Rex M. Ellis

This is a very cool overview of how the banjo, and by extension African American music in general, influenced the course of American musical history and continues to do so today. It also discusses the banjo in the context of emancipation and the Civil War, touches on the troublesome history of the banjo's involvement in racist minstrel shows and describes the transition towards jazz and blues in the 20th century. It's good to have a book on the shelf that can help young readers to see part of the story of how extensively African Americans have shaped American culture. It's especially good for African American kids to have affirmation of their ancestors' importance to our culture.… (meer)