Lifting the Chains: The Black Freedom Struggle Since Reconstruction

Lifting the Chains is a history of the Black experience in America since the Civil War, told by one of our most distinguished historians of modern America, William H. Chafe. He argues that, despite the wishes and arguments of many whites to the contrary, the struggle for freedom has
been carried out primarily by BlackAmericans, with only occasional assistance from whites. Chafe highlights the role of all-black institutions-especially the churches, lodges, local gangs, neighborhood women's g...