Recognized African American educator and storyteller Barbara G. Marthal announces the publication of her book, “Fighting for Freedom: A Documented Story.” The experiences of a young Confederate soldier and his servant who enlisted in the Tennessee militia in 1861 are reconstructed in this well researched work, providing readers with a complex understanding of the Civil War era.
In “Fighting for Freedom,” Barbara covers the journey of these two people using primary source papers, exploring their reasons for enlisting in the military, the servant's trip to freedom, and their post-war life. In addition to showing personal history, the story highlights the value of research abilities in discovering and comprehending the stories of our ancestors.
This story is strengthened by a very intimate connection, the servant in the novel married Barbara's first cousin three times removed. This familial connection gives the narrative depth and emphasizes how crucial personal histories are to understanding larger historical events.
Her significant experience as a Civil War reenactor and her dedication to sharing stories drawn from historical literature and family research highlight Barbara's passion for teaching and storytelling. Her goal is to give Antebellum Americans of African origin a voice and a face, especially both free and enslaved women, by offering a glimpse into their everyday life that goes beyond the flat portrayal of suffering. She highlights in these stories of people who, while possessing their own distinct identities, had the same aspirations for community, love, and hope for themselves and their families as the rest of humanity.
Historians, educators, and readers interested in Civil War narratives are encouraged to explore this insightful book to gain a deeper understanding of the era and the power of primary sources in storytelling. “Fighting for Freedom: A Documented Story” is now at www.amazon.com
About the Author
Barbara G. Marthal is owner and representative of SULI (Stories-U-Like, Inc.). As its representative she provides seminars on the use of storytelling, literature and music in the classroom; grades K-12. She designs and conducts workshops that empower participants through the use of stories, music and creative movement.
In addition to storytelling performances, she occasionally accepts speaking engagements. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee, with a major in Sociology and a minor in Anthropology. She also holds a Master of Education with a concentration in Reading and Story Arts from East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
She is a Civil War re-enactor who shared stories inspired by historical texts and family research in Tennessee (Wilson and Davidson counties). Her intent was to give voice and face to Antebellum Americans of African descent, particularly women, both enslaved and free. The purpose of her stories was to provide a glimpse into the daily lives of slaves and free people of color, going beyond the one-dimensional image of victimization. Through these stories, she focused on a people who had their own unique sense of self and shared with all humanity the same dreams of hope, love, and community for themselves and their families.
Barbara lives with her husband, Bill Harris, an active member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. She is a member of the Confederate Belles of Tennessee. They enjoy attending events and sharing the history of their ancestors during the Civil War.
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