All That She Carried
This powerful non-fiction work uncovers the story of Ashley's Sack, a simple cotton bag passed down through generations of enslaved women. Through meticulous research, the author reconstructs the lives of Ashley, her mother Rose, and grandmother Nancy, tracing their experiences of love, loss, and resilience across centuries. It's a moving exploration of memory, family bonds, and the enduring legacy of slavery in America.
Ashley's Sack is a real historical artifact, a cotton bag passed down through generations of enslaved women, which serves as the central object around which the book's narrative and historical research are built. The book explores its journey and the lives connected to it, making it a powerful symbol of resilience and memory.
All That She Carried was awarded the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2021, recognizing its profound historical research and its moving exploration of American history through the lens of a single family's heirloom.
Tiya Miles is known for her scholarship on African American and Native American history, and this book continues her focus on uncovering marginalized voices and histories, particularly those of women, through meticulous archival research and compelling storytelling.