All That She Carried

by Tiya Miles
All That She Carried cover
Good Books rating 4.23
History
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  • ID: 3120
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781800818224
  • Publisher: Profile Books
  • Published: 2023-04-06
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

All That She Carried tells the story of Rose, an enslaved woman in 1850s South Carolina, who packed a cotton bag for her daughter Ashley before she was sold. Decades later, Ashley's granddaughter Ruth embroidered their family history onto the sack. Harvard historian Tiya Miles meticulously traces these women's lives through archival records and objects, revealing the profound impact of slavery and the uncertain freedom that followed. /n/n This book is not just a narrative of historical events but a poignant testament to the resilience and love passed down through generations. Miles' work sheds light on the often-overlooked experiences of enslaved women, using objects and art to fill in the gaps where archives fall short.

Reviews
Suanne Schafer Author · Suanne Schafer · 2025-01-16
powerful 4.00

Miles faces a significant challenge due to the lack of records from the era of Black slavery, but she crafts a very moving story. The book is a testament to the resilience and love of African-American women.

Suanne Schafer acknowledges the immense challenge Miles faced due to the lack of historical records from the era of Black slavery. Despite this, she praises Miles for crafting a very moving story that highlights the resilience and love of African-American women. Schafer finds the book to be a powerful and emotional read, emphasizing the importance of preserving and understanding these often overlooked stories.

Quick quotes

    Author Miles writes very moving story here, but she faced an immense challenge: the lack of records kept during the Black slavery-related ...

    The book is a testament to the resilience and love of African-American women.

    Miles crafts a narrative that is both powerful and deeply emotional, making it a compelling read.

The Guardian · 2023-07-12
moving 4.50

The book beautifully brings to life the stories of enslaved women through a simple cloth sack, highlighting the enduring power of love and resilience. It is a poignant reminder of the social fabric that connects generations.

The reviewer was deeply moved by the way Miles uses a simple cloth sack to weave together the stories of enslaved women, creating a powerful narrative that spans generations. They appreciate how the book highlights the enduring power of love and resilience in the face of adversity. The reviewer also notes that the book serves as a poignant reminder of the social fabric that connects us all, making it a compelling and emotional read.

Quick quotes

    A simple cloth sack brings to life generations of enslaved women and reminds us of the enduring power of love.

    The book is a poignant reminder of the social fabric that connects generations.

    Miles's writing is both moving and deeply resonant, capturing the complexities of history and personal experience.

Chicago Review of Books · 2021-06-11
engaging 4.20

The book reads smoothly and transitions rhythmically, avoiding academic jargon while exploring the lives of unfree people. It is both informative and emotionally engaging.

The reviewer appreciates how Miles avoids academic jargon and opacity, making the book accessible and engaging. They highlight the smooth and rhythmic transitions between past and present, which enhance the narrative flow. The reviewer finds the book to be both informative and emotionally engaging, providing a rich exploration of the lives of unfree people in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Quick quotes

    Light on the jargon and academic opacity, the book reads smoothly, transitioning rhythmically and occasionally poetically from the past to the present.

    The book is both informative and emotionally engaging, providing a rich exploration of the lives of unfree people.

    Miles's writing is accessible and compelling, making it a must-read for those interested in American history.

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