Reconstruction was a time of idealism and sweeping change, as the victorious Union created citizenship rights for the freed slaves and granted the ...
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Apr 03, 2009
Theophilus
rated it: 
For some reason, most high school (and some college) textbooks jump from the Civil War to the Spanish-American War as if nothing significant happened in the United States in the intervening years. I found this hard to believe. I have been reading over the years and discovered that it can be seriously argued that the South did not surrender, but merely changed tactics in 1865. This book fills in some blanks about the activities of Congress, but seeks to dispell the myth that all was well with the
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Nov 03, 2009
Damon
rated it:
"..not since the Reconstruction" has become a popular phrase in contemporary politics. Dray's book offers a new perspective on quite an old cliche; you'll be surprised to learn that Doug Wilder was technically not the first black governor.[But I won't spoil it for you; the one who was did so under a technicality but was governor nonetheless:].
Dray's book flows and reads effortlessly. Some of the information will surprise and delight; otherwise it potentially 'inflame' your More...
Dray's book flows and reads effortlessly. Some of the information will surprise and delight; otherwise it potentially 'inflame' your More...
Jun 07, 2010
Eric
rated it: 
Most of the “capitol men” are long-familiar by name, but the pride-instilling Black History childrens books my parents dutifully distributed necessarily skimped on the lurid details of real politics. The lovable knave in the pack is P.B.S. Pinchback, aka “Pinch,” introduced by Dray as “hated, loved, always dapper”—a fine way to come down to posterity, if you ask me.
Pinch was a former riverboat cardsharp with many a hair’s-breadth ‘scape in his past (hair’s bre More...
Pinch was a former riverboat cardsharp with many a hair’s-breadth ‘scape in his past (hair’s bre More...
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(14 people liked it)
Jul 26, 2011
It is one thing to tell a US History survey that after the Civil War, Reconstruction state governments had black Congressmen, judges and officials, but that they were removed by Bourbons after 1876. It is something else to get to know them as human beings through Philip Dray's intensely personal and beautifully reconstructed group biography, especially their tragic and definitive dismissal from the halls of power into the Jim Crow south.
Sep 03, 2009
Rob
rated it:
One of the best history books I have ever read, this is story, both sad and inspiring, about the courageous freed slaves who played a major role in American politics before the South imposed apartheid and prevented them and their descendants from participating in public life until the Civil Rights Movement completed the job the Civil War began.
Jul 10, 2010
Paul
rated it:
This was one of my favorite books I've read in '09. Great book on
Black Congressmen during the short lived Reconstruction era.
Black Congressmen during the short lived Reconstruction era.
Oct 15, 2008
Intriguing review in New Yorker about the accomplishments and lives of the blacks elected to Congress during Reconstruction
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