These visual essays are illustrations that appeared in the newspaper during late 1800s and consisted of engravings, portraits, caricatures, and more. One aspect of the book that added a lot of value to the points made by the author was the addition of “visual essays” after the chapters. This book offered perspectives from all different backgrounds of people living during this time such as the elite white plantation owners, former slaves, and Northerners. Although, the focus is about the Reconstruction Era. Foner thinks the truth is much more complex which he uncovers.įorever Free opens with the origins of slavery and extends to the Civil War and Reconstruction Era and finally finishes with the establishment of Jim Crow. Another idea discussed in his book is the bare bone facts we are taught in grade school at a young age about the Reconstruction Era and history in general that can alter our perception. Eric Foner’s novel Forever Free: The Story of Emancipation & Reconstruction focuses on a central idea that the Reconstruction Era was America’s greatest and possibly only chance to achieve racial equality However, its failure, argued by Foner prevented the post-Civil War wounds from healing and to this day keeps oppressed groups from receiving equal opportunity.
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