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The Senator and the Socialite: The True Story of America's First Black Dynasty
This is the true story of America's first black dynasty. The years after the Civil War represented an astonishing moment of opportunity for African-Americans. The rush to build a racially democratic society from the ruins of slavery is never more evident than in the personal history of Blanche Kelso Bruce and his heirs.
Born a slave in 1841, Bruce became a local Mississippi sheriff, developed a growing Republican power base, amassed a real-estate fortune, and became the first black to serve a full Senate term. He married Josephine Willson, the daughter of a wealthy black Philadelphia doctor. Together they broke racial barriers as a socialite couple in 1880s Washington, D.C.
By befriending President Ulysses S. Grant, abolitionist Frederick Douglass, and a cadre of liberal black and white Republicans, Bruce spent six years in the U.S. Senate, then gained appointments under four presidents (Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, and McKinley), culminating with a top Treasury post, which placed his name on all U.S. currency.
During Reconstruction, the Bruce family entertained lavishly in their two Washington town houses and acquired an 800-acre plantation, homes in four states, and a fortune that allowed their son and grandchildren to attend Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University, beginning in 1896.
The Senator's legacy would continue with his son, Roscoe, who became both a protégé of Booker T. Washington and a superintendent of Washington, D.C.'s segregated schools. When the family moved to New York in the 1920s and formed an alliance with John D. Rockefeller Jr., the Bruces became an enviable force in Harlem society. Their public battle to get their grandson admitted into Harvard University's segregated dormitories elicited the support of people like W. E. B. Du Bois and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and broke brave new ground for blacks of their day.
But in the end, the Bruce dynasty's wealth and stature would disappear when the Senator's grandson landed in prison following a sensational trial and his Radcliffe-educated granddaughter married a black Hollywood actor who passed for white.
By drawing on Senate records, historic documents, and the personal letters of Senator Bruce, Josephine, their colleagues, friends, children, and grandchildren, author Lawrence Otis Graham weaves a riveting social history that spans 120 years. From Mississippi to Washington, D.C., to New York, The Senator and the Socialite provides a fascinating look into the history of race and class in America.
Born a slave in 1841, Bruce became a local Mississippi sheriff, developed a growing Republican power base, amassed a real-estate fortune, and became the first black to serve a full Senate term. He married Josephine Willson, the daughter of a wealthy black Philadelphia doctor. Together they broke racial barriers as a socialite couple in 1880s Washington, D.C.
By befriending President Ulysses S. Grant, abolitionist Frederick Douglass, and a cadre of liberal black and white Republicans, Bruce spent six years in the U.S. Senate, then gained appointments under four presidents (Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, and McKinley), culminating with a top Treasury post, which placed his name on all U.S. currency.
During Reconstruction, the Bruce family entertained lavishly in their two Washington town houses and acquired an 800-acre plantation, homes in four states, and a fortune that allowed their son and grandchildren to attend Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University, beginning in 1896.
The Senator's legacy would continue with his son, Roscoe, who became both a protégé of Booker T. Washington and a superintendent of Washington, D.C.'s segregated schools. When the family moved to New York in the 1920s and formed an alliance with John D. Rockefeller Jr., the Bruces became an enviable force in Harlem society. Their public battle to get their grandson admitted into Harvard University's segregated dormitories elicited the support of people like W. E. B. Du Bois and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and broke brave new ground for blacks of their day.
But in the end, the Bruce dynasty's wealth and stature would disappear when the Senator's grandson landed in prison following a sensational trial and his Radcliffe-educated granddaughter married a black Hollywood actor who passed for white.
By drawing on Senate records, historic documents, and the personal letters of Senator Bruce, Josephine, their colleagues, friends, children, and grandchildren, author Lawrence Otis Graham weaves a riveting social history that spans 120 years. From Mississippi to Washington, D.C., to New York, The Senator and the Socialite provides a fascinating look into the history of race and class in America.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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796 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Otis Graham
10 books58 followersLawrence Otis Graham was an American attorney, political analyst, cultural influencer and celebrated New York Times best-selling author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 7, 2020
You've probably never heard of Blanche Bruce. I know I hadn't until I bought this book. Which is odd given the importance this man has in American history. In 1874 Blanche Bruce became the first black person elected to serve a full Senate term. That was an amazing accomplishment for a man who was born a slave. Hell that's an impressive feat even today, given that since Blanche Bruce there have only been 9 black people elected to the U.S. Senate.
