A Madmans Will, Gregory May
A Madmans Will, Gregory May
List: $17.99 | Sale: $12.59
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A Madman's Will
John Randolph, 400 Slaves, and the Mirage of Freedom

Author: Gregory May

Narrator: Johnny Heller

Unabridged: 8 hr 38 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/11/2023


Synopsis

Few legal cases in American history are as riveting as the controversy surrounding the will of Virginia Senator John Randolph (1773–1833), which—almost inexplicably—freed all 383 of his slaves in one of the largest and most publicized manumissions in American history. So famous is the case that Ta-Nehisi Coates has used it to condemn Randolph’s cousin, Thomas Jefferson, for failing to free his own slaves. With this groundbreaking investigation, historian Gregory May now reveals a more surprising story, showing how madness and scandal shaped John Randolph’s wildly shifting attitudes toward his slaves—and how endemic prejudice in the North ultimately deprived the freedmen of the land Randolph had promised them. Sweeping from the legal spectacle of the contested will through the freedmen’s dramatic flight and horrific reception in Ohio, A Madman’s Will is an extraordinary saga about the alluring promise of freedom and its tragic limitations.

About Gregory May

Gregory May is the author of Jefferson's Treasure: How Albert Gallatin Saved the New Nation from Debt. He practiced law in Washington, DC, and New York for thirty years and now lives in Virginia.

About Johnny Heller

Johnny Heller is an award-winning narrator and one of the most sought-after voiceover coaches in the nation. An ALA Odyssey Award winner, AudioFile Golden Voice, and a Grammy nominee, he has narrated over 1,000 titles in almost every genre. A multiple recipient of Booklist and Publishers Weekly Starred Reviews, Publishers Weekly Listen Up Awards, and AudioFile Magazine Best Voice of the Year recognitions, he is regularly nominated for Earphones and Audies and is a multi-award winner of both.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Brendan

John Randolph was a madman alright. He owned 383 slaves. He defended the institution of slavery. Well, mostly. He manumitted all 383 slaves when he died. Or did he? When you have multiple wills, with multiple codicils, and a penchant for changing your mind on a whim while making people angry, it can......more

Goodreads review by Janalyn

In 1821 John Randolph a Virginia senator and a man of great wealth put and his will that all his slaves would be freed and given $10,000 to relocate. It would take 13 years and 30 of the slaves wouldn’t make it to see freedom but six unborn babies and countless other infants and toddlers would only......more

while informative and in conclusion a worthwhile read, it was a big chore to read good luck......more