What do you think?
Rate this book
Inheriting the Trade: A Northern Family Confronts Its Legacy as the Largest Slave-Trading Dynasty in U.S. History
In 2001, at forty-seven, Thomas DeWolf was astounded to discover that he was related to the most successful slave-trading family in American history, responsible for transporting at least 10,000 Africans to the Americas. His infamous ancestor, U.S. senator James DeWolf of Bristol, Rhode Island, curried favor with President Thomas Jefferson to continue in the trade after it was outlawed. When James DeWolf died in 1837, he was the second-richest man in America.
When Katrina Browne, Thomas DeWolf's cousin, learned about their family's history, she resolved to confront it head-on, producing and directing a documentary feature film, Traces of the A Story from the Deep North. The film is an official selection of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
Inheriting the Trade is Tom DeWolf's powerful and disarmingly honest memoir of the journey in which ten family members retraced the steps of their ancestors and uncovered the hidden history of New England and the other northern states.
Their journey through the notorious Triangle Trade-from New England to West Africa to Cuba-proved life-altering, forcing DeWolf to face the horrors of slavery directly for the first time. It also inspired him to contend with the complicated legacy that continues to affect black and white Americans, Africans, and Cubans today.
Inheriting the Trade reveals that the North's involvement in slavery was as common as the South's. Not only were black people enslaved in the North for over two hundred years, but the vast majority of all slave trading in America was done by northerners. Remarkably, half of all North American voyages involved in the slave trade originated in Rhode Island, and all the northern states benefited.
With searing candor, DeWolf tackles both the internal and external challenges of his journey-writing frankly about feelings of shame, white male privilege, the complicity of churches, America's historic amnesia regarding slavery-and our nation's desperate need for healing. An urgent call for meaningful and honest dialogue, Inheriting the Trade illuminates a path toward a more hopeful future and provides a persuasive argument that the legacy of slavery isn't merely a southern issue but an enduring American one.
When Katrina Browne, Thomas DeWolf's cousin, learned about their family's history, she resolved to confront it head-on, producing and directing a documentary feature film, Traces of the A Story from the Deep North. The film is an official selection of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
Inheriting the Trade is Tom DeWolf's powerful and disarmingly honest memoir of the journey in which ten family members retraced the steps of their ancestors and uncovered the hidden history of New England and the other northern states.
Their journey through the notorious Triangle Trade-from New England to West Africa to Cuba-proved life-altering, forcing DeWolf to face the horrors of slavery directly for the first time. It also inspired him to contend with the complicated legacy that continues to affect black and white Americans, Africans, and Cubans today.
Inheriting the Trade reveals that the North's involvement in slavery was as common as the South's. Not only were black people enslaved in the North for over two hundred years, but the vast majority of all slave trading in America was done by northerners. Remarkably, half of all North American voyages involved in the slave trade originated in Rhode Island, and all the northern states benefited.
With searing candor, DeWolf tackles both the internal and external challenges of his journey-writing frankly about feelings of shame, white male privilege, the complicity of churches, America's historic amnesia regarding slavery-and our nation's desperate need for healing. An urgent call for meaningful and honest dialogue, Inheriting the Trade illuminates a path toward a more hopeful future and provides a persuasive argument that the legacy of slavery isn't merely a southern issue but an enduring American one.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
21 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Norman DeWolf
5 books59 followersThomas Norman DeWolf is an author, public speaker and trainer, and serves as Program Co-Manager of Coming to the Table. He is a certified trainer for Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Changing Your Life
Tom's most recent book, The Little Book of Racial Healing , co-authored with Jodie Geddes, was published by Skyhorse in January 2019. Ruth King calls it a "...rare jewel of practical wisdom shows us how to embody racial healing in truth and kinship. It reads with such ease and affinity that you will want to treasure it and share it with everyone you know."
Tom is co-author, with Sharon Leslie Morgan of Gather at the Table , published by Beacon Press in October 2012. Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate calls it, "an honest exploration into the deep social wounds left by racism, violence, and injustice."
Tom's first book is Inheriting the Trade (Beacon Press, 2008). Harry Smith, anchor of The Early Show on CBS said, "I cannot recommend it highly enough. The book is terrific."