You read that right in 146 years only 10 black people have been elected to the U.S. Senate!
But given how America treats black people I'm actually surprised we had that many.
The Bruce family were a BIG deal in post Reconstruction America. They were close friends with President Ulysses S. Grant and Blanche Bruce became the first black person to have his name printed on U.S. money while he was working as a register at the treasury department. The Bruce family were multimillionaires and they had a lot of power. Power they never used to help other black people. In fact Blanche and his wife Josephine thought they were too good for others in their race. The Bruce' mostly kept their distance from fellow blacks preferring to pal around with white people. While in the Senate Blanche refused to speak out against Jim Crow Laws and he only under extreme pressure spoke out against the epidemic of lynching happening at the time.
The Bruce family's treatment of fellow blacks is the main reason you've probably never heard of them. The Bruce family was broke and begging for help from the black community within 60 years. As you can understand the black community wasn't interested in helping a family that had no time for them when they were on top.
So where are the descendants of the Bruce family today?
They are living in middle America passing as white folks. They refused to attend the Senate unveiling of Blanche's Senate portrait in 2002.
Despite my loathing of this vile family, I enjoyed this book. Lawrence Otis Graham weaves a remarkable tale that is never boring. This book is not only about the history of one family. It is the history of America.
A must read!
You read that right in 146 years only 10 black people have been elected to the U.S. Senate!
But given how America treats black people I'm actually surprised we had that many.
The Bruce family were a BIG deal in post Reconstruction America. They were close friends with President Ulysses S. Grant and Blanche Bruce became the first black person to have his name printed on U.S. money while he was working as a register at the treasury department. The Bruce family were multimillionaires and they had a lot of power. Power they never used to help other black people. In fact Blanche and his wife Josephine thought they were too good for others in their race. The Bruce' mostly kept their distance from fellow blacks preferring to pal around with white people. While in the Senate Blanche refused to speak out against Jim Crow Laws and he only under extreme pressure spoke out against the epidemic of lynching happening at the time.
The Bruce family's treatment of fellow blacks is the main reason you've probably never heard of them. The Bruce family was broke and begging for help from the black community within 60 years. As you can understand the black community wasn't interested in helping a family that had no time for them when they were on top.
So where are the descendants of the Bruce family today?
They are living in middle America passing as white folks. They refused to attend the Senate unveiling of Blanche's Senate portrait in 2002.
Despite my loathing of this vile family, I enjoyed this book. Lawrence Otis Graham weaves a remarkable tale that is never boring. This book is not only about the history of one family. It is the history of America.
A must read!
April 19, 2014
I enjoyed learning about this man. Surprised to not have known of him before.
March 17, 2015
The Senator and the Socialite is the true story of Blanche K. Bruce, a Mississippian who was the first elected black senator to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate. In the book, Graham chronicles the Bruce family’s rise to prominence during the 19th Century, a time when blacks were truly on the bottom rungs of society. Graham also relates the story of the family’s subsequent decline in the 20th Century.
As a black Mississippian, I’d heard of Bruce before reading this book. He was one of the famous names that Mississippi school children hear about as they’re growing up and learning about state history. But I’d never read more than paragraph about him, even in grad school. When I first noticed this book on my mother’s dresser, I couldn’t pass up the chance to read a whole book about not just Bruce but also his family.
The Senator and the Socialite starts off great. It’s historical non-fiction, but it’s certainly not a dry read. Graham is a very capable writer. As expected, I learned a ton of new stuff. For example, I had no idea that Mississippi has had a black Lt. Governor. Alexander K. Davis served as Lt. Governor under Adelbert Ames. Even more amazing is that Davis and Ames were elected in November 1873.
