How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America
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- Author：Clint Smith
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Summary
Poet and contributor to The Atlantic Clint Smith’s revealing， contemporary portrait of America as a slave owning nation
Beginning in his own hometown of New Orleans， Clint Smith leads the reader through an unforgettable tour of monuments and landmarks-those that are honest about the past and those that are not-that offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has been central in shaping our nation's collective history， and ourselves。
It is the story of the Monticello Plantation in Virginia， the estate where Thomas Jefferson wrote letters espousing the urgent need for liberty while enslaving over 400 people on the premises。 It is the story of the Whitney Plantation， one of the only former plantations devoted to preserving the experience of the enslaved people whose lives and work sustained it。 It is the story of Angola Prison in Louisiana， a former plantation named for the country from which most of its enslaved people arrived and which has since become one of the most gruesome maximum-security prisons in the world。 And it is the story of Blandford Cemetery， the final resting place of tens of thousands of Confederate soldiers。
In a deeply researched and transporting exploration of the legacy of slavery and its imprint on centuries of American history， How the Word Is Passed illustrates how some of our country's most essential stories are hidden in plain view-whether in places we might drive by on our way to work， holidays such as Juneteenth， or entire neighborhoods—like downtown Manhattan—on which the brutal history of the trade in enslaved men， women and children has been deeply imprinted。
Informed by scholarship and brought alive by the story of people living today， Clint Smith’s debut work of nonfiction is a landmark work of reflection and insight that offers a new understanding of the hopeful role that memory and history can play in understanding our country。
Beginning in his own hometown of New Orleans， Clint Smith leads the reader through an unforgettable tour of monuments and landmarks-those that are honest about the past and those that are not-that offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has been central in shaping our nation's collective history， and ourselves。
It is the story of the Monticello Plantation in Virginia， the estate where Thomas Jefferson wrote letters espousing the urgent need for liberty while enslaving over 400 people on the premises。 It is the story of the Whitney Plantation， one of the only former plantations devoted to preserving the experience of the enslaved people whose lives and work sustained it。 It is the story of Angola Prison in Louisiana， a former plantation named for the country from which most of its enslaved people arrived and which has since become one of the most gruesome maximum-security prisons in the world。 And it is the story of Blandford Cemetery， the final resting place of tens of thousands of Confederate soldiers。
In a deeply researched and transporting exploration of the legacy of slavery and its imprint on centuries of American history， How the Word Is Passed illustrates how some of our country's most essential stories are hidden in plain view-whether in places we might drive by on our way to work， holidays such as Juneteenth， or entire neighborhoods—like downtown Manhattan—on which the brutal history of the trade in enslaved men， women and children has been deeply imprinted。
Informed by scholarship and brought alive by the story of people living today， Clint Smith’s debut work of nonfiction is a landmark work of reflection and insight that offers a new understanding of the hopeful role that memory and history can play in understanding our country。
Reviews
Erin Shaw
，
This book is a masterpiece。 I learned a lot while reading it and recontextualized other bits of information I already had。 However， what I found most powerful and important in this writing is how central human beings are to the stories and histories told here。 It’s a powerful reminder that studying history in the abstract-memorizing facts， knowing policies， key dates， etc- is meaningless unless coupled with an understanding about how those policies impacted individuals or why certain stories con This book is a masterpiece。 I learned a lot while reading it and recontextualized other bits of information I already had。 However， what I found most powerful and important in this writing is how central human beings are to the stories and histories told here。 It’s a powerful reminder that studying history in the abstract-memorizing facts， knowing policies， key dates， etc- is meaningless unless coupled with an understanding about how those policies impacted individuals or why certain stories continue to be told。 It is as much a charge to learn more about the facts and history of our country as it is to tell more complete stories around the dinner table or in conversation with friends。 Tremendously grateful for this book。 。。。more
Jack Ebby
，
