Black History Month Book Feature
One Couple’s Epic Journey From Slavery To Freedom
Author ILYON WOO latest book Master, Slave, Husband, Wife: An Epic Journey From Slavery to Freedom is one of the most riveting, suspenseful books I’ve read in years. It shares the remarkable true story of Ellen and William Craft, who fled slavery through an ingenious blend of trickery and disguise, with Ellen passing as a disabled, wealthy White man and William posing as “his” slave.
Ellen was the daughter of her first enslaver which is how she came about her very light complexion. To pull of the daring escape, she concocted an outfit which fashioned her as a wealthy white male enslaver who is disabled and seemingly dependent on the support of her slave, which was her husband William.
The couple set out on their journey in 1848, at a time when the U.S. was divided between states that banned slavery and those that embraced it. From their enslaved life in Macon, Georgia, they roadmapped a 800 mile trek to Philadelphia in the free state of Pennsylvania, traveling by train and boat in disguise.
Embedded throughout the story is the centuries-old narrative in the U.S. where Black Americans with no visible African ancestry are able to “pass” as White, avoiding the anti-black racism and discrimination common during the time. Their “Crafty” ruse (no pun intended) allowed the husband and wife couple to make their escape of nearly 1,000 miles. They achieved this by gaining uncommon access to steamboats, carriages, and trains that transported them North from bondage in Georgia to Northern free states.
Over the course of their journey, they were able to dodge slave traders, military officers, and even friends of their enslavers, who could have revealed true identities. This adventurous tale eventually brought them celebrity status and attention throughout the nation. They began drawing enthusiastic crowds while appearing at public events with such notable abolitionist figures as Frederick Douglass and William Wells Brown.
Despite this newly found freedom and acclaim, their lives were still fraught with risk. With the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, all Americans were held accountable for returning escaped slaves like the Crafts to their slave state. Facing the likelihood of being snagged by slave hunters from Georgia, the Crafts mounted their next move, resulting in their departure from the United States for safe passage to Canada.
This true American love story is an exquisite reminder of the libertarian principles of life, liberty and freedom for all. As expressed by Imani Perry, author of South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation:
“Master Slave Husband Wife tells one of the most important stories of American slavery and freedom. With prose that is suspenseful, brilliantly detailed, historically precise, and simply gorgeous, Woo depicts the Crafts and their historic role in antebellum America stunningly. This is a story that will stay with you for a lifetime.”
“Great Books, Great Minds” is my full-time work and life passion, a labor of love fueled by the endless hours of work I put into researching and writing these feature pieces. So if you enjoy this digital newsletter, find it valuable, and savor world-class book experiences featuring epic authors and book evangelists, then please consider becoming a paid supporting member at $6.00 a month or $60.00/year.
Thank you for your support! In the meantime, stay thirsty for a great book
Diamond-Michael Scott, Global Book Ambassador, Great Books, Great Minds —“Igniting a New World of Community, Connection, and Belonging, One Book at a Time”