The more I read about Bruce and his wife, Josephine, the more I didn’t like them, which is something I hate to admit. They both seemed extremely opportunistic, and there doesn’t seem to be any justifiable reason for it. They both wanted to acquire and hold onto power, even when it meant neglecting their extended family. When I think of historical figures who accomplished great things, I tend to think of them as having pure reasons for their actions, and I find myself holding them to a kind of lofty ideal. When I read accounts like what’s in The Senator and the Socialite, it brings these people down to reality, and I realize that they were humans with flaws, like the rest of us. I guess that can be both a good and bad thing.
Unfortunately, my dislike for the Bruces isn’t limited to Blanche and Josephine. I feel the same about Roscoe, their son, though, his personality isn’t totally his own fault. His parents were often so busy with their own professional and social obligations that they didn’t spend any time with their kid. It’s heartbreaking to read about how he wanted to get to know them, how he yearned for closeness with them, but they just weren’t there for him emotionally.
In Chapter 15, we finally get an instance where Roscoe doesn’t seem like a snob. Josephine wanted him to marry someone from a wealthier family so that problems wouldn’t arise due to mismatched financial backgrounds. Her brother’s first wife was a woman from a family of more modest means than theirs, and when they split, she took everything he had - literally. The woman took all his possessions. Josephine didn’t want Roscoe to succumb to the same fate. But Roscoe didn’t budge. He wanted Clara, even though her family was middle class and not as wealthy as the Bruces.
As I began Chapter 15, I thought that Roscoe may have matured and turned over a new leaf, but my thoughts were premature. Right before his marriage to Clara, he was such an brat about the wedding and who was supposed to pay for it. He wanted a grand wedding but he wasn’t willing to help Clara’s family pay for it, even though they couldn’t afford all the things he demanded. I’ve never heard the term groomzilla, which would be the male version of a bridezilla, but I would say Roscoe definitely qualified. He wouldn’t help pay for the wedding, and he was unwilling to postpone it so that Clara’s family could save some more money for it. Also, he made Clara leave school to marry him and suggested that she was immoral for wanting to postpone so that she could finish. What a jerk!
Josephine had at least one moment of redemption, too. In Chapter 16, she decided to pay her workers, going against the advice of her asshat brother-in-law. So the Bruces weren’t totally opportunistic about everything. To be fair, the Bruces aren’t the only ones who seemed less shiny to me by the time I finished the book. Through the accounts that Graham decides to include, he also manages to make Booker T. Washington seem like a cretin.
Final Opinion
While it was certainly interesting to read about this extraordinary family, I can’t help but feel sad about the outcome. In a way, even the modern family doesn’t leave any hope for a happy ending for the “dynasty”. Nearly all of the Bruce descendants have disappeared or have chosen to obscure their family ties to the family. Some of the descendants live as white people and refuse to acknowledge ties due to racial reasons. And many of the family members who look black don’t necessarily feel the need to embrace the family history.
Honestly, my opinion of Bruce and his family kept declining throughout the book, and they never really were able to redeem themselves to what my opinion of them had been prior to reading the book. Granted, prior to reading the book, I’d known very little about them, but I’d had a positive perception because of Blanche Bruce’s role in the history of Mississippi and the nation. The Senator and the Socialite was a great book, but the story it tells is overwhelmingly sad.
As a black Mississippian, I’d heard of Bruce before reading this book. He was one of the famous names that Mississippi school children hear about as they’re growing up and learning about state history. But I’d never read more than paragraph about him, even in grad school. When I first noticed this book on my mother’s dresser, I couldn’t pass up the chance to read a whole book about not just Bruce but also his family.
The Senator and the Socialite starts off great. It’s historical non-fiction, but it’s certainly not a dry read. Graham is a very capable writer. As expected, I learned a ton of new stuff. For example, I had no idea that Mississippi has had a black Lt. Governor. Alexander K. Davis served as Lt. Governor under Adelbert Ames. Even more amazing is that Davis and Ames were elected in November 1873.
The more I read about Bruce and his wife, Josephine, the more I didn’t like them, which is something I hate to admit. They both seemed extremely opportunistic, and there doesn’t seem to be any justifiable reason for it. They both wanted to acquire and hold onto power, even when it meant neglecting their extended family. When I think of historical figures who accomplished great things, I tend to think of them as having pure reasons for their actions, and I find myself holding them to a kind of lofty ideal. When I read accounts like what’s in The Senator and the Socialite, it brings these people down to reality, and I realize that they were humans with flaws, like the rest of us. I guess that can be both a good and bad thing.
