Amazing Grace: An Anthology of Poems About Slavery, 1660-1810

Rating:
Summary: Necessary and quite amazing
Review: This anthology has been needed for a very long time. The range of poems is astounding and James Basker has done a terrific job of bringing together a collection that can't be found anywhere else. A second half, from 1810-1865, needs to be done but he's probably tuckered out after putting together this worthy collection. The poems are not just authored by ex-slaves and enslaved persons, there are plenty by other writers as well, which helps to show how the topic of slavery was, justifiably, ubiquitous. The most important aspect of this collection, perhaps, is the date range because people don't usually realize that slavery didn't just exist during the 19th century, it has a much longer history and this anthology brings that home. This is a great book and everyone should own it.

Rating:
Summary: Necessary and quite amazing
Review: This anthology has been needed for a very long time. The range of poems is astounding and James Basker has done a terrific job of bringing together a collection that can't be found anywhere else. A second half, from 1810-1865, needs to be done but he's probably tuckered out after putting together this worthy collection. The poems are not just authored by ex-slaves and enslaved persons, there are plenty by other writers as well, which helps to show how the topic of slavery was, justifiably, ubiquitous. The most important aspect of this collection, perhaps, is the date range because people don't usually realize that slavery didn't just exist during the 19th century, it has a much longer history and this anthology brings that home. This is a great book and everyone should own it.