To schedule Tom for a speaking engagement at your university, college, conference or other event, please click here
Tom's most recent book, The Little Book of Racial Healing , co-authored with Jodie Geddes, was published by Skyhorse in January 2019. Ruth King calls it a "...rare jewel of practical wisdom shows us how to embody racial healing in truth and kinship. It reads with such ease and affinity that you will want to treasure it and share it with everyone you know."
Tom is co-author, with Sharon Leslie Morgan of Gather at the Table , published by Beacon Press in October 2012. Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate calls it, "an honest exploration into the deep social wounds left by racism, violence, and injustice."
Tom's first book is Inheriting the Trade (Beacon Press, 2008). Harry Smith, anchor of The Early Show on CBS said, "I cannot recommend it highly enough. The book is terrific."
To schedule Tom for a speaking engagement at your university, college, conference or other event, please click here
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
December 2, 2009
This book really got me thinking about slavery and its effects worldwide. It made me sad and angry and frustrated. Some of my thoughts:
1. We all know about slavery in the United States. We all know a bit about the slave trade and about how an uncountable number of Africans died on the way to America. We know that rum is involved somewhere in there. What we aren't told is the impact the slave trade had on Africa. DeWolf doesn't explicitly make the connection, but I did. I have often wondered why Africa is in the state it's in. Why are people fighting each other? Why are there so many famines and so much poverty? Why does Africa seem so broken? From the stats in this book, I conclude that the loss of millions of the youngest and strongest people from the continent over hundreds of years couldn't help but set back the region.
2. Human beings like cheap goods and services. Until the late 19th Century, slavery was the way labor was obtained cheaply. In some parts of the world, slavery is still a reality. We still demand cheap goods and services. Is importing these goods from sweatshops in Third World countries or using illegal immigrant laborers really that much better than slavery?
3. As a Christian, I am absolutely appalled that people who participated in the slave trade called themselves "Christians". Where's the Golden Rule? Where's loving your neighbor as yourself? Where's the compassion for the poor and downtrodden? How could Christians (or any human being) not see the Africans as human beings? In fact, how can any human deny the humanity of other humans, regardless of race, color or creed?
4. I'm not sure that we can ever cross the gulf that divides the races in this country. I was raised believing that all of us are the same under the skin. I was raised believing that God loves us all equally. As I grow older, I'm stunned and saddened that there are so many who still don't believe those things. I dream Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream that one day we will be judged by the content of our character, not the color of our skin.
I really hope I don't create a giant controversy with this review. I just couldn't write about this book without talking about the feelings and ideas it stirred up in me. It's hard talking about race in this country without it leading to hard feelings on both sides. It's hard to say the right things and often there is no right thing to say. I think that's the main point of DeWolf's book.
I sincerely apologize if I've offended anyone.
1. We all know about slavery in the United States. We all know a bit about the slave trade and about how an uncountable number of Africans died on the way to America. We know that rum is involved somewhere in there. What we aren't told is the impact the slave trade had on Africa. DeWolf doesn't explicitly make the connection, but I did. I have often wondered why Africa is in the state it's in. Why are people fighting each other? Why are there so many famines and so much poverty? Why does Africa seem so broken? From the stats in this book, I conclude that the loss of millions of the youngest and strongest people from the continent over hundreds of years couldn't help but set back the region.
2. Human beings like cheap goods and services. Until the late 19th Century, slavery was the way labor was obtained cheaply. In some parts of the world, slavery is still a reality. We still demand cheap goods and services. Is importing these goods from sweatshops in Third World countries or using illegal immigrant laborers really that much better than slavery?
3. As a Christian, I am absolutely appalled that people who participated in the slave trade called themselves "Christians". Where's the Golden Rule? Where's loving your neighbor as yourself? Where's the compassion for the poor and downtrodden? How could Christians (or any human being) not see the Africans as human beings? In fact, how can any human deny the humanity of other humans, regardless of race, color or creed?
4. I'm not sure that we can ever cross the gulf that divides the races in this country. I was raised believing that all of us are the same under the skin. I was raised believing that God loves us all equally. As I grow older, I'm stunned and saddened that there are so many who still don't believe those things. I dream Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream that one day we will be judged by the content of our character, not the color of our skin.
