How does one explain the owning of slaves when the owner is a proponent of the freedom for all? Kenneth Davis presents well-known Americans who owned many slaves such as Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Andrew Jackson. Through in-depth research, diaries, and interviews, author Davis tells of five slave stories. These five black lives include Billy Lee, Oda Judge, Paul Jennings, Isaac Granger, and Alfred Jackson whose stories reveal their lives and how they endured the inhumane enslaved life. Integrated in their stories are appropriate historical information and photography. The well researched book concludes with Source notes, Bibliography, and Index. A powerful book reveals hidden information that historians neglected to tell!
304 pages 978-1627793117 Ages 11 and up
Recommended by: Cecile Wong, Children's Instructor and Research Specialist, Maryland USA
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Did you know that many of America’s Founding Fathers―who fought for liberty and justice for all―were slave owners?
Through the powerful stories of five enslaved people who were “owned” by four of our greatest presidents, this book helps set the record straight about the role slavery played in the founding of America. From Billy Lee, valet to George Washington, to Alfred Jackson, faithful servant of Andrew Jackson, these dramatic narratives explore our country’s great tragedy―that a nation “conceived in liberty” was also born in shackles.
These stories help us know the real people who were essential to the birth of this nation but traditionally have been left out of the history books. Their stories are true―and they should be heard.
This thoroughly-researched and documented book can be worked into multiple aspects of the common core curriculum.--from the publisher
