"Bound for Canaan"

Bound for Canaan: The Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America (Fergus Bordewich)

Hey, I know this guy! And unlike "America's Great Debate", I don't have to knock off half a point for a goofy rhyming title this time! I liked Bordewich's previous book well enough, and I liked this one even more. I put this down to the fact that this is, as far as I know, the first and only exhaustive history of the underground railroad, and let's be honest, it's probably inherently more exciting reading about slaves escaping bondage than a bunch of rich white guys arguing about how far slavery should extend. Also, it's nice reading a book like this that's more uplifting than depressing - Tom Benton from the previous book might be a Profile in Courage, but even he wasn't down south risking his life leading people to freedom. Highly recommended.

Grade: A