I really hope I don't create a giant controversy with this review. I just couldn't write about this book without talking about the feelings and ideas it stirred up in me. It's hard talking about race in this country without it leading to hard feelings on both sides. It's hard to say the right things and often there is no right thing to say. I think that's the main point of DeWolf's book.
I sincerely apologize if I've offended anyone.
February 16, 2009
Wow. This is an amazing story that I first learned about watching the documentary entitled "Traces of the Trade" which was brought to my attention because Roger Miller from the seminar post-punk band "Mission of Burma" composed the score for the film! And I learned about the documentary because it begins in a neighboring town to where I live. It's hard to believe that people who lived in Bristol, RI were involved with the slave trade but they were and this is their story. I would suggest reading or listening to this story to anyone but especially adults who feel as I do that the United States history we were taught in public schools over 25 years ago is rather incomplete. Yes, we learned about the Triangle Trade but did we know that the ship owners were from the North. I feel that we always associate slaves and slavery in this country with being a Southern problem. This book will open your eyes to the reality of the past.
July 9, 2021
I saw the documentary before I read the book, so I guess it was easy to compare them and like the movie over the book. Subject was fascinating. Writing was ok. My review is between a 3 and a 4 star.
July 11, 2011
I gave it one star because the legacy of slavery and the continuing privileges enjoyed by whites and males in the United States are important issues deserving of serious examination. That said, this was one poorly written book. The main point seemed to be that all white people are guilty of some responsibility for slavery and ought to apologize to blacks. There could be a lot of debate on that point, but most of the serious issues are rendered trivial in this book. On the one hand, the author seems to be arguing that everyone has to stand up and take responsibility. On the other hand, he is careful to distance himself from his relatives by pointing out, on multiple occasions, that he was descended from a non-slave-owning ancestor (unlike his cousins) and that he didn't get an Ivy League education, as his cousins did. So, I'm guilty, but not as guilty as them! Late in the book, it suddenly veers off into a discussion of the author's own sex scandal, which apparently involved groping multiple women. It is presented so vaguely that you wonder why he is telling you this, and you wonder whether he is even taking resposibility for it.
Weird and disappointing. Let's hope the proceeds went to charity, as it would be unseemly for the descendants of slave owners to still be cashing in on the slave trade.
Weird and disappointing. Let's hope the proceeds went to charity, as it would be unseemly for the descendants of slave owners to still be cashing in on the slave trade.
December 28, 2012
'Inheriting the Trade' is the second book that I've read by author Thomas DeWolf. I was not familiar with this one when I read his latest (2012) 'Gather at the Table', co-written with Sharon Morgan. It takes a lot of courage to show yourself honestly and exposing all of your faults and blemishes. But I think that it takes those kind of steps to allow the reader to freely admit their own shortcomings and those of their ancestors.
Thomas' journey with his family is sometimes painful, physically as well as emotionally uncomfortable, but always enlightening to the reader. We're allowed to come along on the trip that he and his cousins take visiting places associated with their slave trading ancestors, places like Rhode Island, Ghana and Cuba. Along the way, we get to meet many people that offer glimpses of their own struggles with racism as well as some reminders of what it must have been like for both slaves and slave traders.
While I will never be able to make a trip like Mr. DeWolf's family did, I try to make the internal journeys to better myself and hope to share what I learn with others. I've been recommending 'Gather at the Table' to all of my friends and family, as I will do with this one as well. Thank you Thomas for sharing your story, your family, your adventure, your faults, and your talent for writing such an excellent book.
Thomas' journey with his family is sometimes painful, physically as well as emotionally uncomfortable, but always enlightening to the reader. We're allowed to come along on the trip that he and his cousins take visiting places associated with their slave trading ancestors, places like Rhode Island, Ghana and Cuba. Along the way, we get to meet many people that offer glimpses of their own struggles with racism as well as some reminders of what it must have been like for both slaves and slave traders.
While I will never be able to make a trip like Mr. DeWolf's family did, I try to make the internal journeys to better myself and hope to share what I learn with others. I've been recommending 'Gather at the Table' to all of my friends and family, as I will do with this one as well. Thank you Thomas for sharing your story, your family, your adventure, your faults, and your talent for writing such an excellent book.
