Annette Gordon-Reed

The mesmerizing story of Juneteenth's integral importance to American history--told by the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Texas native.

On Juneteenth

The essential, sweeping story of Juneteenth’s integral importance to American history, as told by a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and Texas native. Weaving together American history, dramatic family chronicle, and searing episodes of memoir, Annette Gordon-Reed’s On Juneteenth provides a historian’s view of the country’s long road to Juneteenth, recounting both its origins in Texas and the enormous hardships that African-Americans have endured in the century since, from Reconstruction through Jim Crow and beyond. All too aware of the stories of cowboys, ranchers, and oilmen that have long dominated the lore of the Lone Star State, Gordon-Reed—herself a Texas native and the descendant of enslaved people brought to Texas as early as the 1820s—forges a new and profoundly truthful narrative of her home state, with implications for us all. Combining personal anecdotes with poignant facts gleaned from the annals of American history, Gordon-Reed shows how, from the earliest presence of Black people in Texas to the day in Galveston on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger announced the end of legalized slavery in the state, African-Americans played an integral role in the Texas story. Reworking the traditional “Alamo” framework, she powerfully demonstrates, among other things, that the slave- and race-based economy not only defined the fractious era of Texas independence but precipitated the Mexican-American War and, indeed, the Civil War itself. In its concision, eloquence, and clear presentation of history, On Juneteenth vitally revises conventional renderings of Texas and national history. As our nation verges on recognizing June 19 as a national holiday, On Juneteenth is both an essential account and a stark reminder that the fight for equality is exigent and ongoing.

Fraser Simons

Well written. It feels like it ranges far aground from the initial expectations because it is a collection of essays, it is certainly very eliminating in some respects, at least to me. And therefor very valuable.

Natalie Sypeck 

I want it noted that I got the Arc copy of this book from Value Village. It was not sent to me and some of my complained could have been corrected for the final copy.
2.5 stars
I don't think I really new what I was getting into when I picked up this book, but it wasn't this. I didn't really care about the authors person stories and don't feel they really added anything to the story. I also felt like some of the events she talked about were talked about in way too much detail, like why are we still going on about this and why can't I see why it was important. I single paragraph could have done what was done in 2-3 pages. I wish she had gone more into the actual celebration of Juneteenth and what it meant to people. Over all I was just kind of bored.

On Juneteenth

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