of black explorers and adventurers. Students familiar with his previous work will note once more the crisp, flowing prose that incorporates telling details and cogent quotations, bringing his subjects to life and giving their toils meaning and relevance. In a non-didactic manner, he uses these people's lives to demontrate that goals, ideals, and hard work can contribute to the expanding of the frontiers of all types of knowledge, regardless of race, gender, or nationality. Included are Estevanico, who searched for Cibola with Cabeza de Vaco; Jean Baptiste Point de Sable, founder of Chicago; York, who accompanied Lewis and Clark; mountain man James P. Beckwourth; Matthew Henson, co-discoverer of the North Pole; and astronauts Guion Stewart Bluford, Jr. and Ronald McNair. These explorers, as well as those of the present and future, says Haskins, ``. . . go forth not for glory; rather, they have a vision of the world, a vision of discovery.'' --David A. Lindsey, Lakewood Junior/Senior High School, WA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Enlightening if vaguely documented accounts of black explorers of the American continent, the North Pole, and space, emphasizing the barriers of race that they overcame. After quoting early Arab documents to show that the emperor of ancient Mali (an accomplished African civilization) sent a large fleet across the Atlantic in the 13th century, Haskins speculates that this led to ``negroid'' features in some Mayan sculptures, similarities between African and American languages, and rumors that helped to inspire Columbus. ``It is likely that Columbus had with him either black seamen or black slaves who had knowledge of the ocean and the lands beyond it.'' Other better- known explorers included here are Estevanico (explorer of New Mexico), Jean Point du Sable (founder of Chicago), York (a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition), James Beckwourth (a half- black mountain man), George Bush (the first American settler in Washington territory), Matthew Henson, and Guion Bluford (the first black astronaut). Most entries are exciting accounts with substantial quotations from early journals, but their power is somewhat diminished by the many extraneous details, while astronaut Ronald McNair's story seems tacked on as an afterthought. Still, the inspirational value balances any stylistic shortcomings. Bibliography; index. B&w photos not seen. (Biography. 10-14) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Turtleback
• Publisher: Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606294643
• ISBN-13: 978-0606294645
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
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