This was a fantastic book I highly recommend for people in any stage of change with regard to their grappling with systemic racism in America。 Smith gives the reader his unarguable thesis: that every element of contemporary American society is， in varying ways， directly impacted by or a vestige of slavery。 The magic of Smith’s writing is he coaxes you into his chosen backdrops for his research， interviews and on-site work， drives your emotional response toward reflection and empathy， and smacks This was a fantastic book I highly recommend for people in any stage of change with regard to their grappling with systemic racism in America。 Smith gives the reader his unarguable thesis: that every element of contemporary American society is， in varying ways， directly impacted by or a vestige of slavery。 The magic of Smith’s writing is he coaxes you into his chosen backdrops for his research， interviews and on-site work， drives your emotional response toward reflection and empathy， and smacks it all home with brilliantly weaved in poignant historical and contemporary context on the politics， economics and sociology。 Again what’s struck me most was how Smith truly makes this book approachable for anyone along the spectrum he lays out: those grappling with the history of slavery， those running from it， and those embracing it。 As someone who has long followed his work in The Atlantic and his poetry I was excited to read this ambitious book （pre ordered immediately） and what surprised me most was the genius of Smith’s prose that makes a critical account of American history extremely approachable ， yet also irrefutable。 I’d give this jawn a 6/5 if I could！ 。。。more
Jaylynny
，
If we， the literarily curious， the readers， those interested in history， if WE realize how much we don't know about how this country was built on the backs of enslaved people， no matter the side during the Civil War， then how can we ever move on？ I grew up with the bare minimum of education re the Civil War。 Enough to be arrogant about thinking we in the North were the Good Guys。 But this elegantly structured book kicks that all out from under me， US history， and the laughable pushback against C If we， the literarily curious， the readers， those interested in history， if WE realize how much we don't know about how this country was built on the backs of enslaved people， no matter the side during the Civil War， then how can we ever move on？ I grew up with the bare minimum of education re the Civil War。 Enough to be arrogant about thinking we in the North were the Good Guys。 But this elegantly structured book kicks that all out from under me， US history， and the laughable pushback against Critical Race Theory， which could also just be called : facts。 Shameful。 。。。more
Meredith
，
Pop Sugar Reading Challenge 2021- a book on a Black Lives Matter reading list; a book about a social justice issue; a book about forgetting; a book with fewer than 1000 reviewsHe asks an interesting question "How is slavery presented in various historical sites？" and then sets out to visit some sites and see。 I found the first three chapters on Monticello， Whitney Plantation， and Angola Prison the most interesting。 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge 2021- a book on a Black Lives Matter reading list; a book about a social justice issue; a book about forgetting; a book with fewer than 1000 reviewsHe asks an interesting question "How is slavery presented in various historical sites？" and then sets out to visit some sites and see。 I found the first three chapters on Monticello， Whitney Plantation， and Angola Prison the most interesting。 。。。more
Richard
，
I think How the Word is the first book I have come across on Goodreads with an overall rating of 4。8+。 It is justly deserved IMHO because Smith succeeded in integrating his many talents into an informative and engaging， if not at times moving， read。The extent to which the history of slavery is told or not told in the various places he visits is skillfully placed into context because of his extensive research into and timely quotes from a wide selection of writings on slavery and that particular I think How the Word is the first book I have come across on Goodreads with an overall rating of 4。8+。 It is justly deserved IMHO because Smith succeeded in integrating his many talents into an informative and engaging， if not at times moving， read。The extent to which the history of slavery is told or not told in the various places he visits is skillfully placed into context because of his extensive research into and timely quotes from a wide selection of writings on slavery and that particular place。 These include formal academic texts， essays and speeches by important men like DuBois and Frederick Douglass， and survivors and descendants of slaves who were interviewed during the 1930’s。 The contrast was striking between the Whitney Plantation where the sole focus is on disclosing its slavery related foundations， Angola Prison where its slave related past is minimally revealed only when its guide was asked directly about it， and the Blandford Cemetery where Confederate re-enactors attempt to rewrite the history of the Civil War so as to deny the oppression and violence that was endemic to slavery。 Having been raised in a northern city myself it was particularly illuminating for me to learn that one like New York was much more heavily involved with slavery in the years leading up to the Civil War than is commonly known。 