“Spillman is an exceptionally thoughtful and engaging guide through the questions and debates that have animated the study of slavery — and freedom — in America for the past two-and-a-half centuries.”
—Hannah Joyner, Washington Independent Review of Books
“Simply amazing—a brilliant tour d'horizon of 250 years of American thinking and writing about slavery.”
—James T. Campbell, author of Middle Passages
“Spillman shows us the stakes regarding the history of slavery could not be higher. Brilliant, biting, and timely.”
—Kellie Carter Jackson, author of We Refuse
“A breathtaking survey . . . essential reading for anyone who hopes to come to terms with America’s tortured past.”
—James Oakes, author of Freedom National
“An essential book.”
—David A. Bell, Princeton University
excerpts & outtakes
On William Dunning and Ulrich Phillips: “How a Group of 19th-Century Historians Helped Relativize the Violent Legacy of Slavery”
On slavery and the academy: “How the Study of Slavery Has Shaped the Academy”
On the study of slave songs: “The Sorrow Songs” [note on sources]
On David Brion Davis and slavery: "The Problem of Slavery"
podcasts, talks, etc.
Reckoning with Jason Herbert (coming soon)
Skipped History (coming soon)
Phil Gaimon (coming soon)
Required Reading from Liberties, March 2025
Western Civ Podcast, March 2025
AskHistorians Podcast, March 2025
Yale University, December 2023
other
On research at the Columbia Rare Book and Manuscript Library: “Scott Spillman on Stanley Elkins and Eric McKitrick”