Dismal Freedom

A History of the Maroons of the Great Dismal Swamp

By J. Brent Morris | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

The foreboding Great Dismal Swamp sprawls over 2,000 square miles and spills over parts of Virginia and North Carolina. From the early seventeenth century, the nearly impassable Dismal frustrated settlement; however, what may have impeded the expansion of slave society became an essential sanctuary for many of those who sought to escape it. In the depths of the Dismal, thousands of maroons—people who had emancipated themselves from enslavement and settled beyond the reach of enslavers—established new lives of freedom in a landscape deemed worthless and inaccessible by whites.

Dismal Freedom unearths the stories of these maroons, their lives, and their struggles for liberation. Drawing from newly discovered primary sources and archeological evidence that suggests far more extensive maroon settlement than historians have previously imagined, award-winning author J. Brent Morris uncovers one of the most exciting yet neglected stories of American history. This is the story of resilient, proud, and determined people who made the Great Dismal Swamp their free home and sanctuary and who played an outsized role in undermining slavery through the Civil War.

Editions of Dismal Freedom

Hardcover
ISBN 9781469668253
Paperback
ISBN 9781469688343
EBook
ISBN 9781469668260
EBook
ISBN 9781469668277
EBook
ISBN 9798890851819
PDF
ISBN 9798890851802

Read an Excerpt

The foreboding Great Dismal Swamp sprawls over 2,000 square miles and spills over parts of Virginia and North Carolina. From the early seventeenth century, the nearly impassable Dismal frustrated settlement; however, what may have impeded the expansion of slave society became an essential sanctuary for many of those who sought to escape it. In the depths of the Dismal, thousands of maroons—people who had emancipated themselves from enslavement and settled beyond the reach of enslavers—established new lives of freedom in a landscape deemed worthless and inaccessible by whites.

Dismal Freedom unearths the stories of these maroons, their lives, and their struggles for liberation. Drawing from newly discovered primary sources and archeological evidence that suggests far more extensive maroon settlement than historians have previously imagined, award-winning author J. Brent Morris uncovers one of the most exciting yet neglected stories of American history. This is the story of resilient, proud, and determined people who made the Great Dismal Swamp their free home and sanctuary and who played an outsized role in undermining slavery through the Civil War.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dismal Freedom about?

The foreboding Great Dismal Swamp sprawls over 2,000 square miles and spills over parts of Virginia and North Carolina. From the early seventeenth century, the nearly impassable Dismal frustrated settlement; however, what may have impeded the expansion of slave society became an essential sanctuary for many of those who sought to escape it. In the depths of the Dismal, thousands of maroons—people who had emancipated themselves from enslavement and settled beyond the reach of enslavers—established new lives of freedom in a landscape deemed worthless and inaccessible by whites.

Dismal Freedom unearths the stories of these maroons, their lives, and their struggles for liberation. Drawing from newly discovered primary sources and archeological evidence that suggests far more extensive maroon settlement than historians have previously imagined, award-winning author J. Brent Morris uncovers one of the most exciting yet neglected stories of American history. This is the story of resilient, proud, and determined people who made the Great Dismal Swamp their free home and sanctuary and who played an outsized role in undermining slavery through the Civil War.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Dismal Freedom?

History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas

Where can I read a sample of Dismal Freedom?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469668253

How long is Dismal Freedom and how many pages does it have?

Dismal Freedom has 256 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Dismal Freedom?

J. Brent Morris

Who is the Publisher of the book Dismal Freedom?

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Dismal Freedom is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469668253) and paperback(ISBN 9781469688343) and ebook(ISBN 9781469668260) and ebook(ISBN 9781469668277) and ebook(ISBN 9798890851819) and pdf(ISBN 9798890851802)

Where can I buy Dismal Freedom online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Dismal Freedom from below

Where can I buy Dismal Freedom?