Brief Description
The Ohio River once symbolized the passage of blacks from slavery to freedom along the underground railroad. Hence, they frequently referred to it as the "River Jordan". Yet in the urban centers along the river's shores, blacks faced racial hostility. Here Joe Trotter examines African American life in the Ohio Valley cities Evansville, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh, from the arrival of the first blacks to the Civil Rights movement. 21 photos. 5 maps.
Learn More about the Book
Since the nineteenth century, the Ohio River has represented a great divide for African Americans. It marked the passage to freedom along the underground railroad, and during the Industrial age it was a boundary between the Jim Crow South and the urban North. Consequently, the Ohio became known as the "River Jordan, " symbolizing the path to the promised land. Beginning with the arrival of the first blacks in the Ohio Valley, Trotter traces the development of African American urban centers through the civil rights movement. River Jordan broadens our understanding of the black experience in the United States and illuminates the impact of the Ohio River in the context of the larger American story.
Review Quotes
1.
"Presents a comprehensive overview of African-American urban life from colonial days to about 1960." -- "American Historical Review"
2.
"The Ohio River Valley traditionally has held a major symbolic significance for African Americans as the cultural and geographic line of demarcation between slavery and freedom, oppression and opportunity, despair and hope. Trotter searches for regional themes of the black experience in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Evansville." -- "Choice"
3.
"By illuminating the connections among racism, deindustrialization, and the continuing transformation of rural southern blacks into new urban workers, Trotter contributes significantly to our understanding of the contemporary urban crisis." -- "Henry L. Taylor, SUNY Buffalo"
4.
"Summarizes most of the existing scholarship on four African American cities: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Evansville." -- "Indiana Magazine of History"
5.
"Covers substantial intellectual territory.... Represents a novel and creative approach to black urban history. It provides an important model for future scholars." -- "Journal of American History"
6.
"Covers substantial intellectual territory." -- "Journal of American History"
7.
"In a tightly crafted synthesis of African American history in the Ohio Valley, Joe Trotter examines black life in four important urban communities: Cincinnati, Evansville, Louisville, and Pittsburgh." -- "Journal of Appalachian Studies"
8.
"Synthesizes the scholarship of the past two decades that has examined blacks who lived in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Evansville." -- "Journal of Illinois History"
9.
"A wide-ranging work of synthesis, covering such themes as the migration of rural southern blacks, the participation of blacks in the urban political economy and their role in the struggle for justice." -- "Northwest Ohio Quarterly"
10.
"Illuminates the impact of the Ohio River in the context of the larger American story." -- "Now & Then"
11.
"Successfully synthesizes the work on the urban life of African Americans.... An excellent book." -- "Ohio History"
12.
"As a general study of black urban life and with particular important insights into the complexity of the Ohio Valley region, River Jordan is essential reading." -- "Ohio Valley History"
13.
"Contributes greatly to our understanding of urban problems." -- "Pennsylvania History"
14.
"Presents a comprehensive overview of African-American urban life from colonial days to about 1960." -- American Historical Review
15.
"The Ohio River Valley traditionally has held a major symbolic significance for African Americans as the cultural and geographic line of demarcation between slavery and freedom, oppression and opportunity, despair and hope. Trotter searches for regional themes of the black experience in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Evansville." -- Choice
16.
"By illuminating the connections among racism, deindustrialization, and the continuing transformation of rural southern blacks into new urban workers, Trotter contributes significantly to our understanding of the contemporary urban crisis." -- Henry L. Taylor, SUNY Buffalo
17.
"Summarizes most of the existing scholarship on four African American cities: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Evansville." -- Indiana Magazine of History
18.
"Covers substantial intellectual territory.... Represents a novel and creative approach to black urban history. It provides an important model for future scholars." -- Journal of American History
19.
"Covers substantial intellectual territory." -- Journal of American History
20.
"In a tightly crafted synthesis of African American history in the Ohio Valley, Joe Trotter examines black life in four important urban communities: Cincinnati, Evansville, Louisville, and Pittsburgh." -- Journal of Appalachian Studies
21.
"Synthesizes the scholarship of the past two decades that has examined blacks who lived in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Evansville." -- Journal of Illinois History
22.
"A wide-ranging work of synthesis, covering such themes as the migration of rural southern blacks, the participation of blacks in the urban political economy and their role in the struggle for justice." -- Northwest Ohio Quarterly
23.
"Illuminates the impact of the Ohio River in the context of the larger American story." -- Now & Then
24.
"Successfully synthesizes the work on the urban life of African Americans.... An excellent book." -- Ohio History
25.
"As a general study of black urban life and with particular important insights into the complexity of the Ohio Valley region, River Jordan is essential reading." -- Ohio Valley History
26.
"Contributes greatly to our understanding of urban problems." -- Pennsylvania History
