45 pages • 1 hour read
All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley's Sack, a Black Family Keepsake
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Book Brief
416
Biography • Nonfiction
United States • 19th century
2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
All That She Carried by Tiya Miles traces the story of three generations of women linked by an antique cotton sack embroidered with their tale: Rose, who packed it with essentials for her daughter Ashley sold away into slavery; Ashley, who received it; and Ruth, Ashley's granddaughter, who embroidered their story in 1921, highlighting their resilience through enslavement, emancipation, and beyond. The book addresses the horrific experiences of violence and trauma endured by enslaved individuals.
Informative
Emotional
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
8,270 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
All That She Carried by Tiya Miles has garnered praise for its meticulous research and powerful narrative that interweaves history with personal stories. Readers appreciate its emotional depth and the spotlight it casts on African American heritage. However, some have noted that the dense historical context can occasionally overshadow individual stories. Overall, it’s a poignant and enlightening read.
Who Should Read All That She Carried?
Readers who appreciate richly detailed historical narratives with a focus on African American women's experiences will find All That She Carried by Tiya Miles compelling. Comparable to The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson, it appeals to those who are drawn to in-depth explorations of personal histories within a broader sociocultural context.
8,270 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Rose
Rose
An enslaved woman and mother of Ashley, she worked in the Martin household as a skilled domestic servant. At approximately 34 years old, she packed a sack for her daughter before being separated from her, disappearing from records after her owner's death.
Ashley
Ashley
The young daughter of Rose, who was sold away from the Martin estate at the age of nine. She is connected to future generations through the sack her mother packed for her, with family ties to South Carolina indicated by her descendants.
Ruth Middleton
Ruth Middleton
Granddaughter of Ashley and inheritor of Ashley’s Sack, she embroidered an inscription on the textile in 1921. An active socialite in Philadelphia, she worked as a domestic helper, engaged in community activities, and was a confirmed member of an Episcopal church before her untimely death.
416
Biography • Nonfiction
United States • 19th century
2021
Adult
18+ years
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