BOOK BRIEF

The Devil's Half Acre: The Untold Story of How One Woman Liberated the South's Most Notorious Slave Jail

Kristen Green
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The Devil's Half Acre: The Untold Story of How One Woman Liberated the South's Most Notorious Slave Jail

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2022

Book Brief

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Kristen Green

The Devil's Half Acre: The Untold Story of How One Woman Liberated the South's Most Notorious Slave Jail

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2022
Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre
Southern Literature

Biography
Setting

Richmond, Virginia • 1800s

Topic
Race & Racism

Military & War

Social Justice
Publication Year

2022

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Devil's Half Acre: The Untold Story of How One Woman Liberated the South's Most Notorious Slave Jail by Kristen Green highlights the courageous journey of Mary Lumpkin, an enslaved woman who transformed a notorious Virginia slave jail into a center for education and liberation. The narrative explores her resilience and efforts toward justice and freedom in the antebellum South.

Informative

Inspirational

Emotional

Dark

Gritty

Reviews & Readership

3.6

834 ratings

53%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

14%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Kristen Green's The Devil's Half Acre is praised for its thorough research and captivating narrative uncovering the story of Mary Lumpkin. It sheds light on a grim aspect of history with empathy. Some critiques note potential overemphasis on Green's personal journey, which may detract from the core historical focus. Overall, it's a powerful exploration of resilience and liberation.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Devil's Half Acre: The Untold Story of How One Woman Liberated the South's Most Notorious Slave Jail?

A reader drawn to The Devil's Half Acre likely enjoys untold historical narratives and powerful biographical stories. Fans of The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed or Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly would appreciate the book's in-depth look at resilience and transformation through a marginalized perspective.

3.6

834 ratings

53%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

14%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre
Southern Literature

Biography
Setting

Richmond, Virginia • 1800s

Topic
Race & Racism

Military & War

Social Justice
Publication Year

2022

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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