Research Guides: Black History Month @ The University Libraries: Learn more: Books &amp; reference books

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Reference & Special Collections books

Featured materials held in the Reese Library Reference Section

This is by no means a comprehensive list—check with reference staff or search the GIL catalog on the right for more materials.

African Americans Frontiers by Alan B. Govenar
Call Number: Reese Reference REF E444 .G68 2000

Publication Date: 2000

A collection of first hand narratives and oral histories portraying the African American experience from slavery through emancipation and into the 20th century. African American Frontiers concentrates on the period from 1703, the date of the first published narrative of an African slave's attainment of freedom in the American colonies, to 1948, the year in which President Harry S. Truman integrated the United States armed forces through Executive Order 9981.
African American History in the Press, 1851-1899 by Stielow
Call Number: Reese Reference REF E185.2 .A25 1996

Publication Date: 1996

This collection offers an overview of events and personalities that were involved in such historical milestones as: the Dred Scott decision of 1857; Lincoln's candidacy for the presidency and his 1860 election; the printed announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863; and the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870. Chronological coverage begins with an illustrated report of the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1851. Each year following is covered in separate chapters that begin with an introduction and overview written by a historian. In all, 1200 articles are reproduced.
African American National Biography by Henry Louis Gates (Editor); Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham (Editor)
Call Number: Reese Reference REF E185.96 .A4466 2008

Publication Date: 2008-02-18

A landmark scholarly achievement publishing February 2008 in 8 volumes -- Order early and save $200!The African American National Biography will present 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.
Africana: The encyclopedia of the African and African American experience by Kwame Anthony Appiah (Editor); Henry Louis Gates (Editor)
Call Number: Reese Reference REF DT14 .A37435 2005

Publication Date: 2005

Ninety years after W.E.B. Du Bois first articulated the need for "the equivalent of a black Encyclopedia Britannica," Kwame Anthony Appiah and Henry Louis Gates Jr., realized his vision by publishing Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience in 1999. This new, greatly expanded edition of the original work broadens the foundation provided by Africana. Including more than one million new words, Africana has been completely updated and revised.
Black Women in America by Darlene Clark Hine (Editor)
Call Number: Reese Reference REF E185.86 .B542 2005

Publication Date: 2005

Winner of the Dartmouth Medal for Outstanding Reference Publication of 1994, the first edition of Black Women in America broke ground-pulling together for the first time all of the research in this vast but underrepresented field to provide one of the strongest building blocks of Black Women's Studies. Hailed by Eric Foner of Columbia University (for a Lingua Franca survey) as "one of those publishing events which changes the way we look at a field," it simultaneously filled a void in the literature and sparked new research and concepts regarding African-American women in history.
Civil Rights in America: 1500 to the present by Jay A. Sigler
Call Number: Reese Reference REF JC599.U5 S53 1998

Publication Date: 1998

Giving significant attention to 19th- and 20th-century American civil rights, as well as post-1950s civil rights issues, this text offers an overview, discussion and documentation ranging from the use of black slaves in the New World (1501) to California's Proposition 187.
Colonial America: an Encyclopedia of Social, Political, Cultural, and Economic History by James Ciment
Call Number: Reese Reference REF E162 .C68 2006

Publication Date: 2006

No era in American history has been more fascinating to Americans, or more critical to the ultimate destiny of the United States, than the colonial era. Between the time that the first European settlers established a colony at Jamestown in 1607 through the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the outlines of America's distinctive political culture, economic system, social life, and cultural patterns had begun to emerge. Designed to complement the high school American history curriculum as well as undergraduate survey courses, "Colonial America: An Encyclopedia of Social, Political, Cultural, and Economic History" captures it all: the people, institutions, ideas, and events of the first three hundred years of American history. While it focuses on the thirteen British colonies stretching along the Atlantic, Colonial America sets this history in its larger contexts. ** See chapters on African-Americans, Race and Ethnicity, Slave Trade. **
Encyclopedia of African American History, 1619-1895 by Paul Finkelman (Editor)
Call Number: Reese Reference REF E185 .E545 2006

Publication Date: 2006

It is impossible to understand America without understanding the history of African Americans. In nearly seven hundred entries, the Encyclopedia of African American History, 1619-1895 documents the full range of the African American experience during that period-from the arrival of the firstslave ship to the death of Frederick Douglass-and shows how all aspects of American culture, history, and national identity have been profoundly influenced by the experience of African Americans. The Encyclopedia covers an extraordinary range of subjects. Major topics such as "Abolitionism," "Black Nationalism," the "Civil War," the "Dred Scott case," "Reconstruction," "Slave Rebellions and Insurrections," the "Underground Railroad," and "Voting Rights" are given the in-depth treatment one would expect.
Harlem Renaissance Lives by Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham (Editor); Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Editor)
Call Number: Reese Reference REF E185.6 .H265 2009

