Author | Edward Ball |
---|---|
Original title | Slaves in the Family |
Language | English |
Published | Ballantine Books |
Media type | |
Pages | 505 |
Awards | National Book Award Ambassador Book Award for American Studies |
ISBN |
Slaves in the Family is a biographical historical account written by Edward Ball, published in 1998.
The book is an account of the author's family origins, dating back to when they first arrived in America. It also outlines the lineage of the slaves long ago owned by his ancestors. Ball follows the stories of these people over many years as the families dispersed. Over time, the family earned the reputation as "the most prominent of South Carolina plantation owners." The author explores genealogy and history, via interviewing descendants from both groups. Stories from the black families are intense and varied, practically lacking in any kind of bitterness. The book depicts his family as being not the cruelest of slave owners.