Margaret Bristow

This book-- soon to be canonical-- is a must read if people are to reconfigure the broad Janus face of emancipation. Part aesthetically lyrical in geographical details and impressive in myriad forms of documentation, we see the deceit in American emancipation and also Caribbean, British and South African emancipation disguised in the form of apprenticeships, indentured servitude, and gradual emancipation practices including Black Codes. Manjapra leaves no stone unturned as he clearly sets forth a cogent argument for reparations.He gives poignant exams of those who were reparated: the slave masters! Slavery he shows still had a long death; in fact its ghost is still seen in our zeitgeist. He begs us to confront it-- not act as though it ain't there! Make it the subject of your book club immediately! Suggest it be included in the high school and college curriculum. I thank Ronald Saunders President of the Dr. Edna B. McKenzie Branch of ASALH for galvanizing me to read this well - orchestrated book whose symphony will be forever hauntingly ringing in your ears. Margaret, he's given you the truth behind Juneteenth. Now what are you going to do?