Appearance
Dynasty of Death (Dodens Dynasti)
I'd bought this book as a birthday gift for my mother (she'd remembered the book fondly, from her younger days).Not only was my mother pleased with her gift, we were also both touched that the seller had sent a letter along with it. In it, he thanked us for our purchase, and explained some of the background of the story and the author's source material.All in all, we were delighted with the seller and his product.
I Cannot Tell A Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants
Though touted as a "novel," the back matter of this book demonstrates that this author did some serious research in putting together "I Cannot Tell a Lie." This extensive saga gives the reader a wrenching, personal tour through the victories and heartaches of one family - who spent 200 years in the shadow of a secret that can - and will - change the way the world views American history. There is much to be learned from this fascinating book, aside from the astonishing revelation that the blood of our first national hero lives on in an African American family. The book gives us a whole new set of heros - in the form of courageous, lively people of color, and of mixed race - who have been omitted from our texts. This is a generous gift to America and the author is to be applauded. Read this book if you're ready to hear the truth about what America is, and should be, all about.
I Cannot Tell A Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants
I LIKE THIS BOOK! IT IS A GREAT BOOK TO ADD TO HISTORY. IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT THE OL GENERAL WAS HUMAN AFTER ALL. HEY MAYBE THE GOVERNMENT WILL PUT GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SON ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOLLAR? (WELL IT WAS A THOUGHT) A GREAT HISTORY LEASON FOR ALL THOSE LOST FAMILIES. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, AND DONT FORGET TO "STAND TALL"
I Cannot Tell A Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants
I thought I knew my American history, but I was astounded by what I learned from this book that teaches, but reads like a novel. Ms Bryant has done some fascinating work researching her family's journey from the Bushfield plantation of 1785 through the Civil War and race riots in Chicago in 1919. You'll find much of this is mysteriously missing from our current high school history curriculum. Woven throughout the book is the thread of this family's strength fueled by their courage and commitment to place "family" above all else. Although sure to stir some controversy, this story needed to be told.
I Cannot Tell A Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants
The author takes you on a trip through history in a way you've never imagined - opening new doors with new interpretations and making the reader speculate as to the paternity of a mulatto man named West Ford. Was this man the son of George Washington? After reading this fascinating book I can say, YES HE WAS!I Cannot Tell a Lie is a deeply affecting story and I found myself moved by the plight of this courageous family as they struggled through two centuries to maintain their secret legacy throughout American history's most insensitive times.The characters are vivid and their story will haunt you for weeks after you've turned the last page. I can't wait for a movie to be made.
I Cannot Tell A Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants
A Quote from West Ford "Tell your children, tell them about the Old General. But don't tell nobody else' cause white folks won't accept it."My initial thoughts on this book were "why did I volunteer to review this," I wasn't partial to history, could barely keep up in school. I progressed to the foreword and realized this might be interesting. After completing the foreword, I noticed there were portraits of George Washington at age 25, West Ford age 21 and his mother Venus Ford. I was totally intrigued. The resemblance West Ford had to George Washington his father, was uncanny.I am sure the question at the forefront of your mind is how? So let me start there. Venus Ford was a mulatto slave for Massa John Washington, Master George's brother. Massa Johns' son Augustine was killed in a gun accident. The Washington family was grieving over the lost of Young Augustine, Master George's nephew. At the request of Massa John, Venus was asked to comfort the Old General. Venus understood comfort to mean lighting a fire and warming some bricks for his bed. Massa Johns' next words startled Venus, "Ah...Master George needs warming of another kind." After that one night whenever he visited Bushfield or when Venus went with her Mistress to Mount Vernon, Venus became his sex slave.What was so different about this story from all the other influential white men who bedded mulatto slaves and wives of sharecroppers? Nothing. What's interesting is how the Fords kept their family secret legacy alive. The prologue opens with Elise Ford Allen, facing her 79th birthday and choosing the "special ones" who would continue the legacy of the family. Each generation had a chronicler, who would continue the legacy. How neat is that. I for one am happy they did this, imagine not ever knowing West Ford's story.This book is for everyone, young or old. History tells us that our first president and first lady birthed no children together. George Washington's first born was born of a slave not of Martha's womb. This was a different read for me. The author Linda Allen Bryant found a way to write about history and made it entertaining. At times I forgot this was a story of West Ford, George Washington's first born.Reviewed by Missy