Unfortunately, my dislike for the Bruces isn’t limited to Blanche and Josephine. I feel the same about Roscoe, their son, though, his personality isn’t totally his own fault. His parents were often so busy with their own professional and social obligations that they didn’t spend any time with their kid. It’s heartbreaking to read about how he wanted to get to know them, how he yearned for closeness with them, but they just weren’t there for him emotionally.
In Chapter 15, we finally get an instance where Roscoe doesn’t seem like a snob. Josephine wanted him to marry someone from a wealthier family so that problems wouldn’t arise due to mismatched financial backgrounds. Her brother’s first wife was a woman from a family of more modest means than theirs, and when they split, she took everything he had - literally. The woman took all his possessions. Josephine didn’t want Roscoe to succumb to the same fate. But Roscoe didn’t budge. He wanted Clara, even though her family was middle class and not as wealthy as the Bruces.
As I began Chapter 15, I thought that Roscoe may have matured and turned over a new leaf, but my thoughts were premature. Right before his marriage to Clara, he was such an brat about the wedding and who was supposed to pay for it. He wanted a grand wedding but he wasn’t willing to help Clara’s family pay for it, even though they couldn’t afford all the things he demanded. I’ve never heard the term groomzilla, which would be the male version of a bridezilla, but I would say Roscoe definitely qualified. He wouldn’t help pay for the wedding, and he was unwilling to postpone it so that Clara’s family could save some more money for it. Also, he made Clara leave school to marry him and suggested that she was immoral for wanting to postpone so that she could finish. What a jerk!
Josephine had at least one moment of redemption, too. In Chapter 16, she decided to pay her workers, going against the advice of her asshat brother-in-law. So the Bruces weren’t totally opportunistic about everything. To be fair, the Bruces aren’t the only ones who seemed less shiny to me by the time I finished the book. Through the accounts that Graham decides to include, he also manages to make Booker T. Washington seem like a cretin.
Final Opinion
While it was certainly interesting to read about this extraordinary family, I can’t help but feel sad about the outcome. In a way, even the modern family doesn’t leave any hope for a happy ending for the “dynasty”. Nearly all of the Bruce descendants have disappeared or have chosen to obscure their family ties to the family. Some of the descendants live as white people and refuse to acknowledge ties due to racial reasons. And many of the family members who look black don’t necessarily feel the need to embrace the family history.
Honestly, my opinion of Bruce and his family kept declining throughout the book, and they never really were able to redeem themselves to what my opinion of them had been prior to reading the book. Granted, prior to reading the book, I’d known very little about them, but I’d had a positive perception because of Blanche Bruce’s role in the history of Mississippi and the nation. The Senator and the Socialite was a great book, but the story it tells is overwhelmingly sad.
August 12, 2015
Wow. One of the best books I have ever read. This book has everything: a lot of history, a great story, and so many things to really make you think. The people of the Bruce dynasty are very polarizing people. They're elitist and condescending on one hand, but also live in a very difficult period that is full of racism and limited opportunities. They are also a part of a really small circle of the "black elite" so not many people can really relate to their struggles, and it's not a perspective that I've heard that often.
It's a thick book and kind of a slower read if you want to take it all in, but I loved every moment.
It's a thick book and kind of a slower read if you want to take it all in, but I loved every moment.
February 15, 2008
Wonderful book, wonderful writer, disturbing conclusion. It begins well, first full term Black senator Blanch K. Bruce gathers wealth and power but ends horribly with a grandson going to jail and his own son dying poor and unknown. Graham is a gifted story teller who makes all the numbers and facts fun and informative.
November 23, 2010
Blanche Bruce of Mississippi was the first black elected to a full term in the U.S. Senate. But, unlike say Frederick Douglass, he doesn't come off as a terribly inspiring figure, since he seemed to be more focused during his time in Reconstruction with building a family dynasty and ensuring federal appointments. His descendants do even worse, and reminded me of Thurgood Marshall's barely veiled criticism of Clarence Thomas that "there's no difference between a white snake and a black snake. They'll both bite...."
