For Adam's Sake: A Family Saga in Colonial New England [Paperback]

In the tradition of Laurel Thatcher Ulrichs classic,An extraordinary story about ordinary people in a pre-revolutionary New England family. Among the people are a master and his slave, the only account of such psychological depth I have seen in all the family histories of New England. Impeccably researched, elegantly written,A fascinating view into the little known world of slavery in the north. . . . . Allegra di Bonaventuras rich account complicates the traditional narrative of slavery and race in early America.Impressively researched and fine-grained. . . . [Her] portrayal of Yankee slavery is acute and sensitive, without being sentimental. . . . In telling the Jacksons story, she has recovered from centuries of oblivion people of colonial Americas lowest order, restoring them not just to history, but also to their individuality and humanity. It is a mighty achievement.Di Bonaventuras achievement is to make the familiar seem strange, turning a topic we thought we knew so much about into something that feels new.A work of astonishing ingenuity, intellectual and emotional depth, and (most of all) brilliant writing.Achieves an amazing, seemingly impossible conjunctionthe best book ever on New England family life and the best book ever on the family context of American slavery, neither prettya riveting story and great history based on astounding research.Engrossing& This is an important examination of an often neglected aspect of our colonial heritage.A rich canvas. . . . A great story; great history.Your book club will loveWith deep research and scrupulous fidelity to her sources, Di Bonaventura enables us to hear the voices of her subjects and glimpse the rhythms and ruptures that defined a world we thought we had lost.Winner of the New England Historical Associations James P. Hanlan Book Award