4. Recent Books on African American History

The Gilder Lehrman Institute is pleased to feature the most exciting history scholars in America discussing their books live. Book Breaks, a free, hour-long program that includes a Q&A with home audiences, happens every Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. In addition to Book Breaks, the Institute periodically features evening book talks as well. Check back here throughout the year for additional sessions dedicated to the topic of Black Lives in the Founding Era. 

The Hemingses of Monticello: an american family

May 17, 2020 - Annette Gordon-Reed discusses her Pulitzer Prize–winning book The Hemingses of Monticello.

Order "The Hemingses of Monticello" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute Book Shop

THE BLACK CHURCH  

June 2, 2021 - Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discusses his book The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song. 

Order "The Black Church" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop

ON JUNETEENTH 

May 3, 2021 - Annette Gordon Reed discusses her book On Juneteenth. 

Order "On Juneteenth" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop

The Slave’s Cause: A History of Abolition

October 25, 2020 - Manisha Sinha discusses her book The Slave’s Cause: A History of Abolition

Order "The Slave's Cause" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop

Sexuality and Slavery: RECLAIMING INTIMATE HISTORIES IN THE AMERICAS 

June 28, 2020 - Daina Ramey Berry and Leslie Harris discuss their book Sexuality and Slavery.

Order "Sexuality and Slavery" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop

voices of the enslaved: love, labor, and longing in french louisiana 

March 21, 2021 - Sophie White discusses her book Voices of the Enslaved: Love, Labor, and Longing in French Louisiana

Order "Voices of the Enslaved" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute Book Shop

FORCE AND FREEDOM: BLACK ABOLITIONISTS AND THE POLITICS OF VIOLENCE

August 9, 2020 - Kellie Carter Jackson discusses her book Force and Freedom: Black Abolitionists and the Politics of Violence 

Order "Force and Freedom" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute Book Shop

Jefferson's daughters: three sisters, white and black, in a young america 

March 28, 2021 - Catherine Kerrison discusses her book Jefferson's Daughters: Three Sisters, White and Black, in a Young America 

Order "Jefferson's Daughters" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute Book Shop

AT THE THRESHOLD OF LIBERTY: WOMEN, SLAVERY, AND SHIFTING IDENTITIES IN WASHINGTON, D.C.   

June 27, 2021 - Tamika Nunley discusses her book At the Threshold of Liberty: Women, Slavery, and Shifting Identities in Washington, D.C. 

Order "At the Threshold of Liberty" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop

THE FIRST RECONSTRUCTION: BLACK POLITICS IN AMERICA, FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE CIVIL WAR 

May 16, 2021 - Van Gosse discusses his book The First Reconstruction: Black Politics in America, from the Revolution to the Civil War. 

Order "The First Reconstruction" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop

What Is Slavery?

December 13, 2020 - Brenda E. Stevenson discusses her book What Is Slavery?

Order "What Is Slavery" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop

City of Refuge: Slavery and Petit Marronage in the Great Dismal Swamp, 1763–1856

January 10, 2021 - Marcus P. Nevius discusses his book City of Refuge: Slavery and Petit Marronage in the Great Dismal Swamp, 1763–1856.

Order "City of Refuge" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop

Moral Capital: Foundations of British Abolitionism

October 18, 2020 - Christopher Leslie Brown discusses his book Moral Capital: Foundations of British Abolitionism

Order "Moral Capital" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop