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Freedom's Trail: Always & Forever
Amanda, a mulatto slave girl, hates being a slave with her entire being. When she is unexpectedly purchased and freed by the man who becomes her husband, she thinks her life is finally turning around. Will the outbreak of the Civil War change all of that? What is to become of her family?
360 pages, Hardcover
Published August 6, 2024
6 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 10, 2024
A must read story!
Writing a review about a family memoir is never easy. C. W. Harper’s excellent portrayal of life from the early 1800s through the years up to, and following emancipation, makes a review easier to write than most. This novel is a fictional recount of his family and is based on letters and family stories passed down over several generations. He did an excellent job of bringing this family history to life. Like the author, my great-great-grandfather was born a slave in Tennessee, the son of a white farmer and a Nigerian slave. Unlike the author, he was acknowledged by his father, and only suffered from invisible chains. He inherited his father’s farm, took an Irish bride, and had a large family of blue eye, auburn-haired children that grew up as white. Unlike the author’s family, we all knew that we had mixed blood, as our parents kept excellent records and hid nothing from us. My family history stimulated my interest in families descended from slaves. I have read many, both good and bad, and this story is one of the best. Harper’s clear and articulate writing style pulls you into the story, with realistic descriptions and just the right amount of facts and background. While the story is often one sided, the author clearly portrays his view that unspeakable cruelty was exhibited by both sides during the Civil War, neither condemning the behavior nor excusing it. Even more important was the conclusion that as confusing and horrible as that time was, love really conquered all. This emotional and informative memoir, and the people whose lives it portrays, brings light to a dark period and the complex issues faced by the pseudo white portion of our nation during this time, and for many years to come.
Writing a review about a family memoir is never easy. C. W. Harper’s excellent portrayal of life from the early 1800s through the years up to, and following emancipation, makes a review easier to write than most. This novel is a fictional recount of his family and is based on letters and family stories passed down over several generations. He did an excellent job of bringing this family history to life. Like the author, my great-great-grandfather was born a slave in Tennessee, the son of a white farmer and a Nigerian slave. Unlike the author, he was acknowledged by his father, and only suffered from invisible chains. He inherited his father’s farm, took an Irish bride, and had a large family of blue eye, auburn-haired children that grew up as white. Unlike the author’s family, we all knew that we had mixed blood, as our parents kept excellent records and hid nothing from us. My family history stimulated my interest in families descended from slaves. I have read many, both good and bad, and this story is one of the best. Harper’s clear and articulate writing style pulls you into the story, with realistic descriptions and just the right amount of facts and background. While the story is often one sided, the author clearly portrays his view that unspeakable cruelty was exhibited by both sides during the Civil War, neither condemning the behavior nor excusing it. Even more important was the conclusion that as confusing and horrible as that time was, love really conquered all. This emotional and informative memoir, and the people whose lives it portrays, brings light to a dark period and the complex issues faced by the pseudo white portion of our nation during this time, and for many years to come.
August 8, 2024
A Riveting and Strong Telling
First let me state that words cannot do justice to the beauty and incredible emotion of this novel. Especially in a time when our nation still fights prejudice, and in places makes an attempt to erase such history as is contained here in.
The characters, Hartwell, Amanda, and the rest are highly developed and come alive on the page. The plot is captivating from page one.
There is use of certain verbiage that makes the flesh crawl, but the words are necessary and not used gratuitously or for shock value. They were words authentic to the time and more is the pity that they have yet to be eradicated in modern society.
Rarely does a book make me weep. This one did several times.
I highly recommend this.
First let me state that words cannot do justice to the beauty and incredible emotion of this novel. Especially in a time when our nation still fights prejudice, and in places makes an attempt to erase such history as is contained here in.
The characters, Hartwell, Amanda, and the rest are highly developed and come alive on the page. The plot is captivating from page one.
There is use of certain verbiage that makes the flesh crawl, but the words are necessary and not used gratuitously or for shock value. They were words authentic to the time and more is the pity that they have yet to be eradicated in modern society.
Rarely does a book make me weep. This one did several times.
I highly recommend this.
August 24, 2024
Magnificent Debut Novel
Historically accurate and emotionally compelling, this novel humanizes the struggles and triumphs faced by a world that battles itself over slavery. Well-written, well-researched, and a testament to the love and care the author put into the story of his own family, this is a book you should read.
Historically accurate and emotionally compelling, this novel humanizes the struggles and triumphs faced by a world that battles itself over slavery. Well-written, well-researched, and a testament to the love and care the author put into the story of his own family, this is a book you should read.
November 6, 2024
This book was Really good and the author did alot of research before the civil war the main characters are slaves and Amanda a Mulatto marries a white man named Hartwell
who frees her Mom and her son.Then the civil war breaks out and Amanda's husband and sons join the union to fight against the South.This book deserves more then 5 stars.
who frees her Mom and her son.Then the civil war breaks out and Amanda's husband and sons join the union to fight against the South.This book deserves more then 5 stars.
January 14, 2025
Yet another book that I had to stop reading prematurely. I was doing so well until the author made the H a sixteen year old boy and the h a twenty-four year old woman. I understand that things were different back then, but I can't reconcile my mind to that age gap.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2024
Freedom Trail
A very good Novel about the time before , during, and shortly after the Civil war. About Gods blessing of bringing the family back together.
A very good Novel about the time before , during, and shortly after the Civil war. About Gods blessing of bringing the family back together.
September 28, 2024
Very good book
This book was informative and exciting from beginning to the end. I've never heard of the author but hopefully there will be others just as good.
This book was informative and exciting from beginning to the end. I've never heard of the author but hopefully there will be others just as good.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews