The Underground Railroad: A Captivating Guide to the Network of Routes, Places, and People in the United States That Helped Free African Americans during the Nineteenth Century

by Captivating History

If you want to discover the captivating history of the Underground Railroad, then keep reading...Free History BONUS Inside!The Underground Railroad wasn’t underground. Nor was it a railroad. It was, however, an awe-inspiring piece of history, and one that speaks of hope even today. Two hundred years ago, slavery had the Southern United States firmly in its evil grip. Around four million African Americans languished in the most appalling of living conditions, their lives controlled by people who saw them as objects. They were starved, whipped, and put to work despite being pregnant, sick, or so young that they could barely walk. They were despised, downtrodden, and degraded in every way. They longed for freedom, yet to reach the free land of Canada, they would have to cross thousands of miles filled with the threat of slave catchers, men who had made it their business to snatch desperate people who were on the very brink of liberty. It was a hopeless time, but it was also a time of heroes. The only hope that these enslaved people had of escaping their brutal fates was the Underground Railroad. This fabled network of people and places delivered tens of thousands of escaped slaves all the way across the northern United States and into Canada. And while many of the people who made these escapes possible have melted away into history as faceless heroes, we know the names and stories of many. Their stories are some of the most inspiring that we will ever hear.In The Underground A Captivating Guide to the Network of Routes, Places, and People in the United States That Helped Free African Americans during the Nineteenth Century, you will discover topics such Slavery through the AgesAbolition around the WorldAbolition in the United StatesThe Father of the Underground RailroadThe Moses of Her PeopleMore Heroes of the Underground RailroadAnd much, much more!So if you want to learn more about the history of the Underground Railroad, scroll up and click the "add to cart" button!

Genres: History, Nonfiction

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 28, 2020

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll say this: Captivating History definitely makes history captivating. 😋😌 I loved this! Written so story-like yet so informative, this was never draggy and always concise and so straight up to the point. I really loved the way it was written! And I could allllllmost finish it during in one sitting... :pp

[Jerry Jares · Rating 5 out of 5]

When offered this book, I decided not to read it because I thought I knew about the Underground Railroad. But I picked it up and decided to thumb through the chapter headings. In seconds, I was reading and finding information I didn't know on nearly every page. This book was so interesting, I read it in one sitting.

By reading a great deal of world history, I was familiar with the concept that prisoners of war were often turned into slaves by the conquering groups. Men were busy enslaving others from the earliest times; the Romans were especially adept at bringing home slaves for their homes and farms. It is interesting to watch, through this book, how slavery slowly became less acceptable. It was the Age of Enlightenment (of the 1600 & the 1700s) that made people think about freedom in different ways.

Having recently read Harriet Tubman and Frederich Douglass' life stories, I thought I understood the system of sheltering and moving former slaves. However, this book takes a deeper look at famous, infamous, and unheralded heroes of that time and place. For instance, I was surprised to find out that John Brown was part of the Underground Railroad (actually, he was a second-generation stationmaster) before he turned to more violent tactics to promote his beliefs.

In this Captivating History title, a reader learns about the British, the Quakers, the free, and the slaves that all fought against people owning others. It is a memorable story.

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of the best books you can read on the subject since it examines the whole subject; the history of slavery, how slavery got started in America, the problems that developed, the treatment of slaves, the laws involving slavery, the abolition movement and the people involved in trying to free slaves.

It discusses slavery in the ancient world, noting the history of slavery goes back to at least 3500 BCE and it involved city states/countries taking over others and taking people to use as slaves. This was in the area that is now Iraq and Iran and the surrounding area and places like Babylon.

Then it goes into the Middle Ages with serfdom which was somewhat like slavery. This changed to Spain and Portugal taking people from Africa and selling them as slaves. The book goes into how people in Africa captured others and sold them to slave traders. Then the book goes into the conditions on board the ships.

It notes it was illegal to teach slaves and how slaves that misbehaved were subject to being whipped and otherwise basically tortured.

Then it goes into the gradual growth of abolitionism, who was involved, how other countries outlawed slavery before the U.S., and the role of Quakers in helping escaped slaves.

It notes the steps in the Underground Railroad, the terms used (such as conductors) and the dangers involved. It goes in to how laws changed and how escaped slaves had to aim for Canada rather than America. It also goes into the various individuals that were involved in freeing slaves and providing them shelter and other help once they escaped the South.

It's a very well written and very complete book.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who majored in history in college and a life-long student of the American Civil War, I jumped at the chance to read this installment of the Captivating History series. I was so happy that I did! While this book isn’t long, it’s packed full of interesting bits about such noted heroes as Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass (one of my personal heroes). But it has so much more!!
I didn’t know anything about Jermain Wesley Loguen, Levi Coffin, John Fairfield, or William Still, and with what was in the book, I’ve now added them to my list of historical people I want to read more about. This book flows in a wonderful way, you’re getting the backgrounds of so many historical figures, but you’re not overwhelmed. There is a huge amount of historical knowledge packed into the pages, but you’re not bored.
If you’re looking for a book that packs a lot of historical facts within its pages, I would definitely recommend the books from the Captivating History series. If you’re looking for a well written book about the Underground Railroad and some of its more well-known conductors, as well as the founder, then I definitely recommend this book.
*I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[John Fetzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Underground Railroad, as the author highlights from the first chapter, has become as much myths as history. From the beginnings of the colonization
, this history tells what seems to be a more factual and real story. There are details, additional information, and logical explanation of the situations and incidents that are the stories of the Railroad.

Myths are described and debunks, such as the use of code quilts to "signpost" a waystation. Biographical details of many people are given, fleshing out the people rather than giving the usual highlighted one of Douglas and Tubman.

Even the terms used add texture. Not slaves, but dnslaved man or woman. Not master, but endlaver. These add humanity to the victims

[Beth Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, though it is more a history of black slavery in America, than it is about the underground railroad. Seems like we are still fighting this fight today.

[Daria Mielcarz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting facts here but nothing you can't find somewhere else. Author uses the word "ironic" improperly - drove me crazy. There are better books about the Underground Railroad.

[Kim Curyto · Rating 4 out of 5]

important history

This outlined a number of people who were integral to abolition, many not found in traditional history books. An informative and interesting read.