April 2, 2010
Interesting story, to a degree, but unfortunately not told well. As a historian Mr. Graham has his research and sources down pack, anyone into history, in particular Black history and the Reconstruction era, will love the backdrop he paints. However, not really sure there was enough to make a story out of, or perhaps he just did not choose or craft the stories well. A lot of repetition of fact, and when you see that, it tends to tell me there's not a lot of story here. If this subject matter is of interests, then I high recommend reading "Sweet Hell Inside."
May 16, 2013
I think this book is fabulous -- providing inspiring to dispiriting views of human nature, inclusion, exclusion, and the decisions we make. The exquisite relationship between family, personality and social convention is well-supported by a solid academic framework. The Cast of Characters in front, Timeline in back provided steady and loyal guidance throughout the growth and development of the family tree. Our book club questioned the use of the term 'dynasty' in the subtitle, one of many potentially juicy discussions inherent. Enjoy, and be wiser.
May 25, 2012
To this day there have only been six black American members of the United States Senate, five elected. Only three have served full-terms. The six are Revels (R) Mississippi, Blanche Kelso Bruce (R) Mississippi [full-term], Washington, DC’s own Edward Brooke (R) Massachusetts [full-term, 2], Carol Mosley Braun (D) Illinois [full-term], Barack Obama (D) Illinois (vacated his seat when he won the 2008 Presidential race), Roland Burris (D) Illinois (filled seat vacated by Obama).
May 27, 2015
It took me forever to get through this! The book has a lot of information in it. This families story should have made a difference in lives of black Americans, but like most politicians they were out of touch with the common man and only looked out for their best interest and so instead of changing things for the better they made things worse! The book is dry, but worth the read!
August 15, 2007
such an interesting book on America's first black dynasty... blanche bruce went from slavery to the first african american to be elected into senate, then the treasury... beyond amazing that a former slave was now signing every dollar bill in the united states.
September 15, 2008
Very interesting and informative about Reconstruction America, Post reconstruction politics & the Black Elite
February 1, 2009
We had an African-American Senator, born a slave in 1841, that served his full term (six years in office), in 1880.
Read
March 21, 2013I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone looking to acquire a better understanding of black politicians post-reconstruction.
May 17, 2021
The author obviously went to a lot of time researching this book and it shows. Especially since it seems as if he was not able to talk with any descendants of the Bruces.
I learned so much about the history of the reverses that came after Reconstruction and how the hope of equality for blacks was pushed backward politically and socially after the Compromise of 1877. The decisions that Blanche Bruce and his descendants made were sometimes difficult to understand, but I cannot say what I would have done under the same circumstances.
This would have been a 5 star rating but the book could have used some severe editing. There was a lot of repetition of descriptions of relationships and situations. In some ways, it read like a term paper. But it was worth the read for the historical insight.
I learned so much about the history of the reverses that came after Reconstruction and how the hope of equality for blacks was pushed backward politically and socially after the Compromise of 1877. The decisions that Blanche Bruce and his descendants made were sometimes difficult to understand, but I cannot say what I would have done under the same circumstances.
This would have been a 5 star rating but the book could have used some severe editing. There was a lot of repetition of descriptions of relationships and situations. In some ways, it read like a term paper. But it was worth the read for the historical insight.
October 7, 2021
The book told the important story of the first black U S Senator from Mississippi elected during Reconstruction. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel that I got to know Blanche Bruce or his wife Josephine by reading this book. However, I learned a lot about Reconstruction and Redemption and areas of the country. At times, the author included too many names and details and repeated some details, but overall it was a good story from 1841 through the 1960s and three generations of the Bruce family. The patriarch never really took strong stands on issues, instead preferring to stay off of ‘radar screens’ of elitist black and whites of his time. I learned many things about Booker T Washington and Tuskegee and the time Josephine and Roscoe Sr spent there. It was such a sad ending for the family to wind up in ruin in three generations.
February 12, 2020
Fascinating tale of the story of U.S. Senator Blanche (a former slave from Mississippi) his rise to power, and the challenges that he, his wife and his descendants faced; issues that they faced in spite of and because of their vaunted position should be remembered.
