Freedom Was in Sight: A Graphic History of Reconstruction in the Washington, D.C., Region

"The Reconstruction era was born from the tumult and violence of the Civil War and delivered the most powerful changes the United States had seen since its founding. Black Americans in Washington, D.C., and its surrounding region were at the heart of these transformations, bravely working to reunite their families, build their communities, and claim rights long denied them. Meanwhile, in the capital, government leaders struggled to reunite and remake the nation. Famous individuals such as Frederick Douglass and Ida B. Wells played central roles, as did lesser-known figures like Emma Brown, the first African American teacher in Washington's public schools, and lawyer-journalist William Calvin Chase, longtime editor of the Washington Bee. Freedom Was in Sight! draws on the words and experiences of people who lived during Reconstruction, powerfully narrating how the impacts of emancipation and civil war rippled outward for decades. Vividly drawn by award-winning graphic artist Liz Clarke and written by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Kate Masur, a leading historian of Reconstruction, this rich graphic history reveals the hopes and betrayals of a critical period in American history"--

Publisher Marketing: This vivid graphic history is a remarkable achievement that belongs in classrooms, in personal and public libraries, and on coffee tables. Following a captivating ensemble of freedom fighters, it takes readers on a journey into cities and rural communities, military camps, homes, schools, lodges, churches, city council chambers, and the halls of Congress where Black freedom was constructed during emancipation and Reconstruction. Kate Masur's eloquent and masterful storytelling is brought to life with Liz Clarke's astonishing and moving illustrations. I cannot recommend this book highly enough."--Kidada E. Williams, author of I Saw Death Coming Commendation Quotes : Freedom Was in Sight is a revelation. Kate Masur's exceptional scholarship combined with Liz Clarke's virtuosic illustrations bring the history of Reconstruction to life with color, texture, and humanity. Never has Reconstruction been rendered in such a dynamic way. No longer is the history an abstraction. Here it leaps from the page. It breathes. It speaks. It haunts. It quakes. I can't stop thinking about this book."--Clint Smith, author of How the Word Is Passed Commendation Quotes : Reconstruction began with emancipation as lived experience and national transformation; it has never really ended. Here, in vivid visuals, a tight narrative, and rich context, Masur and Clarke give readers an experience they will not forget. So much of this story happened in and around the Washington, D.C., region, and the author and artist reveal its most significant constitutional and moral meanings for the eye and the mind. I can only wish I'd had this kind of powerful history of Reconstruction in my youth. This tale of America's second founding in the capital city as thousands of freedmen found new homes and lives is withering, visually stunning, and good history all at once."--David W. Blight, author of Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom . Commendation Quotes : " Freedom Was in Sight is a revelation. Kate Masur's exceptional scholarship combined with Liz Clarke's virtuosic illustrations bring the history of Reconstruction to life with color, texture, and humanity. Never has Reconstruction been rendered in such a dynamic way. No longer is the history an abstraction. Here it leaps from the page. It breathes. It speaks. It haunts. It quakes. I can't stop thinking about this book."--Clint Smith, author of How the Word Is Passed Commendation Quotes : "Reconstruction began with emancipation as lived experience and national transformation; it has never really ended. Here, in vivid visuals, a tight narrative, and rich context, Masur and Clarke give readers an experience they will not forget. So much of this story happened in and around the Washington, D.C., region, and the author and artist reveal its most significant constitutional and moral meanings for the eye and the mind. I can only wish I'd had this kind of powerful history of Reconstruction in my youth. This tale of America's second founding in the capital city as thousands of freedmen found new homes and lives is withering, visually stunning, and good history all at once."--David W. Blight, author of Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom . Commendation Quotes : "This vivid graphic history is a remarkable achievement that belongs in classrooms, in personal and public libraries, and on coffee tables. Following a captivating ensemble of freedom fighters, it takes readers on a journey into cities and rural communities, military camps, homes, schools, lodges, churches, city council chambers, and the halls of Congress where Black freedom was constructed during emancipation and Reconstruction. Kate Masur's eloquent and masterful storytelling is brought to life with Liz Clarke's astonishing and moving illustrations. I cannot recommend this book highly enough."--Kidada E. Williams, author of I Saw Death Coming Review Quotes : "An incredible resource. In my 13 years as an educator, it is rare to come across a graphic history that is so well researched and deeply engaging for students. This graphic history is a must read because it offers readers, particularly students, timeless lessons and hope for how to create a more inclusive and perfect union today."