If Cotton Could Talk

A Blackwashed 19th Century Pre-Civil War Fictional Story That Depicts The People, Tone And Events Of The Era.

By: Alvin M. Hayes

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Length: 2 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

If Cotton Could Talk," is a civil war era historical fiction novel about 19th-century slave life in the South. You will be introduced to a cast of characters; Black mothers and fathers who are fearless, smart, and devoted to family and justice. Heroes and heroines whose leadership gave enslaved people hope. But before freedom comes, they must survive other slaves who prove to be untrustworthy. At the same time ruthless, hostile, hateful men are determined to keep the status quo.

Pre-Civil War, 1850, enslaved people could sense that their lives were going to change. Slaves reasoned that they would not be slaves forever. They developed lasting relationships and worked together across plantations to share information and protect each other. A young girl was taught to read when knowing how to read was banned, punishable by whipping or even death. Her ability to read affected everyone and helped them to prepare for freedom, unbeknownst to slave owners. Once the war began, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation declaring slaves were free, if they were in a rebellion State. The owners were determined to keep their wealth and power over the enslaved even if the South lost the war. The slaves were listening and preparing for revenge and freedom. They would be free but free to do what?

A suspenseful fictional but historically authentic family saga that captures the rhythm of being African American; a style all our own, the way we talk, and the mannerism we all have. The novel describes the fortitude it took to survive and keep your dignity, like the Elders. The characters are easy to root for or against. A thriller as you bond with men and women who maneuver for a better life. There are also humorous moments and distinctive personalities just like you would find today. It is a book about people living under harsh and hostile conditions and still finding a way to keep their dignity! This is their story, an African American story. A story of love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption. A story of families, of strong Black men & women, and how America left their fate to the same people who enslaved them; free to do as they pleased with no repercussions.

A Slaves Revenge

What I LOVE about this book is the showing of the Slaves intellect of making a way out of no way!!! it takes really intelligence to continuously play a dole person, while gathering critical information for escaping or making a plan at the end of the Civil war!!

Needed More Depth

This book tried to pack a lot into a short amount of time. More development of the story needed to take place and some of the events that took place at the end seemed very far fetched. I found myself saying, “Now why would anyone actually do that?”