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  • Slaves in the Family

  • Written by: Edward Ball
  • Narrated by: Edward Ball
  • Length: 20 hrs and 16 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

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Slaves in the Family

Written by: Edward Ball
Narrated by: Edward Ball
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Publisher's Summary

This program is read by the author.

Twenty years after this celebrated work of narrative nonfiction won the National Book Award and changed the American conversation about race, Slaves in the Family makes its audio debut, with a new preface by the author. 

The Ball family hails from South Carolina - Charleston and thereabouts. Their plantations were among the oldest and longest-standing plantations in the South. Between 1698 and 1865, close to 4,000 Black people were born into slavery under the Balls or were bought by them.

In Slaves in the Family, Edward Ball recounts his efforts to track down and meet the descendants of his family's slaves. Part historical narrative, part oral history, part personal story of investigation and catharsis, Slaves in the Family is, in the words of Pat Conroy, "a work of breathtaking generosity and courage, a magnificent study of the complexity and strangeness and beauty of the word ‘family.'" 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©1998, 2014 Text copyright Edward Ball, Preface copyright Edward Ball (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

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Mr. Ball shows great courage

Being of African American/white Canadian heritage this was very intriguing as I learn about my people and what they endured. Very educational for people like me. I am so amazed at Mr. Ball’s courage to acknowledge the lives of both families.

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