March 28, 2009
A strange book but very readable and interesting. It is partly a story of the author's journey with 9 other DeWolf descendants to trace the history of their slave trading ancestors and try to come to terms with the shame of having come from such a legacy. The group spends time in Bristol Rhode Island, the center of Northern slave trading, Ghana, a major source of DeWolf slaves, and Cuba, the site of DeWolf plantations. This journey was also being filmed for a documentary called "Traces of the Trade," that I would like to see. The book rambles a bit since it reflects one person's reaction to the journey. The author is probably correct that such a journey involves a huge psychological component and involves issues not only of racism, but also issues of class and privilege. It made my think about my own privileged status in society and provided some good insights into beginning to address racism in the US today.
The book also documents this modern day DeWolf's personal psychological history dealing with racism and sexism. I must say that I was not particularly interested in today's Mr DeWolf and his problems and wish he had stuck to the larger topic.
The book also documents this modern day DeWolf's personal psychological history dealing with racism and sexism. I must say that I was not particularly interested in today's Mr DeWolf and his problems and wish he had stuck to the larger topic.
Read
October 26, 2010It would be a bit presumptuous to rate my own book so I'll leave that to others. I'm excited to learn that United Methodist Women (800,000 members strong) has selected Inheriting the Trade as one of their featured books for their 2011 reading program. Continued interest has resulted in a 2nd printing of the book. Read more at http://inheritingthetrade.com/blog/?p....
January 7, 2009
Most blacks know their history, but many whites may know and not want to talk about it, but not this author, Thomas Norman Dewolf.
He shows how blacks and whites view situations like a glass of water. It is half full or half empty?
He shows how blacks and whites view situations like a glass of water. It is half full or half empty?
February 14, 2021
Who would have thought that a family from Bristol, R. I. would be the largest US slave traders over the course of three generations, continuing their trading after both England and the USA outlawed slave trading, but not slavery.
This is the story of ten distant cousins, nine descendants of the slave trading De Wolfs and one descendant of a non-slave trading De Wolf ancestor. They gather in Bristol, R.I. to embark on a trip following the route of the triangle trade, Bristol, Ghana, Cuba, Bristol, as they try to come to grips with what their ancestors did, and how they might begin atone for the misdeeds. I was especially interested in what I learned about the history of slavery in Cuba, and how present day Cuba sees or doesn’t see race.
As a family genealogist/historian I was interested in this story as I have learned that I have slave owning ancestors - Southern and Northern U S, and Cuban.
What made the book especially meaningful and hopefully useful to me is the concluding “Afterword” which lays out how individuals and institutions can constructively deal with this awful legacy. Until we do there will not be equality and justice for all in our nation and world.
This is the story of ten distant cousins, nine descendants of the slave trading De Wolfs and one descendant of a non-slave trading De Wolf ancestor. They gather in Bristol, R.I. to embark on a trip following the route of the triangle trade, Bristol, Ghana, Cuba, Bristol, as they try to come to grips with what their ancestors did, and how they might begin atone for the misdeeds. I was especially interested in what I learned about the history of slavery in Cuba, and how present day Cuba sees or doesn’t see race.
As a family genealogist/historian I was interested in this story as I have learned that I have slave owning ancestors - Southern and Northern U S, and Cuban.
What made the book especially meaningful and hopefully useful to me is the concluding “Afterword” which lays out how individuals and institutions can constructively deal with this awful legacy. Until we do there will not be equality and justice for all in our nation and world.
January 16, 2021
This is a fascinating story of one family’s journey to retrace the trade routes, describing the people they met with and learned from, and the emotional impact the journey had on each of them, especially Tom, the narrator.
At a deeper level, “Inheriting the Trade” is a brave undertaking to make public what could have remained a private shame. It deals with issues those of us who are privileged prefer to avoid, as Tom says, preferring to “bury the wound like a leaky sewer pipe under the house hoping no one will notice – rather than commit to the hard work of repair.”
Tom’s voice is honest and clear, as he weaves together the legacy of slavery with an account of his own personal failings and the pain he inflicted on others.
Priest cousin Ledlie said, “We’re all vulnerable. We all do hypocritical things.” Indeed. Tom’s book invites us to commit to the hard work of repair, which must begin with facing the truth, especially the parts of the truth we are most ashamed of.
