This collection of thirty-eight impressionist episodes describes a white man's friendship with a group of Ashanti tribespeople from the Gold Coast of Africa (the former British colony known today as Ghana), who in 1896 were put on display as living objects in a popular ethnographic exhibit in the Vienna Zoological Garden, then still located in Vienna's famous amusement park called Prater. The exhibit caused a veritable "Ashanti fever" as the show attracted five to six thousand visitors per day. Altenberg, barely disguised as Ashantee's autobiographical character Sir Peter, shows a genuine curiosity about the cultural Other and paints a critical picture of his Austrian contemporaries' prejudices, revealed as they were experienced by the Africans. In "Ashantee", beautiful, sensual, childlike, and wholesome African "paradise people" provide inspiration for the tormented civilised soul of the fin-de-siècle European. Eccentric coffeehouse writer Altenberg is famous for his unique telegram style. Critic Karl Kraus claimed, "One sentence by Peter Altenberg is equal to an entire Viennese novel". "Ashantee" introduces the reader to a little-known facet of vibrant Vienna around 1900. Combining cross-cultural sympathy with colonial stereotyping, the book has gained new popularity as current debates about the challenges of cultural coexistence in the global society have renewed interest in the literature about encounters between people of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In this edition, Peter Altenberg's literary text is illustrated with reprints of original drawings and photographs of Altenberg and the Ashanti in Vienna.

In 'History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880' volumes 1 and 2, George Washington Williams meticulously traces the history of African Americans in the United States, providing a comprehensive account of their experiences from the beginning of slavery to the Reconstruction era. Williams' writing style is earnest and informative, blending historical facts with personal reflections and highlighting the resilience of the African American community in the face of adversity. This book serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the complexities of race relations in America during a critical period of transformation. Williams' meticulous research and dedication to uncovering the truth behind the African American experience make this work a standout in the field of African American history. George Washington Williams, a pioneering African American historian and social activist, was driven by a desire to give a voice to the marginalized and advocate for justice and equality. His firsthand experiences with discrimination and oppression fueled his passion for documenting the history of African Americans and shedding light on their contributions to society. I highly recommend 'History of the Negro Race in America' to readers interested in delving into the rich and tumultuous history of African Americans in the United States, as well as those seeking a deeper understanding of the enduring impact of slavery and racism on American society.

Reproduction of the original: History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880 by George W. Williams