Editorial Review

Mathew Henson chronicles the life of an exraordinary man and arctic explorer who was honored in 1996 by the U.S. Navy by having a ship named after him. Prince Whipple and James Armistead are two of the patriots discussed in Revolutionary War. Ironically, most African Americans fought for the British, trusting they would be set free when the British won. Nat Turner details the insurrectionist’s life and the events leading up to and including the rebellion. Even today this preacher/prophet remains a controversial figure, but a balanced discussion of his motivations and the use of primary sources lend a solid sense of credibility. Highly readable writing, information not readily available for the intended audience, illustrations and reproductions of paintings from the Library of Congress and other worthy institutions, and a respectful tone make these volumes excellent introductions to these African Americans and their times.