Synopses & Reviews
Review
"The most definitive collection of anti-slavery sentiment in verse yet compiled, essential reading for historians and literary critics alike. . . . A major contribution.”—Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Harvard University
Review
“An astounding literary and editorial achievement.”—David Blight, Yale University
Review
“Comprehensive. . . . The illuminating introduction . . . sets forth, economically and helpfully, the larger historical context (material, religious, legal, political) that gave rise to these poems. . . . [Baskers] list of bibliographical sources . . . makes the book of permanent scholarly value. . . . The historical interest [of Amazing Grace] is exceptional.”—Helen Vendler,
New RepublicSynopsis
Bringing together more than 400 poems and poetic excerpts on slavery by writers both famous and unknown, the landmark anthology charts the emergence of slavery in the collective consciousness of the English-special world.
About the Author
James G. Basker is Ann Whitney Olin Professor of English, Barnard College, Columbia University.