Higginson worked to abolish slavery, commanded the first black unit to fight for the Union, inspired the creation of Smith College, and edited Emily Dickinson’s poetry. Included here are
Higginson’s abolitionist pieces like ＂Why Back John Brown?,＂ anti-imperialist essays such as ＂Where Liberty is Not, There is My Country,＂ women’s rights articles like ＂Ought Women to Learn the
Alphabet?＂, and pieces on nature, including ＂Water Lilies.＂ Also in the collection are essays on Sappho, Longfellow, Dickinson, and Henry James. An extensive introduction precedes the whole
volume and smaller introductions precede thematic sections. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
