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stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
3.0
This was painstakingly researched and an important topic, but it was just a slog to get through. After trying for awhile in print, I switched to audio and that helped me complete it. Personally, I felt there was too much "theorizing" about the motivations of the historical figures. Once you get into that realm, I think this moves away from non-fiction. Probably would have been much more compelling as a historical fiction novel.
qqjj's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicide, Death of parent, Slavery, Child death, Death, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Alcoholism, Infertility, Colonisation, Classism, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, and Racism
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. This book could have easily been half the length. As I suspected before I started reading it, there is mostly speculation of events and conjecture on the part of the author, although it is clear she did a lot of research into the legalities of slavery in Virginia in the late 1700's. I almost feel like the information provided would be better served as a historical fiction book than a history book. Gave up about 200 pages in as it just wasn't engaging and kept repeating the same speculative information.
jeannine_rose's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Interesting, informative, a few too many opinions based on contemporary information.
tophat8855's review against another edition
4.0
Listened via Hoopla.
Long non-fiction books are best read by audiobook- any repetition is less bothersome. I found this book very informative. It was repetitive and speculative at times, but when you're filling in gaps of history, it gets that way. Also fun to hear Fawn Brodie's name throughout as a reference. She got around as a historian!
I would say it is worth a listen, but it is very long.
Long non-fiction books are best read by audiobook- any repetition is less bothersome. I found this book very informative. It was repetitive and speculative at times, but when you're filling in gaps of history, it gets that way. Also fun to hear Fawn Brodie's name throughout as a reference. She got around as a historian!
I would say it is worth a listen, but it is very long.