Slaves in the Family

By: Edward Ball

Narrated by: Edward Ball

This program is read by the author.

Twenty years after this celebrated work of narrative nonfiction won the National Book Award and changed the American conversation about race, Slaves in the Family makes its audio debut, with a new preface by the author.

The Ball family hails from South Carolina - Charleston and thereabouts. Their plantations were among the oldest and longest-standing plantations in the South. Between 1698 and 1865, close to 4,000 Black people were born into slavery under the Balls or were bought by them.

In Slaves in the Family, Edward Ball recounts his efforts to track down and meet the descendants of his family's slaves. Part historical narrative, part oral history, part personal story of investigation and catharsis, Slaves in the Family is, in the words of Pat Conroy, "a work of breathtaking generosity and courage, a magnificent study of the complexity and strangeness and beauty of the word ‘family.'"

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©1998, 2014 Text copyright Edward Ball, Preface copyright Edward Ball (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Gives a good insight for moving forward today

It was hard to keep the lineage and family tree straight. The author did a good job trying to help me keep it straight. I think maybe for me to read it in print would help. We like to think that the slave issue is not our issue and with freedom people should “get over it”. The author reminds us that even though the past can’t be changed we can change the future. The past should be a guide and a prod to help us all do better. White and black. We all see things through the filter of what had gone before. This book is a great reminder that to change there must be respect, kindness and most of all charity. If you like history or sociology this book is for you

A history restored and families lost found

Amazing and courageous telling of a family story, the good and the bad. A sharing of the lives of those held captive for profit. American history told as it should be told - honestly. Thank you.

I learned so much

Great book. Author honestly told the story of his family in a very human way. I learned a lot and enjoyed it very much. I didn’t want to stop listening.

Where's the movie!!!!!

This story needs to be put on the screen. it reminded me of Miss Jane Pitman.

It's personal

Edward Ball is a toning for the misery his ancestors wrought in their slave owning. His tone is matter of fact. The writing is good.
It is a bit long. I recommend doing tasks while listening. Hiking, cleaning, and yard work were my favorites.
I am not sure I could summarize this in one sentence. It wasn't as focused as it might have been. If it were it would have been cut a bit. The Ball history is rich zand well-documented