All That She Carried

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NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A renowned historian explores the life of an object passed down through three generations of Black women, creating a “deeply layered and insightful” testament to those often excluded from historical records. This work has garnered numerous accolades, including the Frederick Douglass Book Prize and the Harriet Tubman Prize. In 1850s South Carolina, an enslaved woman named Rose prepares for the impending sale of her daughter, Ashley, by packing a cotton bag with cherished items. Shortly after, the nine-year-old is sold, separated from her mother. Decades later, Ashley’s granddaughter, Ruth, embroiders their family history onto the sack in haunting language. Historian Tiya Miles meticulously traces these women's faint presence in archival records, supplementing where they fall short with objects, art, and the environment, to construct a unique narrative of slavery and the uncertain freedom that follows. This poignant story reflects resilience and love amid adversity, honoring the ingenuity of those who maintained family ties when official systems failed them. It serves as a visionary illustration of how to reconstruct and share their stories today. Recognized as one of the best books by multiple prestigious outlets, this work resonates with brilliance, tenderness, and fearlessness.