From the Publisher
"[A] powerful examination of five enslaved individuals and their presidential owners. . . . In a thoroughly researched and reasoned account, Davis exposes the intricacies of this impossibly tangled web." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"The premise of this work is unique, and Davis has a very readable storytelling style. . . . An important and timely corrective." —Kirkus Reviews
"By exploring the humanity of people held in bondage by early American presidents, Kenneth C. Davis once again turns American mythology into history. Read the book and be grateful." —Marcus Rediker, author of The Slave Ship: A Human History
“The young woman was enslaved, but also privileged. She was part of the household of the nation's first president. This powerful book tells her story, and others, which are surprising and have been unknown to most of us. They will give you insights into our American heritage that you may not have considered before. I hope In the Shadow of Liberty will be widely read. It is important and timely." —Joy Hakim, author of A History of US (Oxford University Press)
"This well-researched book offers a chronological history of slavery in America and features five enslaved people and the four U.S. presidents who owned them.... A valuable, broad perspective on slavery." —Booklist, starred review
"Compulsively readable. . . . A must-have selection." —School Library Journal, starred review
"Davis’s solid research. . . accessible prose, and determination to make these stories known give young readers an important alternative to textbook representations of colonial life." —The Horn Book
"Davis' newest book is fascinating." —Kids' Home Library
JANUARY 2017 - AudioFile
Narrator and author Kenneth Davis brings to life five historical figures who lived in the shadow of America’s Founding Fathers due to the color of their skin. With a full cast of talented narrators, listeners hear the deep emotion in individual stories that emphasize the irony of the colonists seeking freedom while keeping others enslaved. Quotes from the Founding Fathers, when expressed against the backdrop of slavery in early America, reveal this same irony, and a timeline of facts shows the deep inequality that existed not only during the founding of the nation but also for decades afterward. Using both primary and secondary sources, Davis creates a narrative that offers personal accounts of the lives often forgotten in conventional history lessons. M.D. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2016-06-01
Known for his Don't Know Much About… series, Davis here focuses on the lives of five individuals who were enslaved to some of the most important proponents of American liberty; "Only then can we really understand and possibly move past the stain of a racist past that still haunts America." Davis begins by discussing the inherent contradictions of the founders' fight for liberty, then turns to his subjects. Billy Lee was purchased by George Washington as a teenager and served as his manservant until Washington took office. Ona Judge, a maid to Martha Washington, escaped while Washington was president. Isaac Granger spent a significant portion of his days at Monticello, the property of Thomas Jefferson. Paul Jennings, enslaved by President James Madison, was part of the White House staff that fled Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812. And Alfred Jackson was enslaved to President Andrew Jackson and remained at the Hermitage, telling stories about the man who had owned him until the end of his life. The premise of this work is unique, and Davis has a very readable storytelling style. In addition to the selected individual stories, he provides historical context, including information about other enslaved people connected to the four presidents. An important and timely corrective. (timelines, source notes, bibliography, index). (Nonfiction. 10-14)
