Breaking the Chains

“Invaluable history.” –Alice Walker

“Katz masterfully steers the reader step by step through the astonishing forms of resistance, both active and passive… . this powerful and authentic collection will be welcomed by those seeking to reclaim the truth behind their heritage.” –Publishers Weekly

“[Breaking the Chains] will force many readers to reexamine their assumptions about American history….Young adults will be fascinated and better informed for having experienced this book.” –School Library Journal, starred review

“He wrote about heroic black women, slave rebellions and antislavery movements when discussing such matters was dangerous and seen as unpatriotic,” –Jesse Weaver Shipley, professor of African and African American Studies and Oratory at Dartmouth College

“Using documented evidence from slaves and former slaves, Katz contradicts the oft-repeated contention that African-Americans were satisfied with their lot and did little to free themselves. The European slave trade began the day Columbus landed. Though evidence was often suppressed, the tradition of resistance can claim equal antiquity, as Katz has shown briefly in other books, notably Black Indians: A Hidden Heritage (1986). Here, using primary sources and direct quotes, he not only describes in detail the violent rebellions–Nat Turner’s, Gabriel Prosser’s, Denmark Vesey’s, the 150-some that happened at sea–but also explores quieter methods of resistance and escape; how black slaves presented deceptively content faces while using family ties, religion, coded folk-tales and a sense of community to keep the hope of freedom alive. He shows that strong family values and education were prized, then describes the role black men and women played in the skilled trades, in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and in the Abolition movement. As usual, the author’s narrative is clear, even-toned, logically structured, and neither dry nor lurid. A significant contribution to American history. Bibliography; index; illustrated with historical photos, engravings, etc.”
–Kirkus Reviews

“A major contribution, particularly valuable because the subject has been overlooked.” –John Hope Franklin

William Loren Katz (1927-2019)

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Greenwich Village, William Loren Katz came from a progressive family deeply committed to social justice. Following his service in World War II, he utilized the GI Bill to attend college and subsequently embarked on a long career as a teacher in New York.

Katz authored over 40 books, many of which were aimed at younger readers. His extensive work focused on illuminating the often-unacknowledged contributions of Black and Indigenous peoples throughout history. Through his scholarly research and educational outreach, he played a significant role in reshaping social studies curricula nationwide. He advocated for the inclusion of minority and women’s histories as integral components of American history courses, rather than treating them as separate fields of study.

In one of his most recognized works, Black Indians, Katz reflected on his approach to history: “I have been humbled by the awesome task of rejecting bias. I have never sought bland neutrality and have consoled myself that unbiased history has yet to be written.”

Robin D. G. Kelley

Robin D. G. Kelley is a Distinguished Professor and holds the Gary B. Nash Endowed Chair in U.S. History at UCLA. He is the author of numerous books, including Africa Speaks, America Answers: Modern Jazz in Revolutionary Times and Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original.

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