Slaves in the Family

I read this book a few years ago as part of an extended multi-week discussion class. I find myself repeatedly recommending it to people. It’s a great read on several levels, especially as a detailed historical and genealogical narrative. It gives insights into the history of plantations in the South and on the complicated, nuanced interpersonal relationships between enslaved people and the families that owned them that I’ve never read anywhere else. Absolutely fascinating and god-awful tragic. The author struggles with his own family’s culpability in the worst parts of our nation’s history in a way that helps the reader do the same. It’s not a quick read, but it’s worth it.

Book in good condition as described

This is a wonderful book. I learned much about so many things that it is too much to write about. However the pictures that you see in the had copy of this book are not in the kindle version. That was a disappointment to me.

Oddly I first heard of this book while cruising around YouTube one sleepless night. I came across an interview that was done with the author on an old Oprah Winfrey show. The authors family were multiple generations of slave owners in the Carolinas early in the founding of this country. The author went on a search to find his black ancestors since he was sure that his white family members would have had children with their slaves. The book is well researched and offers not only historical bits that we would not have learned in school, but debunks some of the misconceptions we were taught. Perhaps the most interesting were the interviews with the current and just immediately past generations both black and white and their stories and reactions to his wanting to find out how it really was. Very interesting in understanding where each "side" was coming from. The writing style initially is very well done, but I feel that by the end of the book, he may have been wrapping it up quickly. Its worth reading.

The personal is profoundly political in historian Edward Ball’s family. A riveting read. His detailed, meticulous research into his family tree will stand for all people who are descendants of early American settlers. Myths and lacunae slip to the ground when he asks basic questions. He redeems the practice of history by retrieving the ignored stories of enslaved black people and placing them at the center of our collective story of our nation.

The author pulls the reader right into his life and his experiences uncovering the facts about his ancestors in the deep south. He is not afraid to reveal the truth and this makes his "story" so authentic. Loved it!

This book was recommended to me by a historian. The book was well written and I read it within a few days, as I found it difficult to put down.Most importantly, I learned a great deal.

Great book but the FSG classic ebook issue doesn't include the photographs otherwise I would give it 5 stars. I feel cheated

Ce n’est pas de la littérature et un peu répétitif, mais livre courageux, instructif et facile à lire pour comprendre les temps de l’esclavage (la souffrance des esclaves et le profile des propriétaires de plantations) et ses conséquences sur les générations suivantes (descendants d’esclaves et de propriétaires de plantations)...

Absolutely outstanding book. I literally couldn't put it down. Ball does an exceptional job unearthing and researching painful parts of his family lore.