Barbara F Reskin

A well written and fascinating account of a mixed-race family that lives in Pennsylvania in the years leading up to and through the Civil War. The author (who later became friends with Eleanor Roosevelt) was raised by her grandfather and grandmother both of which apparently had some African American heritage among other "ingredients". One important part of the book is its treatment of how inaccurate is a racial classification system that treats everyone as white or "Negro". The chapters dealing with the grandfather's role in the Civil War is both eye-opening and heart breaking. Everyone who cares about "race" in America would benefit from reading this very well written, informative, and indeed amazing account. (I just bought two copies to give to friends, and will probably will be back for more.)