And that the origin of some of its iconic sites like Central Park and the Statue of Liberty are very related to the city’s African American residents。 HtW is engaging for three reasons。 First， its style is narrative as opposed to academic。 Ie， the author avoids the use of scholarly jargon and complex， compound sentences。 Second， Smith’s background as a published poet shows in his flowing and highly descriptive prose。 In fact， there are occasional moments when his use of a metaphor to describe a scene becomes a bit much for my admittedly more pedestrian tastes。 Finally， the narration is in the first person。 Ie， he freely offers his thoughts about and emotional reactions to what he is writing about。 The quotes from former slaves and their descendants underscore this。 So does the brief Epilogue where he interviews his maternal grandfather and his paternal grandmother about their experiences with racism growing up in the mid 20th century。I think HtW is a book which will appeal to anyone wanting to learn more about slavery in the USA。 A warning， however: although it reads easily， it is not an easy read。 Some of the subject matter is quite intense。 。。。more
Lisa
，
[4。5] How did I not know that？ As a New Yorker， how did I not know about the destruction of Seneca Village in Central Park or the origin of the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of abolition？ I have tried to fill in the gaps of my whitewashed education， but the more I learn， the more I realize I don't know。 Smith takes the reader along with him on tours of several historical sites that are linked to the legacy of slavery。 He combines scholarship with journalism- chatting with other visitors， adding [4。5] How did I not know that？ As a New Yorker， how did I not know about the destruction of Seneca Village in Central Park or the origin of the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of abolition？ I have tried to fill in the gaps of my whitewashed education， but the more I learn， the more I realize I don't know。 Smith takes the reader along with him on tours of several historical sites that are linked to the legacy of slavery。 He combines scholarship with journalism- chatting with other visitors， adding his own observations and questions - providing a vivid history lesson that I won't forget。 。。。more
Bruce Thomas
，
This timely book addresses the tough subject of American slavery via a series of visits the author made to historical sites。 A native of New Orleans， Clint Smith is an excellent writer and tells of the history of slavery and the lasting impact in these seven locations。 Smith includes New York City to point out that slavery indeed was used there up to the 1840's！ Highly recommended。 This timely book addresses the tough subject of American slavery via a series of visits the author made to historical sites。 A native of New Orleans， Clint Smith is an excellent writer and tells of the history of slavery and the lasting impact in these seven locations。 Smith includes New York City to point out that slavery indeed was used there up to the 1840's！ Highly recommended。 。。。more
Megan
，
Required reading。 Clint Smith transports you to each historical site， and then through interviews and his own reflections examines an aspect of slavery and its legacy/memory。 It’s difficult to read more than one chapter at a time because you are left thinking so much after each。 He is a poet and it shows。 I know I will read this book again and again。 I cannot recommend this book enough。
Christina
，
This is a must read。
Kobie Pretorius
，
Brilliant。 Should be required reading。
Rebecca Meyer
，
This book is absolutely remarkable。 Clint Smith interweaves history and his personal reflections using such narrative and poetic language。 I know I will be using excerpts of this book when I teach my high school students for many years to come。
Julie Boyd
，
This is the best piece of Nonfiction I have read。 Clint Smith is an accomplished poet， journalist， teacher， and historian - all aspects of which come across in this thoughtful and beautifully written book。 It should be required reading for all humans。
Natalie Gunn
，
This should be required reading for everyone。 How the Word is Passed evokes some of the same perspective shifting and possibly reality shifting （for some） qualities as Jared Diamond’s Guns， Germs and Steel。 His work covers the broadness of slavery and the far flung impact of failing to teach this subject truthfully or adequately and his shared narratives， authentic voice， and illustrative writing convey how personal this history is to all of us。
Bella
，
A stunning piece of work。 Smith is a deeply gifted writer， and his collection is a reminder that unpacking the history I've been told （/sold） is a lifelong responsibility。 I hope everyone finds themselves a copy and leans into the knowledge， both old and new。p。s。 I challenge anyone to read his piece on Angola Prison and tell me sincerely that prisons "do good。" I long for a collective imagination that can see beyond them。 A stunning piece of work。 Smith is a deeply gifted writer， and his collection is a reminder that unpacking the history I've been told （/sold） is a lifelong responsibility。 I hope everyone finds themselves a copy and leans into the knowledge， both old and new。p。s。 I challenge anyone to read his piece on Angola Prison and tell me sincerely that prisons "do good。" I long for a collective imagination that can see beyond them。 。。。more
