The Slave Ship Clotilda and the Making of AfricaTown, USA Spirit of Our Ancestors

Subjects:

• Multicultural Studies » Black Studies
• History » American History -- Nineteenth Century
• History » African History

Reviews:

• After 15 years of research, from Benin to Alabama, historian Robertson offers a detailed reconstruction of the illegal voyage of the Clotilda and the amazing effort of the Africans to re-create lives for themselves in a strange land, as well as the traditions and cultures of the land they left behind. Robertson talked to Africans on both sides of the Atlantic to explore the complexities of the slave trade and continued cultural connections. She includes photographs of the descendants in America and Africa and the ties they continue to share....[T]his book will also appeal to readers interested in how black Americans have retained African culture.
  —Booklist June 1 & 15, 2008

• Endorsement From Dr. William H. Cosby,
  Educator, Entertainer, and Author of Come On People: On The Path From Victims to Victors.: A masterful reconstruction of the slave ship Clotilda's transatlantic smuggling voyage within the context of the illegal period in the slave trade, emphasizing the extent to which her West African captives rose above their victimization as enslaved peoples by drawing on their indigenous ideas, practices, worldviews, and values. A must read for those seeking to understand, and be inspired by, the genius, the resiliency, and the spirit of our ancestors and for those desiring a new, well-documented reference on the African origins of Black peoples. Would make a great feature film for all audiences.
• Endorsement From Dr. Molefi Kete Asante,
  Author of The History of Africa.: This is a brilliant historical analysis which is well written, profoundly enlightening, and daring, demonstrating the highest form of intellectual and historical analysis. Full of facts and sure to become a major work in African American history. Robertson must be commended for such a fine piece of scholarship that constitutes a remarkable achievement. Should be required reading of every American.
• Endorsement From Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter,
  Author of National Geographic book Africana Woman: Her Story Through Time.: Dr. Natalie Robertson gives a riveting account of a little known true story about the Clotilda Ancestors and their descendants. She speaks with a clear voice that is as informative as it is bold and compelling. With a researcher's skill, she lays the groundwork that enables them to speak their long-silenced truths.
• Endorsement From Dr. Akintunde Akinyemi,
  Author of Yorùbá Royal Bards: Their Work and Relevance in the Society.: This is a long overdue and most welcome addition to the scholarly library on transatlantic slavery. One valuable contribution of the book is that it raises the voices of indigenous chiefs and scholars who have been overlooked in previous studies. Nothing surpasses this book in originality, depth, and scope. The book will help Africans and African Americans to expand and deepen their transatlantic cultural connections.

Table of Contents:

• Dedication
• Acknowledgments
• Chapter One Prelude to Peril
• Chapter Two Voyage of the Slaver Clotilda
• Chapter Three The Dahomean Dimension
• Chapter Four Atlantic Passage
• Chapter Five In the Jaws of the Lion
• Chapter Six Central Nigeria
• Chapter Seven The Founding of AfricaTown
• Chapter Eight Spirit of Our Ancestors
• Chapter Nine Cross-Roads
• Bibliography

PDF Catalogs:
Praeger Public Library Spring 2008.pdf	Greenwood Multicultural Spring 2008.pdf