It is troubling that so many of his direct descendants are still alive but will not claim him.
It is troubling that so many of his direct descendants are still alive but will not claim him.
September 5, 2024
Enlightening book but it went in great detail (more to my liking) in the personal politics. I guess it is good if you wanted to learn more about Bruce specifically but i would have liked a broader perspective on the era.
September 21, 2018
Easy to follow story of Senator Blanche Bruce, Reconstruction politician, his wife, and their son.
March 8, 2022
Very interesting, not as compelling a read as i like.
April 21, 2023
I learned so much. Definitely glad I invested time ro learn about this family. Highly recommend.
September 4, 2023
A fascinating chapter of American history that I know wasn’t covered in school for most folks, loved all the family drama and everything involved with building and then losing generational wealth
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2012
A historical account of a little known fact – Blanche K. Bruce was born a slave in 1841 and rose to become the 1st African-American man to serve a full term in the United States Senate. He also served as Register of the Treasury; both high-ranking government positions that provided significant wealth and prestige. Together with his wife, Josephine, they produced a son, Roscoe C. Bruce Sr., who with his wife Clara, produced a son, Roscoe C. Bruce Jr., who eventually – through his overblown ego, and entitlement issues – shamed the Bruce family name.
Political, social, and financial progress made by African-Americans during Reconstruction had come to a grinding halt when the South took control of the country’s political landscape, and after the death of the patriarch, Blanche, the son and grandson splurged the family’s fortune in an effort to “keep up with the Jones’.” Blanche’s political connections were no longer viable resources for Roscoe Sr. who later found himself begging the Rockefeller family for employment as manager of Harlem’s Dunbar Apartments; a relationship that would also suffer due to Roscoe Jr’s illegal activities.
Sadly, Blanche K. Bruce was a man who worked tirelessly to build a life for his family, but not to improve life for his constituency. He didn’t stand firm on issues that he knew were important because he was more concerned with maintaining his connections and stature – in essence, he was a coward. Roscoe Sr. who directly benefited from his father’s wealth and privilege became a highly educated, self-aggrandizing, greedy, selfish snob who sought prominence based on his father’s position in government. Roscoe Jr. grew to be a petty criminal who served jail time. Both died penniless. I think the author, Lawrence Otis Graham, did a fine job depicting the dichotomy that existed within many light-complexioned, well-to-do African-Americans during Slavery, and Reconstruction; which was to suffer the belief that they were somehow separate from their African-American lineage because of their social class, and political affiliations, and should be entitled to certain privileges irrespective of their race. The Bruce's avoided dark complexioned African-Americans, including members of their family, and soon became unwelcome in both sectors of society – black & white.
Herein, Mr. Graham also gives an account of the strongly opposing (and infamous) philosophies between two very prominent African-American figures – W.E.B. DuBois, and Booker T. Washington.
This book, as it depicts the life of one family during a contentious time in history, is a sweeping indictment on class, race, and politics in America. A good read that I highly recommend.
Political, social, and financial progress made by African-Americans during Reconstruction had come to a grinding halt when the South took control of the country’s political landscape, and after the death of the patriarch, Blanche, the son and grandson splurged the family’s fortune in an effort to “keep up with the Jones’.” Blanche’s political connections were no longer viable resources for Roscoe Sr. who later found himself begging the Rockefeller family for employment as manager of Harlem’s Dunbar Apartments; a relationship that would also suffer due to Roscoe Jr’s illegal activities.
Sadly, Blanche K. Bruce was a man who worked tirelessly to build a life for his family, but not to improve life for his constituency. He didn’t stand firm on issues that he knew were important because he was more concerned with maintaining his connections and stature – in essence, he was a coward. Roscoe Sr. who directly benefited from his father’s wealth and privilege became a highly educated, self-aggrandizing, greedy, selfish snob who sought prominence based on his father’s position in government. Roscoe Jr. grew to be a petty criminal who served jail time. Both died penniless. I think the author, Lawrence Otis Graham, did a fine job depicting the dichotomy that existed within many light-complexioned, well-to-do African-Americans during Slavery, and Reconstruction; which was to suffer the belief that they were somehow separate from their African-American lineage because of their social class, and political affiliations, and should be entitled to certain privileges irrespective of their race. The Bruce's avoided dark complexioned African-Americans, including members of their family, and soon became unwelcome in both sectors of society – black & white.
