Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Preface ix
4. Introduction 1
5. Chapter one. The Spark 12
6. Chapter two. The Quarantine 36
7. Chapter three. The Word: David Walker 55
8. Chapter four. Arresting the Word 72
9. Chapter five. The Fire Nat Turner 82
10. Chapter six. The South’s Last Slavery Debate 96
11. Chapter seven. The Blockade 117
12. Chapter eight. A Gag in the Halls of Congress 138
13. Chapter nine. The Tragedy of Silence 148
14. Chapter ten. Southern Propaganda 166
15. Chapter eleven. Secret Learning 176
16. Chapter twelve. Black Literacy on Trial 190
17. Chapter thirteen. A Rebirth of Freedom Black Schooling in the Midst of War 208
18. Chapter fourteen. Public Education for All 232
19. Chapter fifteen. Burning Down the Schoolhouse 257
20. Chapter sixteen. Our Chance to Break the Cycle 275
21. Notes 291
22. Acknowledgments 335
23. Index 337