African American National Biography
The African American National Biography presents history through a mosaic of the lives of thousands of individuals, illuminating the abiding influence of persons of African descent on the life of this nation from the arrival of Esteban in Spanish Florida in 1529 through to notable black citizens of the present day. \ Available initially as a handsome eight-volume set containing over 4,000 entries written and signed by distinguished scholars, the AANB continues to grow along with the field of...
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Covering African American life for almost five centuries, from the arrival of Esteban in Spanish Florida in 1528 to notable black citizens of the present day, this major reference project collects and resurrects the lives of thousands of African Americans, revealing an intimate and textured history. The individuals in these biographical entries are slaves and abolitionists; writers; politicians and business people; musicians and dancers; artists and athletes; victims of injustice and the lawyers, journalists, and civil rights leaders who gave them a voice. Their experiences and accomplishments each provided a piece of the collective biographical history of African Americans in America. Finally, through the AANB, these important lives and contributions have been restored, recorded and made accessible to all students, teachers, scholars, and anyone interested in our nation's history.School Library JournalGr 8 Up -Laying another cornerstone for studies of African-American history and culture, the prolific author fronts a host of scholarly contributors to present detailed profiles of more than 4000 people, past and present. Along with all of the "canonical figures" from Esteban to Frederick Douglass, readers are introduced to an array of Bakers ranging from Josephine and Frankie to renowned librarian Augusta; ex-slave Charlie Aarons; midwives Margaret Charles Smith and Onnie Lee Logan; Oprah Winfrey; and numerous other businesspeople, scientists, politicians, performers, athletes, laborers, artists, scholars, and soldiers. The alphabetically arranged articles open with a quick identifying phrase; close with recommended print and, often, archival resources; and in between present a dense but revealing mix of biography and analytical comments (even in grade school, Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin "displayed a precocious talent for dissent"). Access is an issue; aside from highlighting the names of fellow entrants, plus an occasional name-variant "see" note, there are no cross-references, and the indexes in the final volume are limited to long lists of names under birthplaces, awards, and broad occupational categories. The photographs and other black-and-white illustrations are scanty, small, and poorly reproduced. Nonetheless, conceived as a complement for The American National Biography (2002) and unique in its breadth, this monumental work supersedes the selective edition published as African American Lives (2004, both Oxford) and belongs in every substantial print reference collection. Future updates will be added to the online version in the publisher's AfricanAmerican Studies Center.-John Peters, New York Public Library
\ From the Publisher"A powerful testament to our intelligence, integrity and commitment to excellence, traits often ignored by mainstream historians....This reference collection is a must-have for your library."\ --Essence\ "Blows the dust off Black History Month."--Newsweek\ "[A] Massive new biographical treasure chest." --Washington Post\ "Impressive....a major new standard reference work that most libraries of any size will want to have."--Booklist, starred review\ "Another major reference work that will add luster to Oxford University Press's reputation for serious scholarship. Given the set's obvious quality, the inclusiveness of its coverage, and the importance of African American Biography as a reflection of American history, libraries of all types would be wise to consider it."--Against the Grain\ "Comprehensive....Ambitious"--MSNBC.com\ "I have always admired the great work of Editor-in-Chief, Henry Louis Gates. The volumes will remain among my treasured displays."--Linda Johnson Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer, Johnson Publishing Company\ "This set, a monumental creation, is now the definitive black biographical database....Either the print or the online version should be a crucial purchase....Highly recommended. All levels."--CHOICE\ \ \ \ \ \ School Library JournalGr 8 Up -Laying another cornerstone for studies of African-American history and culture, the prolific author fronts a host of scholarly contributors to present detailed profiles of more than 4000 people, past and present. Along with all of the "canonical figures" from Esteban to Frederick Douglass, readers are introduced to an array of Bakers ranging from Josephine and Frankie to renowned librarian Augusta; ex-slave Charlie Aarons; midwives Margaret Charles Smith and Onnie Lee Logan; Oprah Winfrey; and numerous other businesspeople, scientists, politicians, performers, athletes, laborers, artists, scholars, and soldiers. The alphabetically arranged articles open with a quick identifying phrase; close with recommended print and, often, archival resources; and in between present a dense but revealing mix of biography and analytical comments (even in grade school, Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin "displayed a precocious talent for dissent"). Access is an issue; aside from highlighting the names of fellow entrants, plus an occasional name-variant "see" note, there are no cross-references, and the indexes in the final volume are limited to long lists of names under birthplaces, awards, and broad occupational categories. The photographs and other black-and-white illustrations are scanty, small, and poorly reproduced. Nonetheless, conceived as a complement for The American National Biography (2002) and unique in its breadth, this monumental work supersedes the selective edition published as African American Lives (2004, both Oxford) and belongs in every substantial print reference collection. Future updates will be added to the online version in the publisher's AfricanAmerican Studies Center.-John Peters, New York Public Library\ \ \
