One of the most fascinating history books I have read in a long time. It is very well documented and contains 40 pages of notes and index material. This is the history of African Americans in American politics from before the Revolutionary War to today. I have some new heroes to admire and teach my children about. I learned things about Frederick Douglass, for example, that I was never taught in school. 
 Quotes: 
 I was, on the anti-slavery question,...fully committed to (the) doctrine touching the pro-slavery character of the Constitution...I advocated it with pen and tongue, according to the best of my ability...Upon a reconsideration of the whole subject, I became convinced... that the Constitution of the United States not only contained no guarantees in favor of slavery, but on the contrary, it is in its letter and spirit an anti-slavery instrument, demanding the abolition of slavery as a condition of its own existence as the supreme law of the lad. Here was a radical change in my opinions...Brought directly, when I escaped from slavery, into contact with a class of abolitionists regarding the Constitution as a slaveholding instrument, it is not strange that I assumed the Constitution to be just what their interpretation made it...But I was now conducted to the conclusion that the Constitution of the United States was not designed to maintain and perpetuate a system of slavery - especially as not one word can be found in the Constitution to authorize such a belief. Frederick Douglass 
 I am the slave of principles; I call no political party master...I have ever most sincerely embraced the democratic ideal - not, indeed, as represented or professed by any party, but according to its real significance as transfigured in the Declaration of Independence and in the injunctions of Christianity. Representative Robert Brown Elliot 
 In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect (party) of the candidate - look to his character. Noah Webster