This book in the Blacks in the New World Series tells the story of the Freedman's Savings Bank without mentioning its current state. The author, Carl R. Osthaus, recounts the bank's history from its establishment in 1865 to its eventual failure in 1874, focusing on its role in the social and economic history of African Americans during the Reconstruction era.Through meticulous research, Osthaus sheds light on the bank's operations, its clients, and the larger social and political context in which it operated. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of African American banking and the challenges faced by newly freed slaves as they sought to gain economic independence after the Civil War.