Israel on the Appomattox
Israel on the Appomattox
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2004
Book Brief
640
Biography • Nonfiction
Virginia • 19th century
2004
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Israel on the Appomattox by Melvin Patrick Ely chronicles the history of Israel Hill, a community of free Black individuals in Virginia from the 1790s through the Civil War. The narrative explores the lives of the community's members, whose freedom was initiated by the will of Richard Randolph, and their resilience amid societal and legal challenges in a predominantly slaveholding state.
Informative
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Melancholic
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
186 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Israel on the Appomattox by Melvin Patrick Ely offers a deeply researched exploration of freed African Americans in pre-Civil War Virginia. Critics commend Ely's meticulous scholarship and vivid storytelling, though some note the dense detail may overwhelm casual readers. Overall, it’s praised for illuminating a lesser-known chapter of American history with rigor and empathy.
Who Should Read Israel on the Appomattox?
A reader fascinated by American history, particularly African American and Southern history, would enjoy Melvin Patrick Ely's Israel on the Appomattox. Comparable to those who appreciate Edward Baptist's The Half Has Never Been Told and Annette Gordon-Reed's The Hemingses of Monticello, this book delves into the lives of free African Americans in the antebellum South.
186 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
640
Biography • Nonfiction
Virginia • 19th century
2004
Adult
18+ years
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