Publication Date: 2009

The Harlem Renaissance is the best known and most widely studied cultural movement in African American history. Now, in Harlem Renaissance Lives, esteemed scholars Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham have selected 300 key biographical entries culled from the eight-volume African American National Biography, providing an authoritative who's who of this seminal period. Here readers will find engagingly written and authoritative articles on notable African Americans who made significant contributions to literature, drama, music, visual art, or dance, including such central figures as poet Langston Hughes, novelist Zora Neale Hurston, aviator Bessie Coleman, blues singer Ma Rainey, artist Romare Bearden, dancer Josephine Baker, jazzman Louis Armstrong, and the intellectual giant W. E. B. Du Bois.
On the Trail of the Buffalo Soldier II by Irene Schubert; Frank N. Schubert
Call Number: Reese Reference REF U52 .O5 2004

Publication Date: 2004

Since the publication of On the Trail of the Buffalo Soldier in 1995, a wide variety of new material has emerged on the African American men who served in the Army between the Civil War and World War I. On the Trail of the Buffalo Soldier II presents more than 2,000 new and nearly 1,000 revised biographies of black servicemen, giving the researcher not only glimpses of individual lives but also documentation of the variety of African-American experiences within and outside the army.

Featured materials held in the Reese Library Reference section and as eBooks

This is by no means a comprehensive list—check with reference staff or search the GIL catalog for more materials.

African American Art and Artists by Samella Lewis; Floyd Coleman (Foreword by); Mary Jane Hewitt (Introduction by)
Call Number: Reese Reference REF N6538.N5 L38 2003

Publication Date: 2003

Samella Lewis has brought African American Art and Artists fully up to date in this revised and expanded edition. The book now looks at the works and lives of artists from the eighteenth century to the present, including new work in traditional media as well as in installation art, mixed media, and digital/computer art. Mary Jane Hewitt, an author, curator, and longtime friend of Samella Lewis's, has written an introduction to the new edition. Generously and handsomely illustrated, the book continues to reveal the rich legacy of work by African American artists, whose art is now included in the permanent collections of national and international museums as well as in major private collections.
The African American Experience by Arvarh E. Strickland; Robert E. Weems
Call Number: E184.65.A37 2001

Publication Date: 2000

Compared to the early decades of the 20th century, when scholarly writing on African Americans was limited to a few titles on slavery, Reconstruction, and African American migration, the last thirty years have witnessed an explosion of works on the African American experience. With the Civil Rights and Black Power movements of the 1960s came an increasing demand for the study and teaching of African American history followed by the publication of increasing numbers of titles on African American life and history. This volume provides a comprehensive bibliographical and analytical guide to this growing body of literature as well as an analysis of how the study of African Americans has changed.
American Musical Traditions
Call Number: Reese Reference REF ML3551.A53 2002

Publication Date: 2001

Prepared in conjunction with the Smithsonian/Folkways Archives, this set highlights the contributions of Native American, European-American, African American and immigrant groups (including Asian, Hispanic, Western and Eastern European cultures) to our rich musical heritage. Maps, charts and photos show how the music has grown and spread and the inter-relationships between musical cultures.
Finder's Guide to Black Heritage Sites by Nancy C. Curtis
Call Number: Reese Reference REF E159.C95 1996

Publication Date: 1995

A Choice Outstanding Academic Book of 1996, this moving guide locates significant places in African American history and supplies more recent addresses, phone numbers, and visitor's information than any other source in print.
Black Literature Criticism by James P. Draper
Call Number: Reese Reference PS153.N5 B556 1999 Suppl.

Publication Date: 1998

A collection of excerpted criticism on major works by 125 prominent black writers includes detailed profiles of each author and a history of critical response to his or her works.
Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance by Cary D. Wintz (Editor); Paul Finkelman (Editor)
Call Number: Reese Reference REF NX512.3.A35 E53 2004

Publication Date: 2004

From the music of Louis Armstrong to the portraits by Beauford Delaney, the writings of Langston Hughes to the debut of the musical Show Boat, the Harlem Renaissance is one of the most significant developments in African-American history in the twentieth century. The Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance, in two-volumes and over 635 entries, is the first comprehensive compilation of information on all aspects of this creative, dynamic period. For a full list of entries, contributors, and more, visit the Encyclopedi a of Harlem Renaissance website.
Harlem Renaissance Lives by Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham (Editor); Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Editor)
Call Number: Reese Reference REF E185.6.H265 2009

