Unburdened by conscience

Anthony W. Neal forcefully argues that some influential historians have been unable to offer a complete account of antebellum-era American slavery because of their preoccupation with humanizing the slaveholders. He charges them with concealing the full horrors of slavery in order to present the slaveholders in a more favorable light. By skillfully weaving together searing firsthand accounts of courageous ex-slaves, Neal permits the reader to see slavery in the United States from their point of view. Former slaves talk candidly about the break-up of their marital unions and families, the slaveholders' practice of slave breeding, and other matters rarely examined in most American slavery history books. Through this powerful, compelling, and important work, Neal gives a voice to black people who endured American slavery and presents a sobering record not found in most books on the topic.