Capitol men

By Philip Dray

Subjects: African American legislators, African american legislators, History, Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877), United States, Zwarten, Social justice, Politics and government, Biography, Reconstruction (u.s. history, 1865-1877), United States. Congress. House, Southern states, race relations, Het Congres, Race relations, United states, politics and government, 1865-1900, United states, congress, house, biography, Political aspects, Reconstruction (1865-1877), Southern states, politics and government, United states, race relations

Description: Pulitzer Prize finalist Philip Dray shines a light on a little known group of men: the nation's first black members of Congress. These men played a critical role in pushing for much-needed reforms in the wake of a traumatic civil war, including public education for all children, equal rights, and protection from Klan violence. But they have been either neglected or maligned by most historians--their "glorious failure" chalked up to corruption and "ill-preparedness."--From publisher description.