Historian William McFeely; Pulitzer Prize winner in 1982 for "Grant: A Biography" explores America's history of slavery and reconstruction by recreating the rich but troubled past of the people of Sapelo; a low-lying barrier island off the coast of Georgia. The 67 people living there are all descendants of slaves who once worked its huge cotton plantation; slaves who made the brutal Middle Passage from Africa. Based on family records and interviews with the inhabitants; this text traces the lives of their forebears: among them Bilali; the Muslim slave who left a manuscript written in Arabic when he died; his daughters and grandchildren who were forcibly evacuated by the plantation owner and marched into the interior of Georgia when the Union Navy threatened the coast during the Civil War; and March Carter and James Lemon; who ran away to join the Union army and fight for freedom.
#16941 in Books Doubleday 2016-11-15 2016-11-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.60 x 1.45 x 6.50l; 1.25 #File Name: 038552336X400 pagesDoubleday
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Best book I read in 2016.By L. GoughOne of few books I didn't buy on ; I wanted to write about it because it is such a great read. Tons of fascinating backstory here. Bellevue has a unique identity among hospitals and this book explains why. You will gain insight into the history of New York City; and effects of the various waves of immigration upon the growth of NC. Also; the author offers concise; riveting descriptions of the development of public health. An account of why Bellevue's devotion to indigent patients gave its staff the expertise to overcome its perpetual lack of funding. This book is a delight to read; and I will now turn to the author's earlier book; Polio.12 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful History of a Classic HospitalBy Dr. Terrence McGartyMy grandmother worked at Bellevue in the early 1900s and for a variety of reasons I have been back and forth for some seventy years. In the mid 50s it resembles a classic 19th Century insane asylum with poorly kept facilities. Today it is exemplary. It is one of the classic public hospitals and remains that way; serving a broad spectrum of patients.The book is wonderfully written in that it gives both a history of Bellevue as well as the development of the other hospitals in New York. Each had their historical beginnings in a religious group from Protestant to Catholic to Jewish. But it was Bellevue which managed to have its doors open to all.The author presents this up and down history in an exceptionally readable manner and places it in context with the other institutions in New York. This is definitely a worthwhile read for those interested in New York as well as the development of health care.36 of 37 people found the following review helpful. I loved this bookBy Karen AndersonOshinsky's writing is clear; cohesive and compassionate. I loved this book. My only connection to the subject matter was living in New York for 15 years (25 years ago) and never paying attention to the hospital. If you have any interest at all in the history of NYC; hospitals; medicine; social programs; government corruption; advancements in medical research; disease control or decades of devoted service; read this book. Get engrossed; get enlightened; get educated. You'll also get entertained.
