In the Shadow of Liberty

Starred review from September 12, 2016
This powerful examination of five enslaved individuals and their presidential ownersâWashington, Jefferson, Madison, and Jacksonâdelves into these closely interwoven relationships while offering a broader look at America's history with slavery. Although Davis (the Don't Know Much About series) discusses familiar figures such as Sally Hemings and Frederick Douglass, his focus on a few little-known figuresâincluding Billy Lee, Washington's longtime valet, and Paul Jennings, who served James Madison during the War of 1812âdelivers an eye-opening vision of "stubborn facts" in American history that are often "swept under the carpet," as Davis notes in his introduction. At the heart of this chronicle is what Davis calls "America's great contradiction," the glaring dichotomy between the presidents' espoused beliefs in equality and their financial, domestic, and even emotional dependency on the individuals they owned. In a thoroughly researched and reasoned account, Davis exposes the intricacies of this impossibly tangled web ("Moral issues aside, the practical problem remained. Even wealthy, powerful men like Madison, Washington, and Jefferson who were considering emancipation couldn't do so without losing their fortunes"), supplemented by timelines, photographs, and other archival materials. Ages 10â14. Agent: David Black, David Black Literary.

June 15, 2016
Known for his Don't Know Much About... series, Davis here focuses on the lives of five individuals who were enslaved to some of the most important proponents of American liberty; "Only then can we really understand and possibly move past the stain of a racist past that still haunts America." Davis begins by discussing the inherent contradictions of the founders' fight for liberty, then turns to his subjects. Billy Lee was purchased by George Washington as a teenager and served as his manservant until Washington took office. Ona Judge, a maid to Martha Washington, escaped while Washington was president. Isaac Granger spent a significant portion of his days at Monticello, the property of Thomas Jefferson. Paul Jennings, enslaved by President James Madison, was part of the White House staff that fled Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812. And Alfred Jackson was enslaved to President Andrew Jackson and remained at the Hermitage, telling stories about the man who had owned him until the end of his life. The premise of this work is unique, and Davis has a very readable storytelling style. In addition to the selected individual stories, he provides historical context, including information about other enslaved people connected to the four presidents. An important and timely corrective. (timelines, source notes, bibliography, index). (Nonfiction. 10-14)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from August 1, 2016

Gr 6 Up-Many are familiar with the lives of the Founding Fathers-their legacies are woven into the very fabric of our nation. Yet Davis peels back the layers of early U.S. history to provide readers with an aspect of the American story that is often ignored. Drawing on a wealth of primary sources, images, statistics, and personal accounts, this work gives readers a more complete picture of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Jackson through profiles of the enslaved people they owned. This volume does not shy away from the horrific reality of this portion of U.S. history, nor does it suggest readers should abandon all nostalgic notions of the Founding Fathers. Instead, Davis encourages middle schoolers and older students to use this work as an additional lens to better comprehend the time period and contribute to an improved understanding of current racial tensions. Davis does not disappoint with this title. Compulsively readable, this book follows the narratives of Billy Lee, Ona Judge, Isaac Granger, Paul Jennings, and Alfred Jackson, enhanced with historical context and insight. A time line before each chapter grounds readers in the history without overwhelming them with information. Images serve to complement the text effectively, and an index will make this text useful for research. While this entry is satisfying in its entirety, teachers can easily incorporate sections of the text into the curriculum or have students read different portions. VERDICT This is a must-have selection for any library collection to present alternative takes on history.-Paige Rowse, Needham High School, MA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 1, 2016
Grades 7-10 *Starred Review* This well-researched book offers a chronological history of slavery in America and features five enslaved people and the four U.S. presidents who owned them. George Washington's trusted valet, Billy Lee, served at his side throughout the Revolutionary War and was freed at his death. Martha Washington's personal maid and seamstress, Ona Judge, escaped and fled to New Hampshire. Born into slavery at Jefferson's Monticello, Isaac Granger recalled life there in an oral account that was later published. Similarly, Paul Jennings' reminiscences provide insights into his life with the Madisons in the White House and at Montpelier. Alfred Jackson lived in slavery at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage. Always referring to enslaved people rather than slaves, Davis organizes a great deal of factual material, personal accounts, and quotes into a very readable history book. Ties to familiar historical figures give the information about the five lesser-known African Americans a greater sense of context. In turn, the book offers a particularly realistic and nuanced view of these presidents. The illustrations include black-and-white reproductions of paintings, prints, and photos of artifacts and historic sites. A valuable, broad perspective on slavery, paired with close-up views of individuals who benefited from it and those who endured it.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2017
Davis brings to light the stories of five enslaved individuals who were considered the property of four well-known presidents, raising provocative questions along the way. Timelines, overviews of significant political moments, and primary-source images provide further context. Davis's solid research, accessible prose, and determination to make these stories known give young readers an important alternative to textbook representations of colonial life. Bib., ind.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2016
Best known for his Don't Know Much About History titles, Davis here presents another view of the American past, bringing to light the stories of five enslaved individuals who were considered the property of four well-known presidents. After a succinct overview of African chattel slavery in the United States, Davis moves into chapters featuring Billy Lee and Ona Judge, enslaved members of George Washington's household. Adroitly weaving what is known of Lee (Washington's lifelong manservant) and Judge (Martha Washington's chambermaid, whose successful escape infuriated the country's first leader) into more commonly known history, Davis gives them voice while also painting a nuanced portrait of Washington. Moving on to the even more complex Thomas Jefferson, we learn not just of Sally Hemings but of Isaac Granger, too, another of Mr. Jefferson's people. Davis concludes with accounts of Paul Jennings, an enslaved servant of the Madisons, and Alfred, who spent his life toiling for Andrew Jackson. Along the way, Davis raises provocative questions. Are statements giving a positive impression of a slave master sincere or made under duress, to avoid punishment? What are we to make of slavery-advocate Jackson paying Alfred's hefty legal fees when he was on trial for murder? Timelines, overviews of significant political moments, and primary-source images provide further context. Davis's solid research (there are source notes and bibliographies for each chapter), accessible prose, and determination to make these stories known give young readers an important alternative to textbook representations of colonial life. Index unseen. monica edinger

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)