The Free State of Jones

Mississippi's Longest Civil War

By: Victoria E. Bynum

Narrated by: Mahershala Ali

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Actor Mahershala Ali (House of Cards, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay) performs the gripping tale of an armed band of Confederate deserters and slaves living in a mixed-race community who rose up against the Confederate Cavalry in 1863 to form their own republic, free of slavery, in what is now the state of Mississippi. The community they formed - and the ambiguous racial identity of their descendants - confounded the rules of the segregated South well into the 20th century.

In bridging the gap between the legendary and the real Free State of Jones, author Victoria Bynum unwraps the legend - what was told, what was embellished, and what was left out.

©2016 The University of North Carolina Press (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[T]he original book is even more explosive than the film adaptation....It's read by House of Cards and Hunger Games: Mockingjay actor Mahershala Ali (who's also appearing in the upcoming Luke Cage series on Netflix, as well as [the film] Free State of Jones), whose rumbling baritone makes for an addictive listen. Since he's not currently reading every audiobook in existence, as we'd prefer, we'll have to settle for this one." [A.V. Club]

Slow start, but interesting story

Fascinating story for the Civil War enthusiast, as well as those are interested in the American Civil Rights movement. A bit hard to follow via audio as the Knight family tree speeds through the Revolutionary War all the into the mid twentieth century.

Enlightening

It is rare that one would come across a book of historical essays in which is educational, informative and entertaining. It is not entertaining in the original sense where the author wrote with such flowery pose but the way that she weaved previous books written on the subject into the Free State of Jones. This is not a one time read. It is to be read and re-read until it is in the marrow of one's bones.

Great book, but not meant for audio

Would you listen to The Free State of Jones again? Why?

No I wouldn't listen to it again, because the book is truly not meant for audio. There is way to many names and dates for a listener, it gets confusing at time trying to remember who is who... that being said, I can only imagine that the actual book is well worth it!?

Any additional comments?

This book is very well written and researched, it is just not for the audio listener.

Great story!

overall, I found myself really enjoying the book. Details surrounding the narrative were fantastic, and offered a lot of insight into a different side of the Confederate South, which I was previously unfamiliar with. My only complaint is that the readers cadence was sometimes a bit too repetitive. His vice was fantastic, but combined with the somewhat rhythmic nature of his reading, I found it almost hypnotic.

Sometimes It All Comes Together-- A Dream

I’m the executive producer of this audiobook-- so of course I am one of its biggest fans. But I thought you might like to know a little behind the scenes.

Like most people, I had no idea that there were white and white/black communities of the deep South that resisted the Confederacy and rejected slavery. They were not as “prim” as the Northern abolitionists, to say the least! I was fascinated to meet the author, Victoria Bynum, who had learned she herself was a Jones County descendant.

When she began work on the film-to-be, we started talking about how we could bring the audiobook to life in a new way. What a dream it was to work with co-star Mahershala Ali, who brought so much respect and interest to every little detail of the performance. I LOVE real American history from primary sources, all the little clues about what really happened, behind the cliches. All politics is “personal,” and “local”! This is the kind of story that proves that a million times over...

Better Than Any History Class

Audio version is well delivered and so historically rich in the telling of the story. Want to really understand the background and experiences of our ancestors?...Read, listen and reflect on the contents of this book...The Free State of Jones! EXCELLENT.

wonderful book but.....

The author should have narrated. Marshall Ali is a wonderful actor but terrible narrator who swallows syllables to the extent I had to use Google to figure out many names in the book.

A Masterpiece!

Thank you Professor Bynam for this informative, engaging and inspiring historic work; beautifully narrated by Mr. Ali. For someone of mixed ancestry like myself it is a veritable, educational and edifying read, as it carefully yet explicitly details the roots of dysfunction that still plague race relations in the U.S.A.; both between Blacks & others, as well as within the Black community itself. I hope the upcoming film prompts more people to read this masterpiece thoroughly.

Excellent collected knowledge almost lost

While the attempted ties to modern social issues do this story a great disservice, they are relegated to the end and can be ignored. This is one of the most honest and revealing books about the civil war era and is a must read/listen for everyone who remotely cares about American history.

Great Book

This book was enjoyable to listen to and very well written. I recommend you take the time to read or listen to this book.