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thomasr417's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.5
leyva13's review against another edition
A heavy, but quick read. Scholarly.
Should be incorporated into curriculum on U.S. History.
Should be incorporated into curriculum on U.S. History.
faegirl's review against another edition
3.0
A bit repetitive in her text, but a really interesting subject. Would have been interesting to see more examples in depth, rather than the few in glance.
courtz531's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
This is one of the best books I have read in this genre. This book is well-researched and thorough. The writing style and feeling remind me of Isabel Wilkerson's work. Narration was impeccable!
historyofjess's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
As you can probably guess by the subject matter, this is an incredibly tense book. The histories of slaves separated from their families is split into three sections: separation, searching and reunification. Unfortunately and expectedly, the "separation" portion makes up the lion's share of the book and they are not easy stories. Still, this is well-told and a book I'm very glad I read. It's heartbreaking, but an important record of the experiences of slaves in the United States and how they bore the brutality of being separated from those they loved.
retiredlibrarylady's review against another edition
5.0
This was written by a professor at UNC and published by the university press, but unlike many academic writings it is not only readable but fascinating. Williams contrasts the attitudes of many white persons over time to the separation of African-American families with the evidence showing how devastating it was for the family members. Highly recommended.
uberbutter's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
In this moving non-fiction book, Help Me Find My People, we delve into how the separation of families during slavery occured, the impact it had, and how families tried to reunite during and, most definitely, after the end of slavery. It was a hardship as paperwork was scarce and many family members were separated by hundreds and hundreds of miles. A parent looking for their child, who they lost saw when they were 4, may now be 28. Expectations were often high but the outcome rarely came to meet those expectations.
It was a fascinating look into the search for family and connections during a tragic time in history. The newspaper ads that appear within the book were so interesting to me - the ads looking for loved ones. I will say the book is somewhat dry and while it doesn't bother this history nerd, it may not be a book if you're looking for something a bit more light or action-packed.
It was a fascinating look into the search for family and connections during a tragic time in history. The newspaper ads that appear within the book were so interesting to me - the ads looking for loved ones. I will say the book is somewhat dry and while it doesn't bother this history nerd, it may not be a book if you're looking for something a bit more light or action-packed.
kappareads's review against another edition
5.0
A heartbreaking yet fascinating part of social history that is often over looked, this was phenomenally written and easy to follow.
(4.5/5 stars)
(4.5/5 stars)
momwrex's review against another edition
5.0
An extremely well written book on the separation of families by white slave owners who treated African Americans as property. Williams explores the newspaper ads of former enslaved people searching for family members they had been separated from while the ownership of humans was legal. She discusses and disproves the myth that African Americans were detached and unemotional and unaffected by separations. (Why was this charge not aimed at the OWNERS who were uncaring and unfeeling and evil in owning people, and separating families??) The author provides of evidence and examines the emotional impact of these separations. The primary sources that she uses in writing the book demonstrate the obvious grief and longing of the family members.
The book also explains the efforts the freed people spent on searching for family members, and how the government filed to support many of the searchers. This is a very important book to deepen understanding of a central part of American history, and the impact it had on families of color, and on our country as a whole.
The book also explains the efforts the freed people spent on searching for family members, and how the government filed to support many of the searchers. This is a very important book to deepen understanding of a central part of American history, and the impact it had on families of color, and on our country as a whole.