Sharpened Blade: The Story of Dinah Clark

by Joseph J Swope

“Swope deftly weaves Reading, Berks County and American history around the life of this interesting African-American woman. The author successfully tiptoes between fact and fiction, bringing this memorable tale to life. Definitely a keeper!” –Paul A. Druzda, Berks County historian and author of four books on local history

Based on one woman's incredible real life.

Born an indentured servant and bound by slavery for the first twenty-one years of her life, Dinah Clark ultimately earned her freedom, married, had children, bought a house, and mastered the arduous work of a sawyer. Her profession—unusual for a woman at the time—sustained her following the early death of her husband. Her outgoing nature and skill as a woodcutter made her one of the most famous African American women in Reading, Pennsylvania, in the 19th century.

Along the way, Dinah helped build the Bethel A.M.E. Church, which served not only as her place of worship but also as a way station on the Underground Railroad. Despite living near poverty much of her life, Dinah's courage and conviction helped her break down racial and gender barriers as she staked out a full life for herself and her family.

Genres: History

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2026

Reviews

[Jemma Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual genre, but so glad I got to read this. What a truly amazing inspiring novel, such a courageous woman. This story evoked many emotions in me and it will be a story I'll remember for a long time. The author told this lady's life story honest, beautiful and raw

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

(From the author's website: https://josephswope.com/

"Born an indentured servant and held in slavery for the first 21 years of her life, Dinah Clark ultimately earned her freedom, married, had children, and mastered the arduous work of a sawyer. Her outgoing nature and skill as a woodcutter made her one of the most famous African American women in Reading, Pennsylvania in the 19th Century.

"Along the way, Dinah and her husband helped build the Bethel A.M.E. Church, which served not only as her place of worship but also as a waystation on the Underground Railroad. Despite living near poverty much of her life, Dinah’s courage and conviction helped her break down racial and gender barriers as she staked out a full life for her and her family."

I was deeply touched by this story. I have read about the abuse of slaves in the United States before but reading about it through someone's real life story was different. Dinah is an amazing lady who represents true survivors of repression and abuse. With all that's going on today politically (at least for me), her story reminds me that we are all capable to not just survive life's stresses, but that life can be lived the best we can no matter what's happening in our society. And not only that but maybe, just maybe, we can be a light in the darkness for others.

For those interested in history, this book has a lot of information about the Reading, Pennsylvania, area before and after the Civil War. The Bethel A.M.E. Church Dinah and her husband, William, helped found is still active today:

https://www.faithstreet.com/church/be.... I think that's wonderful and she would be so proud to know.

I was privileged to have been given a free copy to review. Thank you.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this fascinating historical fiction novel based on the true life of Dinah Clarke, readers discover how she moved from an indentured servant and enslaved woman to a free woman who worked as a sawyer, an unlikely position for women at the time. One of the most famous African American women from Reading, Pennsylvania, she helped build the Bethel AME Church, which was a waystation on the Underground Railroad, and her incredible skill as a woodcutter helped her support her family and transform the community. A powerful insight into the life of a woman forgotten by history, this moving and detailed novel pulls readers in with its complex protagonist and the incredible historical details that bring this story to life. The characters are well-written, complicated, and realistic, and they definitely pull readers into the story because of the severity of the obstacles in their paths, while the historical details and setting flesh out the larger narrative and add the necessary context to the characters’ stories. Brilliantly written, packed with details, and incredibly informative, historical fiction fans will greatly appreciate Joseph Swope’s work in bringing Dinah Clarke’s incredible life to light in this excellent new historical fiction title set in nineteenth-century America.

Thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the advance copy.

[John Quante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharpened Blade by Swope is a remarkable historical biography that brings to life the extraordinary story of Dinah Clark, an African-American woman who rose from indentured servitude and slavery to become a trailblazer in 19th-century Reading, Pennsylvania. Overcoming incredible obstacles, Dinah earned her freedom, married, raised a family, and mastered the demanding trade of sawyer—a rare profession for women at the time.

Her courage, resilience, and community contributions—including helping to build the Bethel A.M.E. Church, which also served as a stop on the Underground Railroad—highlight her lasting impact. Richly woven with local and American history, this story celebrates determination, strength, and the breaking of racial and gender barriers. A compelling and inspiring read for anyone who loves historical biographies and stories of triumph against the odds.

[Karen M. Bainbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resilience

I liked how the author told of the life of a freed slave Dinah Clark while citing us history during her life. I did not realize that he lived in the Heister homestead where Dinah's resided as a slave.