The first American novel to become an international best-seller, Stowe's book charts the paths from slavery to freedom of fugitives who escape the chains of American chattel slavery, and of a martyr who transcends all earthly ties.

This edition firmly locates Uncle Tom's Cabin within the context of African-American writing, the issues of race and the role of women. Its introduction discusses African responses to Stowe's novel over the last century and a half and its appendices include excerpts from popular slave narratives, Stowe's The Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin, and Frederick Douglass's response to Stowe's model of black martyrdom.

This comprehensive anthology presents cogent, provocative articles from differing political perspectives on major issues in postwar America. In addition to articles by leading historians, the editors have assembled first-person accounts of various issues by those who have contributed to the shaping of America's rich history. The sixth edition has been extensively revised to incorporate new documents and the most up-to date articles, including articles concerning such recent events as the September 11th attacks.