At a deeper level, “Inheriting the Trade” is a brave undertaking to make public what could have remained a private shame. It deals with issues those of us who are privileged prefer to avoid, as Tom says, preferring to “bury the wound like a leaky sewer pipe under the house hoping no one will notice – rather than commit to the hard work of repair.”
Tom’s voice is honest and clear, as he weaves together the legacy of slavery with an account of his own personal failings and the pain he inflicted on others.
Priest cousin Ledlie said, “We’re all vulnerable. We all do hypocritical things.” Indeed. Tom’s book invites us to commit to the hard work of repair, which must begin with facing the truth, especially the parts of the truth we are most ashamed of.
January 26, 2019
Anybody who thinks that we live in a racist society, or anybody who thinks racism isn't a problem in this society and any woman who thinks that women understand racism better than men-should read this book. I like that the author asked all the questions but didn't pretend to have all the answers. It is
a non-fiction book about a family from New England that discovers that their ancestors were one of the biggest slave trading companies in America and kept on dealing in slaves after it was illegal. They discover that one didn't have to be a slave owner or a slave trader to be complicit in, or benefit from slavery. White immigrants that came here after the Civil War have benefitted from slavery. If you don't understand systemic racism or sexism, or white privilege, this might be a good first step for you.
a non-fiction book about a family from New England that discovers that their ancestors were one of the biggest slave trading companies in America and kept on dealing in slaves after it was illegal. They discover that one didn't have to be a slave owner or a slave trader to be complicit in, or benefit from slavery. White immigrants that came here after the Civil War have benefitted from slavery. If you don't understand systemic racism or sexism, or white privilege, this might be a good first step for you.
June 4, 2022
Excellent. I would absolutely recommend this book. Thomas DeWolf's accounting of his family struggle with their legacy as the descendants of the largest slave trader in the colonies. As his distant cousin works on a documentary, the group of 10 travel from Rhode Island, to West Africa, to Cuba and back to Rhode Island. They meet descendants of the slavery and listen to their views, hear the workings of the trade in West Africa, and Cuba, and try to process it as they are being filmed. As he processes what he learns, so does the reader. This is an important book. It's a necessary book. It is an enlightening study that may, I hope, help the reader understand what can make us a stronger nation.
March 19, 2023
Did you think slavery only occurred in the South and it was primarily about cotton plantations? Did you know some of the founding fathers gave exemptions to owning slaves for their friends? Did you know the majority of slave traders were based in Rhode Island? If not, you are like the author who did not realize his esteemed family’s part in the slave trade until he was in his forties. Thomas was approached by a cousin making a documentary (Traces of the Trade) about these secrets. Family became divided with some supporting the project and others wanting the past to remain in the past. The book tells of the journey to get the documentary and thus the story of the DeWolf family and by extension the history of the town of Bristol, RI known.
September 29, 2023
A group of distant cousins travel to Rhode Island, Ghana, and Cuba to learn more and make a documentary film about their ancestors' activities in the slave trade.
This examination of slavery and the privilege it bestowed on generations is chronicled by a cousin not descended from slave traders but the only one bearing the family name. Interestingly, all the others, though generations removed, were still highly privileged, the author not so much but politically active in Oregon until sidelined by "me, too" accusations which seem to have humbled him and contributed to his understanding of the complex people these ancestors were and how even he has been the beneficiary of white male privilege. Searing about the trade and its repercussions. He comes away arguing for reparations.
This examination of slavery and the privilege it bestowed on generations is chronicled by a cousin not descended from slave traders but the only one bearing the family name. Interestingly, all the others, though generations removed, were still highly privileged, the author not so much but politically active in Oregon until sidelined by "me, too" accusations which seem to have humbled him and contributed to his understanding of the complex people these ancestors were and how even he has been the beneficiary of white male privilege. Searing about the trade and its repercussions. He comes away arguing for reparations.
June 8, 2019
The positive part of reading this book was that I believe this is the first account I've read of another white person admitting to their processing of racism and the history of slavery. It's driven home the point that white people need to be open with one another about their processing, as ugly and shameful and it makes us look. Because we have to accept that shamefulness in ourselves if we want to overcome it.
June 17, 2020
I have been at such a loss as to how to participate in the conversation around race--How do I begin, as the whitest-of-white girls in this whitest-of-white town, to acknowledge my place in it, and help in any way with healing? Your book has allowed me to catch a glimpse of the undercurrents that have shaped my experience, and start in some small way to see the price that has been paid for my privilege. Recommended.