Stacey Boggs
，
If you are human， this book is for you！！ Read it as soon as possible and let’s talk 🙏
Christina
，
The only thing this book needs is more readers。
Doug Bradley
，
Excellent work that focuses on how slavery is the root of how America formed and continues to develop。 Mr。 Smith presents the issues in a clear and compelling manner as he deals with many aspects of slavery in America。 His research is through and well presented。 He also is honest about parts of this story that often are passed over or trivialized。
Terryl
，
Phenomenal read！
Roger DeBlanck
，
Toni Morrison once said in a 60 Minutes interview， “The past is infinite， while somehow the future feels finite。” Her sage observation enabled me finally to articulate more clearly why her books changed my life。 I had read Beloved for the first time in my teens and the rest of her books while in college， and what Morrison helped me realize is how unreliable my understanding was of the past。 My public school education had limited me， and I needed to learn so much more and likewise unlearn so much Toni Morrison once said in a 60 Minutes interview， “The past is infinite， while somehow the future feels finite。” Her sage observation enabled me finally to articulate more clearly why her books changed my life。 I had read Beloved for the first time in my teens and the rest of her books while in college， and what Morrison helped me realize is how unreliable my understanding was of the past。 My public school education had limited me， and I needed to learn so much more and likewise unlearn so much falsehood in order to no longer be an alien to the truth of the past’s infinite untold and marginalized stories， many of which Morrison’s novels gave me access to。Similar to what Morrison gave me， Clint Smith’s humble reckoning with the past further strengthens my belief that when we commit ourselves to lifelong seeking and learning， we are not rewriting or canceling history。 Rather， we do ourselves a great service by excavating the truth。 Smith’s superb book How the Word Is Passed blends memoir， journalism， and essential history lessons to offer us a chance to excavate and embrace the truth of the past alongside him。 With intense and immersive storytelling， he takes us with him on a journey through historical sites so that we might choose to examine with him what we can learn that gives us hope about someday fulfilling our country’s promise of extending equality， opportunity， and protection to every American。 I admire so much about Smith’s book from its candor and compassion to its fairness and open-mindedness to its research and poeticism。 What I admire most might be the essential patchwork of facts he assembles seamlessly alongside what he learned on his travels to substantiate the truth of the past and to expose the lies， distortions， and contradictions that prevent us from ever making substantial progress from a history that， indeed， still burdens， haunts， and directs us。 Whether Smith is pointing out truth or lies， his revelations leave us blistered and empowered。 How do I compose a review that expresses my appreciation of such an extraordinary book so plentiful and illuminating with truth？ How about I just reflect with you at each site Smith took me to。Monticello:Jefferson authored the eternal words of freedom and equality， and he helped establish a nation。 However， he chose to be a slaveholder and to perpetuate the institution of human exploitation in order to enrich himself。 Smith helps us reflect upon how Jefferson both “gave” and “stole，” and I agree with Smith that we must process both sides of Jefferson if we are to gain the full measure of who he was。 While believing himself benevolent， Jefferson relied on the physical and psychological tools of institutional slavery to ensure its continuance， and he chose to be an enslaver knowing how the depravity of his actions reflected hideously upon him。 Regardless of that fact， he deluded himself into the falsehood of race inferiority， and eventually he resigned to the conclusion that he could not end slavery and so he did nothing to eradicate it and chose instead to burden later generations to grapple with it。 In taking account of Jefferson， Smith reminds us how we need to be clear and honest about assessing the facts of history without allowing nostalgia to cloud what we want to hear and believe about the past。Whitney Plantation:I like Smith’s clear， exact， and accurate assessment of white supremacy: how those with power blame the victims they persecute instead of blaming themselves for the system they established and continue to maintain。 Smith also makes clear the sadist truth about slavery， racism， and white supremacy: how these three prongs of oppression are not about humanity and inhumanity， but rather about those obsessed with having power over others。 Regardless whether any slaveholder provided sufficient food， clothing， and shelter for those they enslaved， the argument of slavery’s benevolence is preposterous， negligent， irresponsible， harmful， and dangerous。 