Jones (history, University of Texas at Austin) has revised and updated her informative and inspiring study of the history of African American women from slavery to the present. The first edition, published in 1985, covered the lives of these women through their own words and a multitude of statistical evidence that substantiates her refutation of the many stereotypes concerning Black women. The revisions include an expanded bibliography and chapters updated from recent studies. One can feel her joy at being able to add a new final chapter to this book on the struggles and achievements of so many strong, intelligent women. In it she reminds the reader that the current First Lady, Michelle Robinson Obama, had great-grandparents born into slavery. As an educated, compassionate, confident woman, Michelle Obama represents the many unsung African American women who were determined to find a better life for their children and themselves. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)