{"product_id":"the-anchor-of-the-soul-tales-of-african-american-rhode-island-9798234008459","title":"The Anchor of the Soul: Tales of African American Rhode Island","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFreedom! The word resonated like a bell in Scipio's head. He had never even thought about freedom before, but now, he suddenly craved it, ached for it. As he drifted off to sleep, Scipio knew in his heart that after the day's astounding events, he would never be the same again.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the true tale of an 80-year-old ex-slave's return to Africa, to the story of a once-legendary figure on the Providence waterfront, and the epoch-changing experiences of African American \"Buffalo Soldiers\" in World War I, this unique collection of historical fiction unearths little-known stories from the earliest days of Rhode Island's history to its present. Like links in a chain, twelve intertwining stories recall a past that remains a living fact in our lives. Drawing on a dark, true history, \u003cstrong\u003eThe Anchor of the Soul\u003c\/strong\u003e brings to life tales of courage, endurance, and inspiration. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eHope\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is the anchor of the soul.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the cobbled streets of colonial Newport to the modern-day struggle for equality, discover a sweeping saga of resilience, identity, and a steadfast assertion of belonging.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the tradition of Yaa Gyasi's \u003cem\u003eHomegoing\u003c\/em\u003e and Edward P. Jones's \u003cem\u003eThe Known World\u003c\/em\u003e, this powerful work of African American historical fiction weaves together a tapestry of stories inspired by real events spanning four centuries. Set against the unique backdrop of Rhode Island, it uncovers a hidden history of the North-tracing a line from slavery and segregation to second-class citizenship today.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEmbark on a journey through the eyes of people who shaped a small state and a great nation: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Stranger (1652): \u003c\/strong\u003e A White Newport minister confronts the ultimate moral question-whether a newly-arrived enslaved African is a man with a soul.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Testament of Okyerema Mireku (1826): \u003c\/strong\u003e A memoir of 80-year-old \u003cstrong\u003eex-slave\u003c\/strong\u003e, better remembered as Newport Gardner, written as his voyage back to Africa nears its destination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Tom (1857): \u003c\/strong\u003e The story of Thomas Howland, a legendary figure on the \u003cstrong\u003eProvidence waterfront\u003c\/strong\u003e, fighting for dignity in a world that tries to deny it to him.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe King of Snow Town (1876): \u003c\/strong\u003e A petty thief and local hero navigates the harsh existence of an \u003cstrong\u003eurban ghetto\u003c\/strong\u003e, proving that survival is its own form of brilliance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuffaloes (WWI): \u003c\/strong\u003e Chronicling the experience of \u003cstrong\u003eBuffalo Soldiers\u003c\/strong\u003e who fought for democracy abroad while laboring under \u003cstrong\u003eJim Crow segregation\u003c\/strong\u003e at home.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis profound exploration of the American Dream deferred will resonate with readers of literary fiction and multi-generational sagas. These interconnected lives reveal that while the challenges of different times may change, the spirit of a people remains indomitable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Moshassuck Press (2026)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/16\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798234008459\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 174\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.53lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.40d","brand":"James Doherty","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52679561871541,"sku":"9798234008459","price":8.46,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-anchor-of-the-soul-tales-of-african-american-rhode-island-9798234008459","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}