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In the 1860s - as America waged civil war - several thousand African Americans sought greater freedom by emigrating to the fledgling nation of Liberia. While some argued that the new black republic represented disposal rather than emancipation - a few intrepid men set out to explore their African home. African-American Exploration in West Africa collects the travel diaries of James L. Sims - George L. Seymour - and Benjamin J. K. Anderson - who explored the territory that is now Liberia and Guinea between 1858 and 1874. These remarkable diaries reveal the wealth and beauty of Africa in striking descriptions of its geography - people - flora - and fauna. The dangers of the journeys surface - too-Seymour was attacked and later died of his wounds - and his companion - Levin Ash - was captured and sold into slavery again. Challenging the notion that there were no black explorers in Africa - these diaries provide unique perspectives on 19th-century Liberian life and life in the interior of the continent before it was radically changed by European colonialism....