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9th Edition of
From Slavery to Freedom Released
Late renowned historian John Hope Franklin collaborated with Evelyn
Brooks Higginbotham of Harvard to contemporize classic text
WASHINGTON, D.C., – The history of African Americans that was
first told in 1947 when a then little-known U.S. historian named John
Hope Franklin published From Slavery to Freedom: A History of
African Americans, has been completely revised and updated to bring
this foundational, classic work into the 21st century including the
historic election of President Barack Obama.
Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, chair of the Department of African
and African American Studies at Harvard University, was chosen by Dr.
Franklin to be his co-author. He had known Dr. Higginbotham since her
childhood and had served as a mentor to the young scholar. They
collaborated on the latest edition, updating nearly 80 percent of the
book’s scholarship, until he died last year at the age of 94.
Black History Month presents an excellent opportunity to reflect on the
African-American experience in the United States using the scholarship
and comprehensive perspective of this highly influential text in its
ninth edition, published by McGraw-Hill and released in late January.
“Because of John Hope Franklin,” said Dr. Higginbotham, “The story of
blacks’ contributions to America – a record once denied, disregarded,
and disrespected – no longer stands at the back door of scholarship.”
The scholar-historian explained, "I viewed the process of revising
From Slavery to Freedom as one of rejuvenation – of capturing what I
call the 'present in history.' This edition carries the history of
African Americans to 2009, drawing upon the latest historical
scholarship and includes narrative, visual and interpretive qualities
that will appeal to today's readers."
Now rewritten to incorporate important developments in African-American
history from the 21st century, the new book charts the journey of
African Americans from their origins in the great civilizations of
Africa, through slavery in the Western Hemisphere to the aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina, the globalization of the hip hop movement, and the
recent landmark election of the nation’s first African American
president.
Significant changes in the new edition include:
- Attention to the complexity of North American slave culture during
the colonial period, treating not only the British Colonies, but also
slave life in the Spanish, Dutch and French colonies.
- Increased coverage of women and women's history.
- The emergence of grassroots social movements in local communities
across the U.S. in the mid-20th century.
- The important role of art and culture as a reflection of the
events and ideas of their time periods, including discussion of
individual writers, musicians and artists.
- "Windows in Time" features that expose the reader to actual voices
from the past.
“The legacy of my father lives on through this collaboration with
Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham,” said John W. Franklin. “Since the
presidential campaign and election of Barack Obama, there has been
increased curiosity and discussion about the history and experiences of
African Americans. I believe this revised and expanded publication,
written with 21st century relevancy, will continue to serve as an
excellent source of information and scholarship of African American
history in households and classrooms both here and abroad.”
The classic work, which has sold more than 3 million copies and has
been translated into numerous languages, has had a timeless influence in
shaping the direction and reception of African-American history and
continues to be used by professors and students across the country as an
introduction to the field.
The new From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans
is available online at www.amazon.com.
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