--Ben Williams, DC State Board Representative and DC Public Schools history teacher Biographical Note : Kate Masur is Board of Visitors Professor of History at Northwestern University and author, most recently, of Until Justice Be Done: America's First Civil Rights Movement, from the Revolution to Reconstruction . Liz Clarke lives in Cape Town, South Africa, where she works as an illustrator. Her work is featured in many graphic histories, including Witness to the Age of Revolution (with Charles F. Walker) and Abina and the Important Men (with Trevor R. Getz). Review Quotes : "The experiences of Americans during the Reconstruction era are richly drawn in this informative and colorful account."-- New York Times Book Review Review Quotes : "Engaging reading for all ages . . . . Recalling this earlier time of profound social division in America's history, Masur and Clarke's collaboration celebrates the men and women who battled the forces of white supremacy to gain their rightful place as citizen."-- Kirkus Reviews Review Quotes : "A strikingly original retelling of the African American experience in the Washington metropolitan area following the Civil War. . . . Masur and Clarke have produced a work that invites readers into the fascinating lives of several generations of Black Americans in the Washington metropolitan area whose struggles and achievements left a lasting mark on both the region and the nation. . . . Freedom Was in Sight succeeds spectacularly."-- Washington History Review Quotes : "A truly creative, eye-grabbing approach to historical scholarship."-- Civil War Monitor Review Quotes : "With Freedom was in Sight , new and important paths are being blazed that will hopefully bear fruit by creating a wider and more informed citizenry."-- Emerging Civil War Review Quotes : " Freedom Was in Sight is a revelation. Kate Masur's exceptional scholarship combined with Liz Clarke's virtuosic illustrations bring the history of Reconstruction to life with color, texture, and humanity. Never has Reconstruction been rendered in such a dynamic way. No longer is the history an abstraction. Here it leaps from the page. It breathes. It speaks. It haunts. It quakes. I can't stop thinking about this book."--Clint Smith, author of How the Word Is Passed Review Quotes : "Reconstruction began with emancipation as lived experience and national transformation; it has never really ended. Here, in vivid visuals, a tight narrative, and rich context, Masur and Clarke give readers an experience they will not forget. So much of this story happened in and around the Washington, D.C., region, and the author and artist reveal its most significant constitutional and moral meanings for the eye and the mind. I can only wish I'd had this kind of powerful history of Reconstruction in my youth. This tale of America's second founding in the capital city as thousands of freedmen found new homes and lives is withering, visually stunning, and good history all at once."--David W. Blight, author of Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom . Review Quotes : "This vivid graphic history is a remarkable achievement that belongs in classrooms, in personal and public libraries, and on coffee tables. Following a captivating ensemble of freedom fighters, it takes readers on a journey into cities and rural communities, military camps, homes, schools, lodges, churches, city council chambers, and the halls of Congress where Black freedom was constructed during emancipation and Reconstruction. Kate Masur's eloquent and masterful storytelling is brought to life with Liz Clarke's astonishing and moving illustrations. I cannot recommend this book highly enough."--Kidada E. Williams, author of I Saw Death Coming Review Quotes : "Th[is] incisive book indicates how Reconstruction will be treated prospectively as Redemption and Lost Cause ideology recede from memory."-- Mississippi Clarion Ledger Publisher Marketing : The Reconstruction era was born from the tumult and violence of the Civil War and delivered the most powerful changes the United States had seen since its founding. Black Americans in Washington, D.C., and its surrounding region were at the heart of these transformations, bravely working to reunite their families, build their communities, and claim rights long denied them. Meanwhile, in the capital, government leaders struggled to reunite and remake the nation. Famous individuals such as Frederick Douglass and Ida B. Wells played central roles, as did lesser-known figures like Emma Brown, the first African American teacher in Washington's public schools, and lawyer-journalist William Calvin Chase, longtime editor of the Washington Bee . Freedom Was in Sight! draws on the words and experiences of people who lived during Reconstruction, powerfully narrating how the impacts of emancipation and civil war rippled outward for decades. Vividly drawn by award-winning graphic artist Liz Clarke and written by Pulitzer Prize-finalist Kate Masur, a leading historian of Reconstruction, this rich graphic history reveals the hopes and betrayals of a critical period in American history. Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2024 (EAN 9781469680187, Paperback) Contributor Bio: Masur, Kate Kate Masur is Board of Visitors Professor of History at Northwestern University and author, most recently, of Until Justice Be Done: America's First Civil Rights Movement, from the Revolution to Reconstruction . Contributor Bio: Clarke, Elizabeth Liz Clarke lives in Cape Town, South Africa, where she works as an illustrator. Her work is featured in many graphic histories, including Witness to the Age of Revolution (with Charles F. Walker) and Abina and the Important Men (with Trevor R. Getz).

Format: Paperback | Pages: 192 | Publication Date: 2024-10-01