Smith makes clear that such an ignorant and arrogant argument is akin to saying if someone kidnaps your child and treats them well， the abduction itself is just a benign aspect of the crime。 Revealing the truth about slavery is not about assigning shame and guilt， but rather overcoming ignorance in order to embrace truth instead of holding on to fantasies that sanitize the past。Angola Prison:I like how Smith identifies the blatant contradictions at Angola’s museum: how it acknowledges the violence that defined the prison’s past only as a diversion to flip the narrative to congratulate the institution’s progress towards reaching its perceived current state of safety。 I admire how Smith addresses the “deflections” prevalent among history deniers who want only to push forth an agenda about us needing to move on from any past wrongs。 Smith is right about how our country tries “to smother conversations about how its past has shaped its present。” The conversations Smith wants to steer us towards are the ones that address the facts: how Angola was built upon a former plantation and how that reality， unfortunately， is not seen as a big deal because violence against Black people， he points out， is too often not regarded as worthy of caring about。 He cites the brilliant DuBois’s observations about how we must cease with trying to make history about arriving at a point where we declare no wrongs were done， or where we accept that the wrongs couldn’t be helped， or where we think that we must move away from any talk of remembering the evils committed。Blandford Cemetery:Smith’s visit to this Confederate burial grounds enabled him to show us how we can confront and dismantle the South’s contradictions and distortions of history。 He explains how sympathizers of the Confederacy frame Confederate soldiers as heroic and brave without mentioning their true motive and intent， which Smith accurately describes as “a cause that was violent， racist， and treasonous。” He next exposes Robert E。 Lee’s oftentimes sanitized image。 Smith quotes Lee’s ridiculous belief that slavery was “a greater evil to the white man than the black race。” To absolve himself of this evil， Lee simply resigned to thinking God needed to solve the problem， not him， so he never promoted racial equality， but rather actively worked to oppose it。Smith confronts the South’s nonsensical argument about how their fight was merely for the preservation of state rights。 Such a distortion was nothing more than a warrant to keep slavery intact。 Neo-Confederates dismiss the facts about slavery in order to focus only on their notion that Confederate soldiers were also American soldiers deserving of honor like any US veteran。 Their reasoning relies on the myth of the “Lost Cause，” which deems slavery as benign and beneficial and which declares that the memory and honor of the Confederacy rests solely upon， Smith explains， “family， honor， and heritage rather than what is wrong， a traitorous effort to extend and expand the bondage of Black people。”Smith makes clear how monuments of the Confederacy reflect nothing more than white supremacy and its violent implementation of Jim Crow laws and codes utilized to establish a caste system where Black people must know and accept their place as inferiors。 The Southern Poverty Law Center correctly identifies these Neo-Confederate groups， such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans， as committed to racism and white supremacy。 Smith helps us see their positions clearly when he quotes from his conversations with some of their members， one of whom states shamelessly how they desire “a godly， stable， tradition-based society with no ‘Northernisms’ attached， a hierarchical society， a majority European-derived country。” If their agenda is not disturbing and alarming enough， Smith shares with us the conversations he had with teachers and historians who revealed to him how these Neo-Confederates see children as “living monuments” to be ingrained and reared on the myth of state rights about the Civil War as a way to indoctrinate them into a life of white supremacy。 Even as Smith shares his experiences with us， he maintains his levelheadedness and offers an explanation for their racism。 He sees that because it’s their family and heritage， they resist truth， facts， evidence， and reality in order never to be “forced to confront the lies they have upheld。”Galveston Island:Smith’s witnessing of the programs and ceremonies for Juneteenth gave him a sense of liberation from his youth of having not known the encompassing depth and range of history so that he could locate the lies that attempt to falsify and sanitize the aftermath of emancipation—an aftermath whereby whites took no culpability for how their power and oppression caused the unbreakable conditions for countless Black people。 Rather than taking responsibility， whites blamed Blacks for their lack of opportunity and protection。 Fixing these lies and injustices requires education that teaches slavery in a way that we understand how the Blacks who suffered under the brutal institution of slavery had thriving cultures， communities， and nations before the Middle Passage。