Outside in

"A distinguished group of 36 writers (for no pay or royalties), including community leaders as well as academic historians, has created Outside In: African-American History in Iowa, 1838-2000, a book certain to become the standard work on the African-American experience in Iowa. Each of the book's 20 chapters focuses on a particular aspect of that experience--legal and political rights, business and professional leardership, clubs and community organizations, churches and schools, and more--from Iowa's territorial days to the present. Hundreds of photographs (gathered from family albums and scrapbooks, as well as historical archives) accompany the text, which is documented with extensive references. A detailed index is also included. Three themes tie together the enormous amount of historical information contained in Outside In: *The struggle of black Iowans to claim their rights as citizens; *The pursuit of individual opportunity in Iowa's evolving economy over the years; and *The creation of community institutions to help families and individuals through good times and bad. Outside In provides the big picture and the details of this proud story of African-American initiative in Iowa, from the groundbreaking legal victories of pioneer Alexander Clark up through the present day political triumphs of Preston Daniels and LaMetta Wynn." --Dust Cover, Front flap.

Outside In is the result of a collective effort spanning five years. It is the first in-depth study of the black experience in Iowa in a half-century, and is expected to stand as the definitive work in its field for some time to come. While much of the book's contents recall hard-fought struggles against prejudice, discrimination, and violence. Outside In also points to proud traditions of understanding and cooperation among black and white Iowans, traditions that go back to before the Civil War and remain vital to this day. --Dust Cover, Back flap.