When People Were Things: Harriet Beecher Stowe, Abraham Lincoln, and the Emancipation Proclamation

by Lisa Waller Rogers

During the three decades before the American Civil War, Southern slaveholders tried to end the anti-slavery movement. They exerted their influence by censoring the press and the mail, attacking and killing abolitionists, burning buildings, drafting frightening new laws and repealing others, and terrorizing and abducting Northern free Blacks. Northerners began to realize that the Slave Power would not rest until slavery was allowed to plant itself all over the nation; many stopped compromising and pushed back. This awakening was due to the efforts of visionaries who used the power of the pen, purse, pulpit, and press to expose the brutal injustices of slavery in an attempt to bring about the liberation of an enslaved people and restore the country to its original commitment of equality for all.
When People Were Things offers a humanizing lens of these disturbing times, portraying well-known Americans in new and surprising ways—activists that still inspire and energize us today—while not shying away from revealing a world often disturbed by Blackness. The book puts the lie to the argument that tries to portray America’s slave-owning past in any positive light whatsoever.
Advance
“

Kirkus Reviews: "our verdict: √ GET IT"

Genres: History, Nonfiction

664 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2025

About the author

A history graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Lisa Waller Rogers writes history stories that are accurate as well as compelling. Each of her five published books have garnered consistent acclaim. A Texas Sampler: Historical Recollections, a Texas Institute of Letters Finalist, was endorsed by First Lady Laura Bush. Angel of the Alamo, was a Texas State Reading Association Golden Spur Award Nominee. Get Along, Little Dogies: The Chisholm Trail Diary of Hallie Lou Wells was a Lamplighter Award Finalist as was The Great Storm: The Hurricane Diary of J.T. King, Galveston, 1900 which won the Western Heritage Wrangler Award for Outstanding Juvenile Book Winner. Remember the Alamo: The Runaway Scrape Diary of Belle Wood was hailed as “a spellbinding story that sits inlaid in Texas history like a jewel in a crown.”
While When People Were Things is Ms. Rogers’ debut nonfiction history book for adults, since 2008, she has been blogging for millions of them at “Lisa’s History Room.”

Reviews

[Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I've read historical nonfiction, but was intrigued by the subject matter in this book by Lisa Waller Rogers. It is a very well written and thoroughly researched. I didn't know much about Harriet Beecher Stowe prior to reading this book and felt like the author did a fantastic job describing her origin story and how she came about to write Uncle Tom's Cabin. It was heartening to read about the number of players in the anti-slavery movement and how they worked together to bring about change. Abraham Lincoln's trajectory and how he came to pen the Emancipation Proclamation was also highlighted in the story and while I did know more about this subject matter, there were a number of things I learned along the way. The chapters are short and digestable and the writing is familiar and does not try to be overly scholarly in its attempt to pull the covers back on what was going on at the time.

I received an ARC via NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Bruce Raterink · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched, well written, engaging and informative account of the abolitionist movement in the United States leading up to the Emancipation Proclamation. I was enraptured from the first chapter and could barely put it down. I learned so much that I didn't know, especially about Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman, John Brown, and the initial challenges of the Civil War. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Barrel Cactus Press, Inc. for an advanced reader copy.

[Jessisquishy ➰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This was a very hard read in a lot of different levels. When I saw this book in netgalley I thought that it was a very interesting book on a topic that I don't know much about. Since I wanted to educate myself on this topic I decided to pick it.

First of all, I must say that it is a rather slow read, obviously, and sometimes a little confusing due to the great amount of names. Sometimes I felt a little lost because I'm not very good with names so I kept forgeting who was realeted to who in which way. On the other hand, I am not a U.S. citizen so I feel that it also made it more difficult, because some characters weren't introduced as thoroughly as others.
It was also a very difficult read on an emotional level. What Black people had to go through was really hard to read about, and seeing that even though some people were in favor of freeing them, they still had limitations in other aspects — it’s heartbreaking. On the other hand, realasing that we do not learn from past mistakes was another very sad aspect of this book.
I really encorage you to read this book if you're intereseted in learning more about history and other perspectives that have been silenced or not so talked about.

[Lexy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When People Were Things is a compelling, in-depth look at the anti-slavery movement in the three decades leading up to the Emancipation Proclamation, shedding light on the activists who fought to end one of the darkest chapters in American history. Author Lisa Waller Rogers is a masterful storyteller, bringing these courageous activists to life with nuance and humanity.

Rogers not only explores prominent figures in the abolitionist movement but also highlights lesser-known enslaved people and women whose contributions were vital to the cause. I especially appreciated the inclusion of so many women’s voices, which added depth and breadth to the narrative.

Told in short, highly readable chapters, this meticulously researched book doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of slavery. Yet, amid the horrors, Rogers emphasizes the resilience, love, and dignity of real people who endured and resisted unimaginable circumstances. Her attention to detail makes these historical figures feel fully dimensional and deeply human.

When People Were Things helped me connect the dots between key historical moments and figures, deepening my understanding of this era of history. I highly recommend this powerful read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm doing research to adapt my MA thesis into a book. I LOVED this book and though I bought it to skim a few sections, I ended up devouring all 700 pages in a matter of days. I recommend it if you want another glimpse into the 19th century.

[Donna DeGracia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep insight into the lives and motivation of pro and anti-slavery players leading up to the Civil War and the Emancipation Declaration. Well written and engaging.

[Tia Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When People Were Things is a gripping look at the anti-slavery movement before the Emancipation Proclamation. Lisa Waller Rogers brings activists both famous and forgotten to life, highlighting resilience, courage, and the vital role of women in history. Hard hitting, human, and unforgettable. Please read this the chapters are short its very reader friendly. Thank you to Barrel Cactus Press and NetGalley I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Read-n-Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Waller Rogers wrote a wonderful book of American history. When PeopleWere Things: Harriet Beecher Stowe, Abraham Lincoln, and the Emancipation Proclamation showed us the true history of those who fought for the end of slavery. Harriet Beecher Stowe was a Christian woman who wanted to see the abolishment of slavery and used her talent of writing to help bring awareness to it and the horribleness of it. She wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin during this time. She believed that God gives each of us freedoms for life. In believing this, no person had the right to make some other person property. Abraham Lincoln believed the same. Abraham Lincoln believed that the Declaration of Independence already proved our founding and founding fathers wanted an ending to slavery and believed so, because it says that all men are created equal. And that it was given to us by God. So he fought to make it possible for all just as God intended. It is a very good, powerful and important truth of our nation, the United States of America 🇺🇸. Recommend for all to read, especially anyone who loves history, especially American history. Thank you Net Galley for the arc and to the publishers and author as well.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

When People Were Things by Lisa Waller Rogers is a powerful, haunting look at how Harriet Beecher Stowe and Abraham Lincoln helped turn the tide against slavery. Rogers blends history and humanity, showing how words and courage reshaped a nation.

Our club found it moving and thought-provoking, dense at times, but unforgettable.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many years I have read stories and histories of enslaved Americans. Even so, there was a lot of information in this book that I have not known until now. The book's easy and conversational tone kept my interest throughout!