Sojourner Truth

by Peter Krass

Traces the life of the former slave who could neither read nor write, yet earned a reputation as one of the most articulate and outspoken antislavery and women's rights activists in the United States.

Genres: Biography

110 pages, Library Binding

First published October 1, 1986

About the author

I like to dabble for “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds” as Ralph Waldo Emerson would remind us. Although I’m not sure how far dabbling will get you, I’ve enjoyed working on biographies, business books, newspaper stories, business articles, that all-consuming yet maddeningly elusive arena of fiction, and poetry.

And now my wife and I are Vermont farmers to boot, with a sugar bush that glows in the low winter sun, chickens who lay regularly, a coq who never crows before 7am, honey bees who are sweet as, well, honey, and 2 German shepherds who want more than anything to shepherd the chickens …

Reviews

[Joseph Sverker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply a remarkable person. The book begins with Isabella's birth and simply the fact that it was not evident that she would live with her mother and father should stop one to think. It is so easy for me to distance myself from the facts of history. I wonder what would happen if I really tried to understand how one's children were sold, you did not have the ultimate authority over them, were beaten, raped, and sometimes killed in front of your eyes. It is unimaginable and also a fact for the blacks in slavery. It is remarkable how Isabella Baumfree managed to work hard and appear to a have a vision throughout this. When she walks away in 1826 there surely seems to be some guidance. It is interesting to see how theology can work both ways in this period of time. Slavery was certainly justified by biblical references, and it was also opposed and after she changed her name to Sojourner Truth it seems like she understood just how powerful theology can be in this context. Her famous speech include references to a common humanity and it is easy for us to think that this is the force of her argument, but we forget that it was precisely the common humanity that was debated. Rather the force of the argument lies in her reference to the Bible and God as I see it. Her speech is incredible if it would have been written by a well educated speech writer. How she was able to work with such stringency and rhetorical forcefulness is beyond me. It is probably difficult to get more facts about Sojourner Truth's life, but it would of course be interesting to read a more academic historical account of her life.

[Ginna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short...

[Ginna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only one complaint: Not long enough!

[ShaTonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a legacy this amazing woman left behind. Simply moving... my heart is just moved.

[Tom Baikin-O'hayon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best Biography, but it has some nice insights

[Holli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know much about her so this was a good introduction as I begin to teach a class on the Civil War. I love knowing about and sharing about inspiring people.

[Destene · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was very interesting

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. If you like learning about history then this book is definitely for you.