Unsung: Unheralded Narratives of American Slavery & Abolition

by Michelle D. Commander, Kevin Young Narrated by Chris Abernathy, Amanda Carlin, William DeMeritt, Dion Graham, Bill Andrew Quinn, Marisha Tapera, Bahni Turpin, Jade Wheeler

Overview

A new historical anthology from transatlantic slavery to the Reconstruction curated by the Schomburg Center, that makes the case for focusing on the histories of Black people as agents and architects of their own lives and ultimate liberation, with a foreword by Kevin Young

This is the first Penguin Classics anthology published in partnership with the Schomburg Center, a world-renowned cultural institution documenting black life in America and worldwide. A historic branch of NYPL located in Harlem, the Schomburg holds one of the world's premiere collections of slavery material within the Lapidus Center for Historical Analysis of Transatlantic Slavery. Unsung will place well-known documents by abolitionists alongside lesser-known life stories and overlooked or previously uncelebrated accounts of the everyday lives and activism that were central in the slavery era, but that are mostly excised from today's master accounts. Unsung will also highlight related titles from founder Arturo Schomburg's initial collection: rare histories and first-person narratives about slavery that assisted his generation in understanding the roots of their contemporary social struggles. Unsung will draw from the Schomburg's rich holdings in order to lead a dynamic discussion of slavery, rebellion, resistance, and anti-slavery protest in the United States.

Editorial Reviews

MARCH 2021 - AudioFile

The stellar narrators who anchor this stirring, at times heartrending, audiobook serve supporting roles to the slaves, preachers, abolitionists, and others who are the true authors of these narratives. Using multiple voice artists was a great decision. Hearing the performers deliver some of the more dramatic nineteenth-century pieces makes the writing seem not quite as over-the-top as contemporary readers might find it on the printed page. The multiple-narrator approach also helps maintain the feel of the separate works and the individuality of the people behind them. This is a long audiobook, but not one that demands linear listening. Skipping around and listening to a selection or two at a time won’t detract from its excellence. G.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2021 - AudioFile

The stellar narrators who anchor this stirring, at times heartrending, audiobook serve supporting roles to the slaves, preachers, abolitionists, and others who are the true authors of these narratives. Using multiple voice artists was a great decision. Hearing the performers deliver some of the more dramatic nineteenth-century pieces makes the writing seem not quite as over-the-top as contemporary readers might find it on the printed page. The multiple-narrator approach also helps maintain the feel of the separate works and the individuality of the people behind them. This is a long audiobook, but not one that demands linear listening. Skipping around and listening to a selection or two at a time won’t detract from its excellence. G.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173351814
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	02/16/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

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