July 11, 2023
I enjoyed much of it, especially the historical information. But, unfortunately, written in 2008, some of its commentary and prescriptions are a little dated now, as it preceded the MAGA era. As bad as racism and denial was 15 years ago, it's grown so much worse now, making it so much harder to he hopeful. The potential for growth and reconciliation now seems so much more remote.
June 10, 2018
Powerful, moving. I read it five years ago, thought of it recently in connection with the Project of Slavery. Race and Reconciliation under way at the University of the South.
March 29, 2020
An exploration of the affects of slavery that still ripple into the lives of the U.S. today. Really compelling reading!!
May 5, 2014
From the book: In a trailer for "Traces of the Trade", a documentary about confronting her legacy, Katrina Colston Browne asks: what do we inherit from seven generations ago? A face, a laugh, a ring, a bible, table manners, a name? What do we inherit without even realizing it? What family secrets hide in the unspoken and unseen?
In the next scene, a camera pulls back from an indescribable black & white pattern to reveal the hold of a slave ship, African people crammed tightly together and then Katrina drops the bomb and states that she is descended from the largest slave-trading family in early America.
How does this 200 year old story connect to who I am today? How has it shaped me?
This passage makes you (the reader) ask these questions about yourself. Think about your roots.
It might make a genealogist think twice about researching their history, but as with this book, I think something good can be learned.
While Katrina worked on her film documentary, distant cousin, Thomas Norman DeWolf wrote this book -- proceeds of which are being dedicated to overcoming racism and other forms of "systemic inequity" that exist.
Throughout this book, I learned a lot about the DeWolf family and their history. Together, we retraced the route of the Triangle Trade beginning in Bristol, RI with stops in Ghana and Cuba. I learned about the role of religion in the institution of slavery, shame, human liberation and forgiveness.
I also learned a lot about Cuba and its history. For example, did you know that 4 different U.S. Presidets hoped to make Cuba a part of the union? And that Polk, Pierce and Buchanan all tried unsuccessfully to purchase Cuba from Spain?
The Reason: Cuba employed the same slave-based economy and the U.S. wanted to annex Cuba to ensure the continuation of the slave system. Scary!
Towards the end of the book, we come full circle when Tom DeWolf makes a confession -- at first, I didn't get it. Now, I do.
An excellent read that fills an important place in history.
In the next scene, a camera pulls back from an indescribable black & white pattern to reveal the hold of a slave ship, African people crammed tightly together and then Katrina drops the bomb and states that she is descended from the largest slave-trading family in early America.
How does this 200 year old story connect to who I am today? How has it shaped me?
This passage makes you (the reader) ask these questions about yourself. Think about your roots.
It might make a genealogist think twice about researching their history, but as with this book, I think something good can be learned.
While Katrina worked on her film documentary, distant cousin, Thomas Norman DeWolf wrote this book -- proceeds of which are being dedicated to overcoming racism and other forms of "systemic inequity" that exist.
Throughout this book, I learned a lot about the DeWolf family and their history. Together, we retraced the route of the Triangle Trade beginning in Bristol, RI with stops in Ghana and Cuba. I learned about the role of religion in the institution of slavery, shame, human liberation and forgiveness.
I also learned a lot about Cuba and its history. For example, did you know that 4 different U.S. Presidets hoped to make Cuba a part of the union? And that Polk, Pierce and Buchanan all tried unsuccessfully to purchase Cuba from Spain?
The Reason: Cuba employed the same slave-based economy and the U.S. wanted to annex Cuba to ensure the continuation of the slave system. Scary!
Towards the end of the book, we come full circle when Tom DeWolf makes a confession -- at first, I didn't get it. Now, I do.
An excellent read that fills an important place in history.
July 17, 2010
When I first heard about the idea for this book, confronting a family legacy of descending from a powerful family of slave traders, I was impressed by the honesty and the good intentions of such a quest. So many times, we like to tell the stories about the great things our ancestors did and cover up all the dirty little secrets. But our ancestors were human beings, and sometimes, they did things we find hard to explain or defend. Some of my own ancestors were slave owners, who farmed in the American South, and that's a troubling legacy for me and even more for my children. So I applaud the idea behind this book and the TV show involved.
