Crossing the Danger Water: Three Hundred Years of African-American Writing

by Deirdre Mullane

Book Overview

The most comprehensive collection of writing by and about African-Americans ever to appear in one volume Never before has such an impressive and far-reaching mix of writings by African-Americans been gathered together into a single anthology. Combining an extensive selection of poetry, prose, speeches, songs, documents, and letters dating from the pre-Colonial era through today's best and most well-known writers, this anthology offers a testament...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385422431
• ISBN13: 9780385422437
• Release Date: September 1993
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 800 Pages
• Weight: 2.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.6" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Underrated Black history classic

It's a shame this book is not better known than it is. It is a classic collection of lesser-known writings of Black history mixed with familiar things such as MLK's Dream Speech and Booker T. Washington's Atlanta address. Among the lesser known items are important, but seldom-read documents such as the Emancipation Proclamation, the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments (reparations fans would do well to read article 4 of the latter document), and my favorite is Frances Harper's moving letter of sympathy for John Brown's widow (studients in my own Black history classes have always been in awe of this as I've read it aloud). But enough said, read it, learn, think, and enjoy.

Best I've read on Black History

I used this book while taking a Black History course. Everyone in the course agreed that it was the best book we had read on Black History. This was not just a book on history or literature (like most Black History books are) but a very enlightening combination of both subjects. The first thing that caught our attention was how it touched on those people that were involved in our history that are rarely if ever talked about. Also, some of the literature was from African stories that touched on the history of slavery from Africa. This was important to me, because many people blame slavery totally on whites, without an understanding that Blacks held slaves (in Africa and America also) and captured slaves for White Europeans. The letters written, such as those by the lawyers for Dred Scott, and John Brown gave you an interesting perspective of the struggles and the twisted legalities of the decisions passed down in those cases. Also, the personality differences revealed between some of our early leaders, such as W.E.B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington and other contemporaries further demonstrated why our fight for freedom has been such a struggle. This is a very good book and one worth reading and adding to your personal library.

This book is a fantastic reference for teachers.

This book contains just about everything of importance in black history. It includes an information page about each person's work that is in the book, people like Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Alice Walker, Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey to name a few. I use this book extensively when teaching my history classes.

excellent documentation of african american writings

A book that should be owned by all African Americans. It gives you a history of the people from the begining with how African were here before columbus and ending with the LA riots. The material contained in this book alone would allow young African American to understand what their ancestors went through to get them where they are. Any serious African American scholar or educator should share this book with their students. Thanks to a fine African AMerican Rheotric teacher this book has been shared with many young African American students

The author compiles great writing by great americans

Ms. Mullane has compiled the best of the best known writing by African-Americans over the past centuries. I was in awe of how struggle and hope are intermingled by former slaves, abolitionist, and nobel peace prize winners. This is a must read for anyone who is dedicated to American History.