Part I. The crucible of war and emancipation
Democracy of the dead: the roots of black politics in the aftermath of the civil war
Ballots, bullets, and blood: celebration and militancy in the postwar south
Part II. The struggle for interracial democracy
Dark days: black congressmen confront the culture of the postwar congress
The emancipatory vision of civil rights in America: black policy during reconstruction
"Color-line politics" and the coming of redemption
Part III. The changing of the guard
The politics of uncertainty: emigration and fusion in the new south
The last hurrah: the demise of black politics and the rise of the new order.