New York City:Smith offers us a history lesson that allows us to see how New York was still a slavery-entrenched city in the 19th Century where enslavement was essential to its white citizenry and where slavecatchers could seize Black people at any second and for any nefarious reason they desired。 Smith connects these perpetual fears of Blacks throughout history to the plague of police brutality today that makes Black people vulnerable to arrest or death at any second and for any trivial reason。 Gorée Island:Smith reviews for us the facts pertaining to the House of Slaves。 Although the number of enslaved Africans who went through that specific house in Senegal was probably not in the millions， what the house on Gorée Island symbolizes is vital for us to make sense of how white men plundered Africa for humans to enslave and how they defended their actions through their dehumanization of those they bought and sold。 In addition， these European colonizers encouraged tribal wars and supplied weaponry， so long as they attained the currency of their human merchandise。 Smith explains how Gorée gives us the opportunity to piece together the truth between the culpability of exploitation and colonization。 His experiences from Gorée reiterate for us how slavery must also be understood beyond its oppression and exploitation in order to see that Africa’s history did not begin with slavery。 It had thriving culture and heritage before colonization tried to erase them。 The faults of slavery lie entangled within the systems of capitalism and colonialism。I marked dozens of quotable passages throughout Smith’s extraordinary book， and the loveliness of his descriptive， poetical prose alongside his clear， sound examinations and reflections make for a humbling history lesson that is both personal and universal。 Smith， of course， expresses best his work’s vital purpose and message， which I hope everyone will heed: “When I think about the history of slavery and racism in this country， I think about how quick we are to espouse notions of progress without accounting for its uncertain and serpentine path。” Smith believes and I agree with him that it’s not enough to have honest places that capture and convey the past， especially when we know other places work actively to undermine the truth。 I hope Smith’s book will reach those who are already open-minded and seeking to learn more， and also I hope it reaches those who refuse to accept and embrace the truth of history because without efforts like Smith’s， they will remain buried in falsehoods。 。。。more
lisa
，
Harder to read than I thought it would be， especially the chapter where he goes to the Sons of the Confederacy rally。 The best part of the book was at the end where Clint Smith III interviewed his living grandparents about their memories of growing up。 I used to listen to the podcast he was on， Pod Save the People （I actually haven't been that interested in it since he left in 2020）， and I remember when he talked about interviewing his grandparents in a very intentional way， and how surprised he Harder to read than I thought it would be， especially the chapter where he goes to the Sons of the Confederacy rally。 The best part of the book was at the end where Clint Smith III interviewed his living grandparents about their memories of growing up。 I used to listen to the podcast he was on， Pod Save the People （I actually haven't been that interested in it since he left in 2020）， and I remember when he talked about interviewing his grandparents in a very intentional way， and how surprised he was at the things they remembered during the course of their interviews。 A great book， and well written。 。。。more
Bailey Hamilton
，
“This is the problem of the memory of slavery， that we all have these gaps。 The gaps。 Gaps that have to be filled。 I think that history is the story of the past， using all the available facts， and that nostalgia is a fantasy about the past using no facts & somewhere in between is a memory。” I loved this book so much。 I have a little bit of regret for not listening to it since Clint reads it and I think he has a great and engaging voice。 Never the less， I loved the entire thing。 Whitney Planation “This is the problem of the memory of slavery， that we all have these gaps。 The gaps。 Gaps that have to be filled。 I think that history is the story of the past， using all the available facts， and that nostalgia is a fantasy about the past using no facts & somewhere in between is a memory。” I loved this book so much。 I have a little bit of regret for not listening to it since Clint reads it and I think he has a great and engaging voice。 Never the less， I loved the entire thing。 Whitney Planation， Angola Prison & New York City chapters were my favorite。 Thankful for people who are committed to telling the whole truth about history。 。。。more
Hannah Mercer
，
A great， important work。 Beautifully written by poet Clint Smith， meticulously researched， and presented with humanity at its heart。 An astonishing achievement。
Jennifer
，
Perfection。 Dr。 Smith narrates the audio version and I can’t recommend it enough。
Alana "Loni"
，