Publication Date: 2009

The Harlem Renaissance is the best known and most widely studied cultural movement in African American history. Now, in Harlem Renaissance Lives, esteemed scholars Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham have selected 300 key biographical entries culled from the eight-volume African American National Biography, providing an authoritative who's who of this seminal period. Here readers will find engagingly written and authoritative articles on notable African Americans who made significant contributions to literature, drama, music, visual art, or dance, including such central figures as poet Langston Hughes, novelist Zora Neale Hurston, aviator Bessie Coleman, blues singer Ma Rainey, artist Romare Bearden, dancer Josephine Baker, jazzman Louis Armstrong, and the intellectual giant W. E. B. Du Bois. Also included are biographies of people like the Scottsboro Boys, who were not active within the movement but who nonetheless profoundly affected the artistic and political statements that came from Harlem Renaissance figures. The volume will also feature a preface by the editors, an introductory essay by historian Cary D. Wintz, and 75 illustrations.
Lift Every Voice by Philip S. Foner; Robert James Branham
Call Number: Online

Publication Date: 1998

"The eloquence and power of black voices calling upon all Americans to honor their commitment to the principles of freedom and equality during the era of slavery, emancipation, and its disappointing aftermath are captured in this volume...The resulting collection testifies to the ongoing struggle against racial injustice, inequality, and prejudice, while the speeches themselves discredit assertions of black inferiority and white supremacy. Essential and enlightening reading for all Americans" Library Journal, March 15, 1998.
Multicultural and Ethnic Children's Literature in the United States by Donna L. Gilton
Call Number: Online

Publication Date: 2007

This book describes the history and characteristics of ethnic and multicultural children's literature in the U.S., as well as related materials published elsewhere. It relates in great detail the people, businesses, organizations, and institutions that create, disseminate, promote, critique, and collect these materials. Author Donna Gilton gives a detailed history of U.S. multicultural and ethnic children's literature throughout several historic periods, relating these developments to general social and political U.S. history.Chapters illustrate characteristics of U.S. multicultural children's books, the major issues in the field, and multicultural initiatives and mainstream responses, while also providing outlines of research possibilities in the field and suggesting other groups of people who should be emphasized more in the future. In doing all this, "Multicultural and Ethnic Children's Literature in the United States" brings together valuable and scattered information for the busy and involved librarians, teachers, parents, publishers, distributors, and community leaders who wish to use and promote this material with children.
The Negro Leagues Book by Dick Clark (Editor); Larry Lester (Editor)
Call Number: Reese Reference REF GV863.A1 N434y 1994

Publication Date: 1994

"One of the most comprehensive reference books on the subject with over 3400 player's yearly statistics accounted for. Also included are rosters, standings, team histories, photos and minor league records" Black Athletes and Lost Legends Association, Inc.
The Encyclopedia of African-American Writing by Grey House Publishing Staff
Call Number: Online

Publication Date: 2018

A timely survey of an important sector of American letters, The Encyclopedia of African-American Writing covers the role and influence of African American cultural leaders, from all walks of life, from the 18th century to the present. Readers will explore what inspired various African-American writers to create poems, plays, short stories, novels, essays, opinion pieces and numerous other works, and how those writings contributed to culture in America today.

Below are featured materials held in Reese Library's Special Collections

This is by no means a comprehensive list—check with reference staff or search the GIL catalog down below for more materials.

The photograph above is from the April 29, 1976 issue of the Augusta News-Review, published by Dr. Mallory Millender, and used by permission. Reese Library's Special Collections holds most issues of this newspaper from March 1975 to March 1985.

Other books of local interest include:

Blacks in Augusta, a chronology, 1741-1977 by Lloyd P. Terrell and Marguerite S.C. Terrell.

Special Collections F294.A9T47

Cedar Grove Cemetery Historic Augusta Cemetery, founded 1820.

Published by Augusta State University.

Special Collections and Reese Library Stacks F292.R5C42 2002

Entertainment in Augusta and the CSRA by Don Rhodes.

Special Collections and Reese Library Stacks F294.A9 R55 2004

Lucy Craft Laney—the mother of the children of the people: educator, reformer, social activist

By Gloria T. Williams-Way.

Special Collections LD5031.82 .W5584 1998

Say It Loud: my memories of James Brown, soul brother no. 1 by Don Rhodes.

Special Collections ML420.B818 R56 2009

“Tell them, we’re rising”: Black Intellectuals and Lucy Craft Laney in Post Civil War, Augusta, Georgia

By Mary Magdalene Marshall.

Special Collections LC2803.A85 M37 1998a