But unfortunately, that doesn't mean it's a great book to read.
For me, the book was best when it focused on the actual things that the cousins were learning about their ancestors and about slavery. I found their trip to Ghana and the slave forts to be very powerful stuff. Same with the trip to Cuba, which was also interesting for its view of modern life under Castro. But when he got into the sections of the "big discussions" between community members and the cousins themselves and everyone started talking - and talking - about their own feelings, and experiences, and 'what it all means' - wow, talk about boring. I know that's just me, but it's like reading someone else's therapy session. I just don't want to know that stuff. What I would like to know is now that you've had this amazing experience and you have learned all this stuff about yourself, what are you going to do differently? Because to me, how you feel is not as important as what you do.
Still, I think this is an important book. Racism is still a secret thing in our society. No one wants to admit that it's there. But race has a profound influence on how we experience the world. We all have racial stereotypes we have to deal with, but so few people are willing to admit that. And until we admit it, we can't really change it. So I really admire the idea behind the book. I just found it rather tedious to listen to.
But unfortunately, that doesn't mean it's a great book to read.
For me, the book was best when it focused on the actual things that the cousins were learning about their ancestors and about slavery. I found their trip to Ghana and the slave forts to be very powerful stuff. Same with the trip to Cuba, which was also interesting for its view of modern life under Castro. But when he got into the sections of the "big discussions" between community members and the cousins themselves and everyone started talking - and talking - about their own feelings, and experiences, and 'what it all means' - wow, talk about boring. I know that's just me, but it's like reading someone else's therapy session. I just don't want to know that stuff. What I would like to know is now that you've had this amazing experience and you have learned all this stuff about yourself, what are you going to do differently? Because to me, how you feel is not as important as what you do.
Still, I think this is an important book. Racism is still a secret thing in our society. No one wants to admit that it's there. But race has a profound influence on how we experience the world. We all have racial stereotypes we have to deal with, but so few people are willing to admit that. And until we admit it, we can't really change it. So I really admire the idea behind the book. I just found it rather tedious to listen to.
April 25, 2014
I actually read DeWolf's second book Gather at the Table first, and was so impressed that I knew I had to read his first one. Again, I am impressed and will make to recommend it to others. This is the book he wrote while he was involved with the film project Tracing the Trade, and while I have not yet seen the film, I'm sure it gives a solid background of the group's personalities.
Essentially, Mr.DeWolf has learned though his cousins that his family, and direct ancestors were the largest slave-trading dynasty, and that it was operated from Rhode Island, and not from the more southern states as he originally thought. He also discovers that all white American citizens benefit from the slave trade indirectly even today. He also takes a look at white privilege, which is more ingrained in our culture than we even realize.
It is an eye-opening book, and something we all need to recognize to deal with racism as it still exists.
Essentially, Mr.DeWolf has learned though his cousins that his family, and direct ancestors were the largest slave-trading dynasty, and that it was operated from Rhode Island, and not from the more southern states as he originally thought. He also discovers that all white American citizens benefit from the slave trade indirectly even today. He also takes a look at white privilege, which is more ingrained in our culture than we even realize.
It is an eye-opening book, and something we all need to recognize to deal with racism as it still exists.
October 9, 2010
This book challenged me too take a hard look at my life as a white girl. My privileged upbringing, my access to so many opportunities in contrast to the systemic oppression of being a black person. It's like I was given something at birth that automatically placed me above a black person. This is the legacy of slavery that has invidiously carried on for centuries. I do not advocate reparations, or monetary damages, or that I carry the guilt of my ancestors, but what I do advocate is fighting for equality. And facing the reality that we have yet to achieve this, and seeing what roll I've played in perpetuating this.
I gave the book only three stars because his writing was pedantic and lifeless for about 2/3 the book. When he talked about some serious personal issue and after, the book was frank, honest, and rang true.
My thought now is: What do I do?
I gave the book only three stars because his writing was pedantic and lifeless for about 2/3 the book. When he talked about some serious personal issue and after, the book was frank, honest, and rang true.
My thought now is: What do I do?