This。 Book。 Y'all。Not even delving into content， it is so lyrical and literary。 This is the type of book that would surprise my students who think non-fiction is dry - and then they realize how artful narrative non-fiction can be。This book also balances so well between the personal and universality of the experiences within。 I already know I will be re-reading it as soon as possible， because the depths of knowledge contained within。Believe the hype， and read ASAP friends。（Also， in other news， GU This。 Book。 Y'all。Not even delving into content， it is so lyrical and literary。 This is the type of book that would surprise my students who think non-fiction is dry - and then they realize how artful narrative non-fiction can be。This book also balances so well between the personal and universality of the experiences within。 I already know I will be re-reading it as soon as possible， because the depths of knowledge contained within。Believe the hype， and read ASAP friends。（Also， in other news， GUIDED TOURS of active prisons is still the craziest thing I have ever read about） 。。。more
Jill
，
An excellent exploration of how slavery has been taught and remembered in our nation's collective history and how that has affected current race relations， as well as the tensions between history， memory， and nostalgia。 Highly recommend！ An excellent exploration of how slavery has been taught and remembered in our nation's collective history and how that has affected current race relations， as well as the tensions between history， memory， and nostalgia。 Highly recommend！ 。。。more
Sonja P。
，
Clint Smith is an amazing writer。 I listened to this on audio and was really just amazed by how he writes-how he weaves these specific locations’ history with broader ideas and personal ones。 There’s this but where he talks about how we all have to face our own history and deal with it-how we have to face the histories we have created or believe and see how they have created us and if they are true; which I will be thinking about for a while。
Graham Palmer
，
One of the best books I have read this year so far。 Smith manages to deftly weave the personal with the political， and the past with the present。 Through in-depth accounts of his visits to 8 sites associated with slavery （as well as a touching epilogue centered on his own family history）， he simultaneously tells the story of the heinous institution and its affects on every day people。 He interviews curators and guides， as well as ordinary visitors， to deliver a sense of how these sites frame wha One of the best books I have read this year so far。 Smith manages to deftly weave the personal with the political， and the past with the present。 Through in-depth accounts of his visits to 8 sites associated with slavery （as well as a touching epilogue centered on his own family history）， he simultaneously tells the story of the heinous institution and its affects on every day people。 He interviews curators and guides， as well as ordinary visitors， to deliver a sense of how these sites frame what happened on them and how that experience is still relevant today。 In some cases， it is relevant today because it is essentially still happening today， and Smiths hows this in wrenching detail。 The chapter on Angola， Louisiana's State Penitentiary， is one of the most haunting and disturbing pieces of writing I have ever read。 Smith describes how， in the museum entrance， there is currently a painting of modern-day slavery （black men working a field， overseen by a white woman on a horse）。 The passages get more and more haunting， describing the brutal conditions on Red Hat Block， the "deathbed" that prisoners （one of whom had a brother on death row） were forced to make for executions， and the prison rodeo that continues to this day， where prisoners risk life and limb for the crowd's entertainment。 Perhaps most disturbing is the story of Willie Francis， a 17-year-old black boy who was （likely wrongfully） convicted of murder and then subjected to a botched execution。 Because the prison guard and prisoner assisting him were drunk， the electric chair worked enough to torture， but not to kill， Willie。 Smith quotes Francis' haunting description of how it felt to be led to death， and ends the story with the devastating conclusion: Francis was successfully executed a year later， at the age of 18， after the Supreme Court overturned his appeal。 As is typical of his chapter on each site， Smith details both the history of Angola and the way that history is presented。 He gives the prison some credit for steps recently taken， but also details how the tour he received elides or straight-up ignores some of the most disturbing aspects of the prison's history。 There are more progressive sites， too， like the Whitney Plantation， where Smith shows how curators and guides are striving to tell the story of slavery in a way that illuminates the racism and lies that it was built on。 The entire thing is tied together with a narrative voice that makes the book un-put-downable， despite the heavy subject matter。 Highly recommend！ 。。。more
Laura
，
This book re-centers the lives of the formerly enslaved in ways that bring the stories alive in fresh ways。 You can definitely feel the author’s poetic talent in the beautiful writing。
Lynn Leschke
，
Just finished listening which was great to hear in Clint Smith's own poetic voice。 Now I need to read the hard copy！ So much to take in！ Just finished listening which was great to hear in Clint Smith's own poetic voice。 Now I need to read the hard copy！ So much to take in！ 。。。more
Yondalla
，