Herein, Mr. Graham also gives an account of the strongly opposing (and infamous) philosophies between two very prominent African-American figures – W.E.B. DuBois, and Booker T. Washington.
This book, as it depicts the life of one family during a contentious time in history, is a sweeping indictment on class, race, and politics in America. A good read that I highly recommend.
September 1, 2015
Mr. Graham is a clever devil!!! I love reading his work because it always sheds light on so many gems of our past. He doesn't just name drop, but details all of his subjects, characterizing them in a way that just makes you want to know more. His writing is articulate, confident and provocative in a way that lures you right on in.
The only thing I don't particularly care for is the way he always points out how some uppity Blacks, or members of the Black elite were separatists who considered themselves better than the masses who were not quite light, or right enough for them. I just don't buy it. Not when so many civic organizations were born by this group and others who were a part of the middle and working classes.
Anyway, this is a great read. So much history and fine, intelligent writing.
You highbrow son of gun, you, Graham. Always going on about the Black and the Bougie! blah...blah...blah...but you know what?
I love it :)
The only thing I don't particularly care for is the way he always points out how some uppity Blacks, or members of the Black elite were separatists who considered themselves better than the masses who were not quite light, or right enough for them. I just don't buy it. Not when so many civic organizations were born by this group and others who were a part of the middle and working classes.
Anyway, this is a great read. So much history and fine, intelligent writing.
You highbrow son of gun, you, Graham. Always going on about the Black and the Bougie! blah...blah...blah...but you know what?
I love it :)
May 26, 2011
A tale of pulling yourself up by your boot straps. The story of Blanche Kelso Bruce is intriguing journey of slavey to a national powerbroker. Its interesting to note that many of the same conditions that occurred in Bruce's day are repeating themselves today - speculation, war, economic downturn, and class segregation between elitists in both the White and Black community versus working class and middle class Americans.
I was also amazed that although Bruce was light complected, his wife's family thought his family was inferior due to the Bruces being former slaves (although Bruce's mother was a house slave and a mistress to both of her White masters and favored above other slaves). I was definitely intrigued by the contradictions this book produces from Bruce's political alliances and calculations to that of his son.
I was also amazed that although Bruce was light complected, his wife's family thought his family was inferior due to the Bruces being former slaves (although Bruce's mother was a house slave and a mistress to both of her White masters and favored above other slaves). I was definitely intrigued by the contradictions this book produces from Bruce's political alliances and calculations to that of his son.
November 18, 2015
Interesting to learn this part of our history - facts that are not taught in school. You have to give him his props for accomplishing what he did considering his beginnings - you can learn from his determination. However I wasn't super impressed with Blanche Bruce from the standpoint that as a public figure he was not a man of the people. He was strictly a man of status which his family paid for eventually. In terms of the book - it was not Mr. Graham's best writing. It was repetitive, disjointed and I felt drawn out. I was ready to finish it and It feels like he wrote it hurriedly.
November 5, 2008
I wasn't able to finish it but it was extremely interesting to me given that my family has roots in mississippi. I also found it intriguing that the descendants of these families are no longer involved in politics and don't really associate with the family name. Its a shame but appearance can do to a family and a people.
July 29, 2014
Very interesting piece of history that only a few people know about. It should be read by all if for no other reason then to add another dimension to our understanding of American and Black history. America's first African-American family dynasty of prominence. Harvard grads, register of treasury (name on paper currency) friends of presidents, society bigwigs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2015
Being a Northerner my education had a large 'black hole' when it came to antebellum southern history. This book has filled in some blanks and will no doubt serve as a spring board for further exploration. All in all a well researched work of nonfiction which paints a vivid picture of Senator Bruce, his family and the turbulent Zeitgeist of the antebellum South, Washington DC politics and beyond.
October 1, 2011
This book was enlightening to the world of the Black "elite" that was "created" during the Reconstruction Period. As I read, I didn't know whether to be awed or disgusted by the lengths that African- Americans took to maintain the approval/acceptance of this group.
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