How the Word Is Passed
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America is a nonfiction work authored by Clint Smith and released in 2021 by Little, Brown. This book delves into the history of slavery in the United States by visiting significant historical sites and monuments, critically assessing how these places represent the enduring legacy of slavery. It investigates how various elements such as monuments, place names, holidays, and neighborhoods convey intricate stories about America's historical experience. Additionally, Smith addresses how the evolving interpretation of this history influences present-day perspectives on slavery.
Summary
The narrative includes explorations of several key locations, including Monticello Plantation, Whitney Plantation, Angola Prison, Blandford Cemetery, Galveston, Texas, New York City, and Goree Island. Each destination serves to demonstrate the role of collective memory and historical preservation in shaping public understanding of slavery’s enduring effects.
Honors and awards
- Recipient of the Stowe Prize (2022) - Awarded the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism (2022) - Honored with the Dayton Literary Peace Prize (2022) - Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction (2021) - Selected as one of The New York Times’ “10 Best Books of 2021” - Featured in Time Magazine’s "10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2021”
External links
- How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America at Zinnedproject.org