The Autobiography of James L. Smith

By James L. Smith

Book Overview

Born into slavery in Virginia, James Smith grew up knowing great cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses. Always longing for freedom, as a young man he was able to make a daring escape.Once in the north, he made a life for himself, married and raised a family, continued his education, and keenly observed the changing world around him as America came to blows in the Civil War.After the war, he made a trip back to Virginia, reuniting with siblings he had not seen in decades:"My joy and excitement rose to such a height, that I scarcely knew whether I was in the body or out."He even had an astonishingly warm visit with a former owner who brought him in to dinner.Of the plight of African-Americans post-emancipation, Smith observed objectively: "But, say you, the day of trial is over, the stream of sympathy may be dried up because of the nominal freedom that has been vouchsafed. I say to you nay my whole race is yet in peril, and God only knows the end."For the first time, this long-out-of-print book is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones.Be sure to LOOK INSIDE or download a sample.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1973466511
• ISBN13: 9781973466512
• Release Date: December 2017
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"