Bullwhip Days: The Slaves Remember: An Oral History

This was very interesting and easy to read. I couldn't put it down. I got angry in some places and laughed at others.

Great book to read

I think this should be a must-read for everyone, even in schools. There's nothing quite like hearing about an era and such a horrid time as the years and years of slavery but from the horse's mouth. Some of the stories are incredible, sorrowful, infuriating and unbelievable. How the white man could treat the black slaves in the manner that some of them did is so disheartening and shameful. I'm half ashamed to say I'm white after reading this. I find it interesting how some of the slaves liked being left to live on their master's property after they were freed. They had nothing after they were freed, no food, shelter, money and were intimidated into not voting. Living and working as sharecroppers at least gave them something small to live off of and be able to eat and have clothing. Of course, not all white plantation or farmers were as fair as others. Many black people were cheated out of their earnings.This is not an easy read for two very different reasons. The first is that to read how some of these slaves were treated is so very difficult, I had tears in my eyes and felt shame for what was brought upon these people. The second reason is that this book's narration is written in the way the people interviewed actually talked, their dialect. This makes it a slower read. Some words are tough to make out.Something to think about is that these former slaves were still living during the 1930s and 40s. My father was born in 1928, my mother in 1932. I never thought of former slaves being alive in that era. That doesn't make it all so far removed. I was born in 1963. My great great grandfather was born around the time of the Civil War. I find that a bit amazing! That's not that many generations ago for me. Things were so difficult for the black man after the war and continued and still continues to be hard. I think people need to sit and contemplate these things.I do recommend this book,but it does need an editor, not for the words of the former slaves, but for non-use of apostrophes in possessive words, spacing issues, colons appearing at odd places and such.

This is one of the most important books I have read as an American adult male of African decent. American slavery will forever be a blight on her history. The effects of slavery and Jim Crow can still be seen and felt today. As a young black man from the great state of Mississippi, I was fortunate enough to be raised by parents who were born in the Jim Crow south (Mississippi & Alabama) who did not teach me about race. I didn't know I was black until the third grade. The one negative aspect of the upbringing free of color, was the my indifference to my ancestral history. This book brought many things into perspective. It showed me how blessed I am to be alive in this certain time in this country. The pain, joy, sorrow, and laughter of the narrators leap off the page at you. The way they convey their stories show how slavery really was a long lasting curse on this country. I'm glad somebody had the idea to document their stories and record them for all time. Being fortunate enough to know a large portion of my family tree (up to my 3rd great grandparents on both sides), this book has helped me realize my place in the history of America. As the married father of 5 children (who also happen to be black) and a U.S. Marine I hope to continue to be the embodiment of the hope of freedom these slaves had. This book is a must have for all history buffs and those who want to know more about the heritage of this country. This is not a black heritage book neither is it a black history book. It is an American history book.

This is my third copy. I loan it to students after I do presentations during Black History month. I have done this since my sons were young. I tell them what I saw growing up in rural Georgia. The can't believe the stories of separate bathrooms and water fountains and schools. But the personal stories hit home. I remind them it was not that long ago and we still have so far to go and then I read from this book.It captured the words of slaves as they told their story. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to do a real study of American history and for the sociology of it. It has been said that it takes 500 years to undo the damage of slavery. I am not sure if that is true but read the stories and surely the mistrust and fear are passed down and do not go away quickly.

Bullwhip Days should be required reading for all Americans. Let me share a story: As a graduate student, I took a seminar in American literature. One mature student in the class let it be known early on that he was an MD taking courses in contemplation of a career change. I suppose he thought he might make a better professor. Whatever the case, our readings were diverse and our focus was how American literature represents the nation's growing industrialization and individualism. The MD was pleased with his progress until we read Frederick Douglass's classic slave narrative. At this he sneered--pronounced it beneath his consideration. Among other things, he said, "I don't know why we're wasting time on this." Like Justice Tawny, the MD decided a black man had no ideas, no experience, no humanity that he was bound to respect. Because such racial arrogance yet exists, Bullwhip Days (and Frederick Douglass's Autobiography of an American Slave) should be required reading for all. Any human being who can read these 'as-told-to' Depression era slave narratives without compassion and some measure of intellectual growth should have read them much earlier in life--and most certainly should not be practicing medicine on human beings or professing to others at the front of a classroom.

It is a great book the stories make you bond with the teller and bring them to life in read this book many years ago and could not wait to read it again

So glad I purchased this book. So many different perspectives are documented to understand and appreciate what so many experienced not so long ago.

A great book. So happy I found it.

. Great read...Some very courageous people. . I would recommend every young person read this and learn from it. This history should be known regardless if some people find it difficult to digest.