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A new look at the Black Virginians who defined and realized their freedom after the collapse of slavery “Verily, the work does not end with the abolition of slavery,” wrote Frederick Douglass in 1862, “but only begins.” The Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment altered a legal status; to make freedom a reality represented a different challenge altogether. Justice for Ourselves tells the stories of remarkable Black men and women in post–Civil War Virginia who persevered in the face of overwhelming barriers to seek their freedom and create a new world for themselves and future generations. Drawing on the life stories of individuals from all regions of the state—political leaders, teachers, ministers, journalists, and entrepreneurs—Justice for Ourselves recounts their quests to attain full American citizenship and economic independence before the onset of Jim Crow repression. Centering Black voices, this book includes tales of opportunities seized and opportunities lost and will reshape the narrative of Black history and the history of Virginia in the second half of the nineteenth century.

A compelling new book that combines personal memoir, family history, and an exploration of colonial life in India during the 19th century. Divided into three distinct parts, this unique narrative weaves together the author's reflections on life, an insightful study of the Balliol family, and the incredible stories of five brothers who all served in British India. Opening his book with a personal account, John Baillie takes readers on a journey through his life experiences as a naval aviator and then successful businessman. In the second section, Baillie delves into the remarkable history of his own family, particularly focusing on their connection to India. The Balliol family's Scottish heritage and their strong ties to the East India Company are explored in detail. Finally, the author turns his attentions to the fascinating tale of the five brothers who served in British India during the height of the Empire Vividly imparting their adventures as they navigate the Indian Mutiny, the Crimean War, and life in Karachi, details of their bravery, perseverance and the challenges faced all come from letters penned by the brothers to their parents and siblings, still at home in London's Poplar. With its themes of resilience, ambition, and familial loyalty running throughout each part of this compelling book, readers are offered a rare and authentic glimpse into the lives of those who helped to shape modern India.

Born into slavery on a Louisiana plantation, John Roy Lynch (1847–1939) came to adulthood during the Reconstruction Era and lived a public-spirited life for over three decades. His political career began in 1869 with his appointment as justice of the peace. Within the year, he was elected to the Mississippi legislature and was later elected Speaker of the House. At age twenty-five, Lynch became the first African American from Mississippi to be elected to the United States Congress. He led the fight to secure passage of the Civil Rights Bill of 1875. In 1884, he was elected temporary chairman of the Eighth Republican National Convention and was the first black American to deliver the keynote address. His autobiography, Reminiscences of an Active Life, reflects Lynch's thoughtful and nuanced understanding of the past and of his own experience. The book, written when he was ninety, challenges a number of traditional arguments about Reconstruction. In his experience, African Americans in the South competed on an equal basis with whites; the state governments were responsive to the needs of the people; and race was not always a decisive factor in the politics of Reconstruction. The autobiography, which would not be published until 1970, provides rich material for the study of American politics and race relations during Reconstruction. It sheds light on presidential patronage, congressional deals, and personality conflicts among national political figures. Lynch's childhood reflections reveal new dimensions to our understanding of black experience during slavery and beyond. An introduction by John Hope Franklin puts Lynch's public and private lives in the context of his times and provides an overview of how Reminiscences of an Active Life came to be written.

An authoritative and detailed account of contract law; this is a widely renowned and well-respected textbook for students of contract law, and a trusted source of reference for practitioners and academics.