An Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans

by Lydia Maria Child

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Genres: Classics, Nonfiction, Race, Historical, History

272 pages, Paperback

Published January 12, 2012

About the author

Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880) was an activist and writer of novels, pamphlets, and works for children. She often used her writing to advocate for slaves, women, and Native Americans. Lydia Maria Child was born in Medford, Massachusetts, where her grandfather’s house, which she celebrates in her poem, still stands.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written decades before Uncle Tom's Cabin, this book led to Child's virtual ostracization (she was already a popular novelist and writer of domestic guides). It's an amazing work, especially when the full context is taken into account. It was written in 1833 and written by a woman--she frequently apologizes for "being so bold". Worth reading, especially if you're interested in the abolitionist movement.

[Tricia Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best pro - abolitionist books that I have ever read.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I read for my Literature of Slavery class. Pretty dry, but you can't get a better primer on the institution of slavery in the United States. Child lays it all out, the ugly truth of America's worst evil (or second-worst; it's a toss-up between slavery and the near-genocide of Native Americans).

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child's abolitionist arguments still ring resoundingly for freedom, human rights, and equality. On this reading (number three or four), the most compelling part of the text are the biographies and the review of history to prove to her Euro-American readers that Americans of African descent were truly equals in every way to every other American.

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first abolitionist books written-- and by a woman, at that. This book destroyed her blossoming literary career and she had to work hard to get it back, but, to my knowledge, never backed down from her statements here. My one desire is for an edition that provides a thorough bibliography in the back...