Encyclopedia of the Middle Passage: Greenwood Milestones in African American History

(Hardback)

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Description

For the first time, the Middle Passagethe experience of slaves on the trans-Atlantic shipsreceives a full reference treatment in an encyclopedia. This A-to-Z reference consists of 226 signed entries arranged alphabetically, exhaustively covering the Middle Passage from a variety of perspectives for student research and browsing. Each essay entry concludes with suggestions for further reading. The encyclopedia includes an introductory overview of the trans-Atlantic slave trade as well as illustrations, bibliography, and chronology. As a handy ready-reference, the Encyclopedia of the Middle Passage is the first of its kind. As schools continue to incorporate slavery in their curriculums, the volume will prove to be an essential reference for high school reports and research in History and Social Studies, as well as for college students and general readers. Its subject is of continuing interest, as evidenced by the extraordinary popularity of the film Amistad and the recent HBO special, The Middle Passage. Sample entries: Abolitionism, Asante, Barracoons, Black Sailors, Cargoes, Christianity, Credit and Finance, Door of No Return, Eric Williams Thesis, Gold Coast, Import Records, Islam and Muslims, Museums, Oral History, Rape and Sexual Abuse, Seasoning, Suicide, Triangular Trade, William Wilberforce, Women

Reviews

[A]rranged alphabetically into a volume of encyclopedic entries, all pertaining to some aspect of the Middle Passage or the broader trans-Atlantic slave trade. The well-written entries are expected to be accessible to a wide range of readers of different interests and levels of education. Most noteworthy about the volume, however, is its attention to a wide spectrum of topics. Carefully-selected eighty contributors have authored entries, which span from a paragraph to several pages.[A]n important reference manual and a useful starting point for researchers interested in the study of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. * African and Asian Studies *
Falola and Warnock, a doctoral candidate in history at the university, provide an encyclopedia that contains entries relating to the Middle Passage of the slave trade, covering the route from Africa to the Americas during the fifteenth to nineteenth century. The 228 entries are on topics concerning abolition, art, literature, film, the demographic characteristics of slaves, documenting and memorializing the slave trade, financing, mortality, execution of the trade, slave experiences, ethnicity, key people, places, and ships and shipping. * Reference & Research and Book News *
All in all, a substantial book, useful for students and general readers alike. * Reference Reviews *
More than 80 contributors, a brief chronology, numerous illustrations, and substantial bibliographies support this scholarly treatment of an important topic. This excellent guide will serve high school, public and academic library audiences. * Lawrence Looks at Books *

Author Bio

Toyin Falola is Frances Higginbotham Nalle Centennial Professor in History at the University of Texas, Austin, and a proflific editor and author. Some of his books include Culture and Customs of Nigeria (Greenwood, 2000) and Key Events in African History (Greenwood, 2002). Amanda Warnock is a graduate student in the History Department at the University of Texas, Austin.