Description
Book Synopsis: A thoughtful and illuminating bicycle journey along the Underground Railroad by a climate scientist seeking to engage with American history. The traces of the Underground Railroad hide in plain sight: a great church in Philadelphia; a humble old house backing up to the New Jersey Turnpike; an industrial outbuilding in Ohio. Over the course of four years, David Goodrich rode his bicycle 3,000 miles east of the Mississippi to travel the routes of the Underground Railroad and delve into the history and stories in the places where they happened. He followed the most famous of conductors, Harriet Tubman, from where she was enslaved in Maryland, on the eastern shore, all the way to her family sanctuary at a tiny chapel in Ontario, Canada. Travelling South, he rode from New Orleans, where the enslaved were bought and sold, through Mississippi and the heart of the Delta Blues. As we pedal along with him, Goodrich brings us to the Borderland along the Ohio River, a kind of no-mans-land between North and South in the years before the Civil War. Here, slave hunters roamed both banks of the river, trying to catch people as they fled for freedom. We travel to Oberlin, Ohio, a town that staunchly defended freedom seekers, embodied in the life of Lewis Leary, who was lost in the fires of Harpers Ferry, but his spirit was reborn in the Harlem Renaissance. On Freedom Road enables us to see familiar places—New York and Philadelphia, New Orleans and Buffalo—in a very different light: from the vantage point of desperate people seeking to outrun the reach of slavery. Join in this journey to find the heroes and stories, both known and hidden, of the Underground Railroad.
Details
Experience a captivating bicycle journey along the historic Underground Railroad with On Freedom Road: Bicycle Explorations and Reckonings on the Underground Railroad. This thought-provoking book takes you on a 3,000-mile adventure through the heart of American history, as climate scientist David Goodrich immerses himself in the footsteps of the brave men and women who risked their lives for freedom.
Uncover the hidden traces of the Underground Railroad, hidden in plain sight. From the iconic churches of Philadelphia to the unassuming houses along the New Jersey Turnpike, and the obscure industrial outbuildings in Ohio, Goodrich's meticulous research brings to life the stories and struggles of those who fought against the chains of slavery.
Follow in the footsteps of the legendary Harriet Tubman, the most famous of conductors, as she escaped from slavery and led countless others to freedom. Discover the sanctuaries and safehouses that provided solace to those seeking a better life, including the tiny chapel where Tubman's own family found refuge in Ontario, Canada.
Embark on a journey through the Deep South, from New Orleans to Mississippi, immersing yourself in the rich history of the Delta Blues. Feel the palpable tension of the Borderland along the Ohio River, a place where freedom hung in the balance and slave hunters prowled the banks in search of escapees.
Travel to the town of Oberlin, Ohio, a steadfast defender of freedom seekers. Experience the legacy of Lewis Leary, a hero lost in the flames of Harpers Ferry, whose spirit lives on in the vibrant Harlem Renaissance.
On Freedom Road unveils a fresh perspective on iconic cities like New York and Philadelphia, as well as New Orleans and Buffalo. See these familiar places through the lens of those desperate to outrun slavery's grip. Discover the untold heroes and stories of the Underground Railroad, both known and hidden.
Don't miss out on this captivating journey where history comes alive. Join David Goodrich on Freedom Road and embark on an enlightening exploration of the Underground Railroad. Get your copy now!
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