Black Life on the Mississippi

“Draws on a remarkable range of sources.” — Arkansas Historical Quarterly

“A long, sharply focused look at the life of African American river workers both during and after slavery.” — Missouri Historical Review

“Buchanan’s research is impeccable. . . . Unreservedly an important book — vital for students of the Mississippi and relevant far more widely.” — Journal of American Studies

“A solid work of scholarship. . . . A well-illustrated and attractively produced volume.” — Western Historical Quarterly

“Offers trenchant insights into the stark conditions of everyday life along the Mississippi.” — Louisiana History

"A valuable contribution to the ever-expanding literature on American slavery and freedom. . . . The book deserves a wide readership.” — Civil War History

“Makes a welcome and significant contribution to the history of slavery and African Americans with this interesting and well-researched work.” — Journal of the Early Republic

“A terrific read. . . . This is social and economic history at its best.” — Journal of American History

“In this thoroughly researched and elegantly written book, Buchanan recreates the lives of the tens of thousands of African-Americans who labored on the Mississippi and its tributaries. . . . Thanks to [his] prodigious investigation and eloquent prose, the real-life Jims who peopled the river banks and towns have at long last had their stories told.” — American Historical Review

“[Buchanan] highlights the paradoxical nature of the Mississippi and the mobility afforded river workers. . . . An important addition the literature on U.S. slavery.” — Journal of African American Studies