A political history of America's black reparations movement -- Myths of racial equality -- Who reaped the fruits of slavery? -- Roads not taken in the early years of the republic -- Alternatives to war and slavery -- Race and racism during the Civil War -- Rehearsals for freedom -- Radicals and rebels -- Seven mystic years (1866-1873) -- Sins of the sons and daughters -- Beyond Jim Crow -- Criticisms and responses -- A program of black reparations.