Hammering for Freedom

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Hammering for Freedom book cover

Hammering for Freedom is a children's book about an enslaved man named William Lewis, who became a skilled blacksmith at a young age and was able to save enough coins to buy his freedom. Released in 2018, the book is written by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and illustrated by John Holyfield.

Summary

This book is based on a true story of William “Bill” Lewis, a man born into slavery. He wouldn’t rest until his whole family was free. Bill and his family were enslaved in Tennessee, where they worked long days in Col. Lewis’ fields. He worked so hard that he became very good at it. Col.Lewis leased him out, a typical practice, and began allowing Bill to keep a portion of the cash. Bill saved his coins and chose to ask Col. Lewis to allow him to lease himself. Col. Lewis agreed, for a huge yearly charge. Bill paid the expense and opened his own blacksmith shop, turning into the first African-American blacksmith in Chattanooga.

He worked long days and saved his money, with a goal to freed all of his family member.The content handily incorporates insights concerning laws overseeing the existences of oppressed individuals (Bill goes with a white escort; he purchases his better half's freedom first so their future kids wil be born free) while keeping readers hooked through each progression of Bill's plan.[1]

Impact

The assurance and diligence of Bill Lewis is unbelievable. In a general public intended to hold him down, he figured out how to discover a path forward to freedom. Hubbard ensures that readers see how unordinary this course of action was and how talented Lewis was as a blacksmith. The content keeps the tale of Lewis' life engaged and all well paced. It is a truly eadable biography.

The delineations are rich and glowing. The sharing of feelings and keeping feelings down play obviously on the page, exhibiting what amount must be covered up and not revealed to purchase freedom. It likewise shows in an exceptionally clear manner how restricted that freedom was.[2] This is a delightful book about breaking the chains of slavery; and, the perseverance and diligence of black families.[3]

References

  1. Kirkus Review. Hammering For Freedom. Retrieved on December 31, 2020.
  2. Tasha (2018). REVIEW: HAMMERING FOR FREEDOM BY RITA LORRAINE HUBBARD. Retrieved on December 31, 2020.
  3. Dalton, Angela (2019). Children’s Book Review: Hammering for Freedom: The William Lewis Story. Retrieved on December 31, 2020.