An important book of epic scope on America’s first racially integrated, religiously-inspired political movement for change—The Underground Railroad, a movement peopled by daring heroes and heroines, and everyday folk
For most, the mention of the Underground Railroad evokes images of hidden tunnels, midnight rides, and hairsbreadth escapes. Yet the Underground Railroad’s epic story is much more … story is much more morally complex and politically divisive than even the myths suggest. Against a backdrop of the country’s westward expansion,which brought together Easterners who had engaged in slavery primarily in the abstract alongside slaveholding Southerners and their slaves, arose a clash of values that evolved into a fierce fight for nothing less than the country’s soul. Beginning six decades before the Civil War, freedom-seeking blacks and pious whites worked together to save tens of thousands of lives, often at the risk of great physical danger to themselves. Not since the American Revolution had the country engaged in an act of such vast and profound civil disobedience that not only subverted federal law but also went against prevailing mores.
Flawlessly researched and uncommonly engaging, Bound for Canaan, shows why it was the Underground Railroad and not the Civil Rights movement that gave birth to this country’s first racially-integrated, religiously-inspired movement for social change.
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It was very eye-opening to me, especially the truth that slaves were not safe in ANY city or state in the U.S. at that time, even the “free states.” Basically, they had to go to Canada to find real freedom. I think this is a “must-read” for all Americans today. We still have a long ways to go.
Fascinating, insightfu. well-researchedl history of the abolitionist movement and development of the Underground Railroad. Courage abounds on both sides, the fugatives who risked their lives to be free and the abolisionists who sheltered them. An excellent example of what can be accomplished by passion and determination against seemingly …
An interesting, well written and incredibly informative chronicle of the many courageous people who started and ran the Underground Railroad, helping thousands of slaves and their families escape to freedom. An important part of history that everyone should learn about
All you never learned about the Underground Railroad and abolition movement in high school. Very well researched and an eye – opener about how ordinary people affected the course of history. Slow moving in parts, but worth slogging through.
Even though I teach young children about the heroism of the people of the Underground Railroad, this book educated me far beyond what I knew from previous reading. The depressing thing is that it illuminated the roots of the haters and bigots in our country today. I see where the intolerance has come from, and I see it as tragically unchanged …
Enjoyed the detailed information of characters I had never known about. Looked up a map online of the period and it made the overall comprehension of the material much easier.
I read this book for Black History Month. As a retired History teacher,this book is most informative and easy to access.I highly recommend it.
Eye opener about the extent of the evil that was the institution of slavery in the U.S. and the incredible moral strength, tenacity and danger that were involved in overcoming the culture at the time. They passed laws in free states that required people to return escaped slaves to their captors. The underground railroad helped these people evade …
Was not impressed
Presents a true story of a terrible time in history.