Book of slave narratives recognized by Choice magazine

Published: January 24, 2011

Susanna Ashton image by: Clemson University

By Max Sewesky

CLEMSON — A Clemson University associate professor of English has been recognized in Choice magazine for her landmark compilation of South Carolina slave narratives.

Susanna Ashton’s book, “I Belong to South Carolina: South Carolina Slave Narratives,” was selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2010. The Outstanding Title designation is awarded annually to the best academic titles reviewed by the magazine.

“I Belong to South Carolina” is a collection of first-person narratives written by African-American slaves in South Carolina. The book also includes a series of explanatory passages that serve to place the stories — and authors — in their historical context. Though hundreds of slave narratives have been published, few exist that are specific to South Carolina. Of these, even fewer are available to the general public. Ashton’s book more than doubles the number currently available.

“These people who survived to tell about their bondage disappeared from our cultural memory for a long time,” Ashton said. “Their triumphs, tragedies and witnessing to our history deserve honor. They were outstanding.”

“I Belong to South Carolina” is the result of collaboration between Ashton and several Clemson students. Six undergraduate and one graduate student worked on the book, which was the focus of a Clemson Creative Inquiry project.

Ashton’s book received enthusiastic praise from Choice reviewer B.M. Banta of Arkansas State University. He called the book “essential” for libraries and praised Ashton and her team for doing “readers of Southern history and African American history a real service.”

Ten percent of the approximately 7,000 works submitted to the magazine each year are selected as Outstanding Academic Titles. Choice magazine is published by the American Library Association and is considered a trusted source of news about academic books by librarians and scholars nationwide.

“I Belong to South Carolina” was published in 2010 by the University of South Carolina Press.

Ashton's research focuses on 19^th and early 20^th century American literature and slave narratives. She will be visiting locations across South Carolina through 2011, speaking and signing copies of her book. A list of dates and locations for these visits is available at the Clemson Department of English blog.

Clemson’s English department offers a bachelor of arts in English program with concentrations in literature and writing and publication, as well as two graduate programs: master of arts in English and master of arts in professional communication.

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