About this ebook
“Twenty-nine oral histories and additional excerpts, selected from 2000 interviews with former slaves conducted in the 1930s for a WPA Federal Writers Project, document the conditions of slavery that . . . lie at the root of today’s racism.” —Publishers Weekly
In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration commissioned an oral history of the remaining former slaves. Bullwhip Days is a remarkable compendium of selections from these extraordinary interviews, providing an unflinching portrait of the world of government-sanctioned slavery of Africans in America. Here are twenty-nine full narrations, as well as nine sections of excerpts related to particular aspects of slave life, from religion to plantation life to the Reconstruction era. Skillfully edited, these chronicles bear eloquent witness to the trials of slaves in America, reveal the wide range of conditions of human bondage, and provide sobering insight into the roots of racism in today’s society.
“Remarkably articulate . . . vivid, moving, and beautifully cadenced.” —The New Yorker
In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration commissioned an oral history of the remaining former slaves. Bullwhip Days is a remarkable compendium of selections from these extraordinary interviews, providing an unflinching portrait of the world of government-sanctioned slavery of Africans in America. Here are twenty-nine full narrations, as well as nine sections of excerpts related to particular aspects of slave life, from religion to plantation life to the Reconstruction era. Skillfully edited, these chronicles bear eloquent witness to the trials of slaves in America, reveal the wide range of conditions of human bondage, and provide sobering insight into the roots of racism in today’s society.
“Remarkably articulate . . . vivid, moving, and beautifully cadenced.” —The New Yorker
Ratings and reviews
4.6
8 reviews
Judith Ayers
- Flag inappropriate
March 26, 2023
These often vivid descriptions of slavery are riveting and horrifying. The descriptions of kind masters who provided generous food, clothes and treatment were surprising; yet, these masters still owned people and at their deaths, their slaves were sold. A few descriptions of African memories from parents depicted highly diverse lifestyles.
Christopher Dates
- Flag inappropriate
- Show review history
July 6, 2018
You devils are so dumb...They were not & we are not African...We are the
dear children of The One True & Living GOD Yahawah of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob
1 person found this review helpful
Jonathan Hadley
- Flag inappropriate
May 13, 2017
Read the sample and already like it.
About the author
James Mellon edited Bullwhip Days. His previous books include African Hunter and The Face of Lincoln.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
