The editor provides explanatory notes and texts. The collection "Historical Backgrounds" contains an exceptionally rich collection of documents from the 17th and 18th centuries regarding settlers and slaves in the New World. The selected themes include: "Montaine on America," "The Situation of Suriname," "Observers of Slavery, 1654–1712," "After Orenko: Noble Africans in Europe," and "Knowledge of Slavery," creating a revealing context for the unusual history of Ben. Illustrations and maps are also included. The "Critique" begins with an overview of the reactions to Ben and Orenko, from distinguished and popular authors of her time to Sir Walter Scott and Virginia Woolf, among others. Current critical interpretations come from William C. Spengemann, Jane Spencer, Robert L. Chibka, Laura Brown, Charlotte Sussman, and Mary Beth Rose. A Chronology of Ben's life and a Selected Bibliography are also included.

Pages: 288, Year of Publication: 0108, Dimensions: 13.2x13.2cm