The Gilder Lehrman Institute is pleased to feature the most exciting history scholars in America discussing their books live. Book Breaks, a free, hour-long program that includes a Q&A with home audiences, happens every Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. In addition to Book Breaks, the Institute periodically features evening book talks as well. Check back here throughout the year for additional sessions dedicated to the topic of Black Lives in the Founding Era.
The Hemingses of Monticello: an american family
May 17, 2020 - Annette Gordon-Reed discusses her Pulitzer Prize–winning book The Hemingses of Monticello.
Order "The Hemingses of Monticello" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute Book Shop
THE BLACK CHURCH
June 2, 2021 - Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discusses his book The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song.
Order "The Black Church" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop
ON JUNETEENTH
May 3, 2021 - Annette Gordon Reed discusses her book On Juneteenth.
Order "On Juneteenth" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop
The Slave’s Cause: A History of Abolition
October 25, 2020 - Manisha Sinha discusses her book The Slave’s Cause: A History of Abolition
Order "The Slave's Cause" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop
Sexuality and Slavery: RECLAIMING INTIMATE HISTORIES IN THE AMERICAS
June 28, 2020 - Daina Ramey Berry and Leslie Harris discuss their book Sexuality and Slavery.
Order "Sexuality and Slavery" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop
voices of the enslaved: love, labor, and longing in french louisiana
March 21, 2021 - Sophie White discusses her book Voices of the Enslaved: Love, Labor, and Longing in French Louisiana
Order "Voices of the Enslaved" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute Book Shop
FORCE AND FREEDOM: BLACK ABOLITIONISTS AND THE POLITICS OF VIOLENCE
August 9, 2020 - Kellie Carter Jackson discusses her book Force and Freedom: Black Abolitionists and the Politics of Violence
Order "Force and Freedom" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute Book Shop
Jefferson's daughters: three sisters, white and black, in a young america
March 28, 2021 - Catherine Kerrison discusses her book Jefferson's Daughters: Three Sisters, White and Black, in a Young America
Order "Jefferson's Daughters" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute Book Shop
AT THE THRESHOLD OF LIBERTY: WOMEN, SLAVERY, AND SHIFTING IDENTITIES IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
June 27, 2021 - Tamika Nunley discusses her book At the Threshold of Liberty: Women, Slavery, and Shifting Identities in Washington, D.C.
Order "At the Threshold of Liberty" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop
THE FIRST RECONSTRUCTION: BLACK POLITICS IN AMERICA, FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE CIVIL WAR
May 16, 2021 - Van Gosse discusses his book The First Reconstruction: Black Politics in America, from the Revolution to the Civil War.
Order "The First Reconstruction" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop
What Is Slavery?
December 13, 2020 - Brenda E. Stevenson discusses her book What Is Slavery?
Order "What Is Slavery" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop
City of Refuge: Slavery and Petit Marronage in the Great Dismal Swamp, 1763–1856
January 10, 2021 - Marcus P. Nevius discusses his book City of Refuge: Slavery and Petit Marronage in the Great Dismal Swamp, 1763–1856.
Order "City of Refuge" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop
Moral Capital: Foundations of British Abolitionism
October 18, 2020 - Christopher Leslie Brown discusses his book Moral Capital: Foundations of British Abolitionism
Order "Moral Capital" at the Gilder Lehrman Institute's Book Shop