Fleeing for Freedom - 224th Edition by Willene Hendrick & George Hendrick (Paperback)

About the Book

Selected narratives from the two most important contemporary chroniclers of the Underground Railroad, Levi Coffin and William Still. Here are firsthand descriptions of the experiences of escaped slaves making their way to freedom in the North and in Canada in the years before ...

Book Synopsis

Selected narratives from the two most important contemporary chroniclers of the Underground Railroad, Levi Coffin and William Still. Here are firsthand descriptions of the experiences of escaped slaves making their way to freedom in the North and in Canada in the years before the Civil War. A colorful yet balanced portrait. -William L. Van Deburg

Review Quotes

"A must for African American history collections, this book provides a compelling glimpse into a noble juncture in the American experience." --Margaret Flanagan, Booklist

"Their introduction is particularly valuable, offering excellent background for what follows.... This well-edited work makes history accessible." --Library Journal

"The Hendricks' judicious selection of period accounts drawn from classic nineteenth-century texts honors the memory of both the fugitive slaves and their Underground Railroad and Vigilance Committee benefactors. Its colorful, yet balanced portrait of Liberty Line heroism should win the new book a wide readership." --William L. Van Deburg, author of Modern Black Nationalism and Slavery and Race in American Popular Culture

"Coffin's and Still's stories underscore slavery's cruelties, document the heroism of the slaves' black and white allies, and remind us of the resiliency and determination of the human spirit to be free." --John David Smith, author of Black Judas; co-editor of The Dictionary of Afro-American Slavery

"This book offeres insight on the movement's impact on slaves, slaveholders, and the Northern aboltionist societies that were so heavily involved." --Kiley Clapper, Grand Forks Herald

"The book brings together for the first time...stories from...the two major chroniclers of the Underground Railroad." --University Of Illinois News Bureau

"The editors...reflect the strategies, tactics, heartbreak and dangers for both the slaves and the 'conductors' of the fabled network." --Vicksburg Post

"This book is valuable not only for its contents but also for its introduction and its bibliographical notes." --Kliatt

"Would that we had more books like Fleeing for Freedom...bringing to life...dangers and rewards of the Liberty Line." --The Dallas Morning News

"An excellent introduction to the history of the system that helped between 20,000 and 75,000 slaves." --Virginia Quarterly Review

"Includes several dramatic accounts." --Don Glynn, Niagara Gazette

"The Hendricks' introduction provides a valuable overview of the UGRR and of the lives of Coffin and Still." --Timothy Crumrin, Indiana Magazine of History

"Unadorned and straightforward, the tales are impressive in their manner and their message." --Pat Moore, Kliatt

A must for African American history collections, this book provides a compelling glimpse into a noble juncture in the American experience.

An excellent introduction to the history of the system that helped between 20,000 and 75,000 slaves.

Coffin's and Still's stories underscore slavery's cruelties, document the heroism of the slaves' black and white allies, and remind us of the resiliency and determination of the human spirit to be free.

Includes several dramatic accounts.

The book brings together for the first time...stories from...the two major chroniclers of the Underground Railroad.

The editors...reflect the strategies, tactics, heartbreak and dangers for both the slaves and the 'conductors' of the fabled network.

The Hendricks' introduction provides a valuable overview of the UGRR and of the lives of Coffin and Still.

The Hendricks' judicious selection of period accounts drawn from classic nineteenth-century texts honors the memory of both the fugitive slaves and their Underground Railroad and Vigilance Committee benefactors. Its colorful, yet balanced portrait of Liberty Line heroism should win the new book a wide readership.

Their introduction is particularly valuable, offering excellent background for what follows.... This well-edited work makes history accessible.

This book is valuable not only for its contents but also for its introduction and its bibliographical notes.

This book offeres insight on the movement's impact on slaves, slaveholders, and the Northern aboltionist societies that were so heavily involved.

Unadorned and straightforward, the tales are impressive in their manner and their message.

Would that we had more books like Fleeing for Freedom...bringing to life...dangers and rewards of the Liberty Line.

About the Author

George and Willene Hendrick are independent scholars and researchers who together have written The Creole Mutiny: A Tale of Revolt Aboard a Slave Ship, and edited Two Slave Rebellions at Sea and several collections of Carl Sandburg's poems, including Poems for the People. George Hendrick, formerly professor of English at the University of Illinois, has also edited To Reach Eternity: The Letters of James Jones. The Hendricks live in Urbana, Illinois.