April 6, 2016
Outstanding!!! Thomas DeWolf, along with other relatives, traces the DeWolf family's involvement in the Africa-North America Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Another mandatory read assigned by a graduate Professor. However, this book was captivating and extremely informative as Thomas DeWolf takes great pains to weave accurate geographic and historical facts throughout his story. It's a very personal story and you can hear DeWolf struggling to reconcile the vileness (is that a word?), boldness and selfishness of his Grandfather three-times removed.
Give it a read. There's also a movie entitled Traces of the Trade (http://www.tracesofthetrade.org). I haven't viewed it yet but definitely plan to do so.
Another mandatory read assigned by a graduate Professor. However, this book was captivating and extremely informative as Thomas DeWolf takes great pains to weave accurate geographic and historical facts throughout his story. It's a very personal story and you can hear DeWolf struggling to reconcile the vileness (is that a word?), boldness and selfishness of his Grandfather three-times removed.
Give it a read. There's also a movie entitled Traces of the Trade (http://www.tracesofthetrade.org). I haven't viewed it yet but definitely plan to do so.
August 17, 2009
I had no idea that the largest slave trader in the US came out of RI instead of a southern state, as I would have thought. This book followed the showing of the PBS documentary called "Traces of the Trade," in which the descendants of the largest slave owner traveled the route of the slave trade - from the US, to Africa to the Caribbean. The author is one of the descendants. Not long after I read this book, I watched a PBS show about "Big Sugar" that showed how Haitians are even now held as virtual captives in a sugar plantation in the Dominican Republic - doing the cane cutting which is one of the worst jobs on earth. The plantation owner lives lavishly in Fla.
January 28, 2011
A somewhat interesting book by Thomas DeWolf, a former county commissioner from Bend, Oregon who discovers that his ancestors, the DeWolfes of Rhode Island, were heavily involved in the slave trade. DeWolf is rather distantly related to the eastern half of his family--all Ivy Leaguers--but accompanies them to Ghana and Cuba in an attempt to make a documentary film about the subject; it has a lot of revelatory stuff about white people discovering their culpability in contemporary race difficulties and the like. The last quarter of the book is full of personal observations that border on douchery.
December 25, 2015
an in-progress review:
not that far into the book yet
did not get taught US history at least formally that is yet so much rings true to what seeps into the general culture: the lack of stories being told about what happened to Native peoples, the lack of stories about the involvement of African Americans in the building of this country:
not that far into the book yet
did not get taught US history at least formally that is yet so much rings true to what seeps into the general culture: the lack of stories being told about what happened to Native peoples, the lack of stories about the involvement of African Americans in the building of this country:
quite literally, on their sweat and tears: the need to establish an economy that would make a new country viable once the links to the colonial power was cut
the need for cotton and rum
June 11, 2009
Wow. I feel like I learned a lot about different aspects of US, Cuban and African history, that I had not been aware before.
An interesting take on the legacy of slavery and "what do do with it".
I appreciate how he is trying to understand the scope of it all, but in the end, race seems to remain an elusive and hard to understand issue in our society. Sure, we need to be aware of the atrocities, try to remedy or heal the situation and find some kind of common ground. But how exactly to get there remains unknown and the outlook somewhat bleak.
An interesting take on the legacy of slavery and "what do do with it".
I appreciate how he is trying to understand the scope of it all, but in the end, race seems to remain an elusive and hard to understand issue in our society. Sure, we need to be aware of the atrocities, try to remedy or heal the situation and find some kind of common ground. But how exactly to get there remains unknown and the outlook somewhat bleak.
July 25, 2011
This was a fascinating book! I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. I learned SO MUCH. A family discovers that their ancestors were heavily involved in the slave trade. They go on a world journey to trace the history of slavery and to learn about its current day implications. They have very moving and painful experiences. They also learn much about reconciliation and how they think this country should face our history and current influences from our difficult history. I highly recommend this book.
June 19, 2016
A huge five stars for this one. It is not often that I find a book that is interesting and accessible and also challenges me to think as much as this one did. I found myself looking up many topics and people who were mentioned, which greatly broadened the scope of the book. Consequently, I learned far more facts and made more connections than a straight reading would have given me. The final chapters drew the author's own experience together and caused me to consider my own privilege, attitudes, hesitancies and, yes, growth in my personal journey. Quite appropriate on this Juneteenth, 2016.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews