African Americans on Martha's Vineyard: From Enslavement to Presidential Visit

by Thomas Dresser

African Americans of Martha's Vineyard have an epic history. From the days when slaves toiled away in the fresh New England air, through abolition and Reconstruction and continuing into recent years, African Americans have fought arduously to preserve a vibrant culture here. Discover how the Vineyard became a sanctuary for slaves during the Civil War and how many blacks first came to the island as indentured servants. Read tales of the Shearer Cottage, a popular vacation destination for prominent blacks from Harry T. Burleigh to Scott Joplin, and how Martin Luther King Jr. vacationed here as well. Venture through the Vineyard with local tour guide Thomas Dresser and learn about people such as Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates and President Barack Obama, who return to the Vineyard for respite from a demanding world.

Genres: American History, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2010

Reviews

[Tracey Vible Hallman]

Agree with Courtney's review. It is a catalogue of facts. Predominantly written chronologically, many of the individual stories don't connect to each other and the reading is a bit disjointed. The book is loaded with numerous facts. The research of this book was very difficult due to the lack of records which makes it variable and very important. Not a leisurely read but an excellent historical reference.

[Aimee L Warren]

If you are interested in history this is a good read

[Courtney]

The history itself is interesting but this is not a work of creative non-fiction. The writing is more like a catalog of facts which may be better to suited for research than leisure reading.

[C.]

African Americans on Martha Vineyard is an extensive look at the lives of visitors including home and land owners, professionals, celebrities, and politicians. The book reads like a newspaper and social report. It give the flavor of the community and offers a great deal of insight for genealogy buffs and historians. This is a great undertaking to keep history alive and a welcomed joy.