"We Will Be Free" by Nancy Koester offers a comprehensive exploration of Sojourner Truth's life and her profound impact on the abolitionist and Black feminist movements. Koester delves into intimate details of Truth's journey, from her early life to her transformation into a minister and public speaker. Despite her illiteracy, Truth's tireless activism is admirable. As the Civil War unfolded, her alliance with Harriet Tubman became evident, and her relationships with fellow abolitionists facilitated assistance for freedpeople. Through this book, Truth's unwavering faith and its role in her leadership become clear. I am grateful to NetGallery for providing the e-ARC, which enriched my understanding of this remarkable woman.

Sojurner Truth is an iconic name in civil rights but most people seem to know very little about her. Her life story is the stuff of fiction. Born Isabella Baumfree, she was originally from New York State, her first language was Dutch, and she spoke English with a Dutch accent. Despite this, her well-known speech, “Ain’t I A Woman?” was written in Southern U.S. dialect. She didn’t know how to read and write so her speeches were dictated and published by other people.

This book sheds light on Truth’s religious faith and political activism making it a good purchase for any libraries needing material about Black History.

We Will Be Free The Life and Faith of Sojourner Truth by Nancy Koester

387 Pages
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
Release Date: February 21, 2023

Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Slavery, Multicultural, Civil Rights

Sojourner Truth was born Isabelle Baumfree but changed her name to Sojourner Truth when she was freed. She spent her life spreading the word of Jesus Christ and helping other people. She traveled the northeast to the Midwest trying to make people understand their rights. She wanted all people freed and to have equal rights. She was a leader in the suffragist movement and kept a signature book.

This book is a chronicle of her life as a preacher traveling. She kept little money and gave most to the poor and homeless. She worked with organizations and approached the government to provide lands for freed people. The author covers areas of Sojourner’s life I was unaware of. As a project manager, one of my projects was the Sojourner Truth library in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Just when you think you know everything about a historical person, someone comes out with more information. If you like historical nonfiction or American history, this is a must read.

Nancy Koester researched Sojourner Truth extensively. I learned much I didn't know both about Sojourner as well as the times in which she lived, especially slavery in the New York/New England area. I recommend the book because of her excellent research. Koester gives an excellent picture of what it is like to live in New York pre-civil war as a slave or a free person of color.

This is a wonderful book about Sojourner Truth’s extraordinary life. How a woman born a slave in New York lived through the hardships of slavery, losing connections with most of her family. Then finding freedom and becoming a tireless leader for the abolitionist movement and the feminist movement. Her life spanned the Antebellum period, Civil War and Reconstruction and she was actively involved with everyone she could persuade with her enthusiastic speeches, songs and works.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC

An exceptional book about an extraordinary woman! This book offers a very detailed description of Sojourner Truths life. A definite must read!
I was provided an ARC copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

We Will Be Free by Nancy Koester provides reader with an in depth history of who Sojourner Truth was and the impact she had on the abolitionist movement as well as the movement of Black feminist rights. I enjoyed reading about the intimate details of Sojourner's life even before she changed her name and moved up north to pursue her calling as a minister and public speaker. I am in awe of the amount of work Truth was able to do despite her inability to read and write. It's noted that she embraced nonviolence until the Civil War started at which point she became very close with Harriet Tubman. The relationships that Truth was able to develop over the course of her life with peers and abolitionists alike allowed her to find homes and jobs for freedpeople in the North and for herself.

After reading We Will Be Free I am more clear than ever about the woman of faith Sojourner Truth was and just how much her Christianity helped her to lead and guide others.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!