Diane P. (KentuckyReader) -
Will appeal to anyone with an interest in Kentucky or Mammoth Cave, including cavers
While most books about slaves focus primarily on those who lived on, or escaped from, Southern plantations, Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar is one of the few about the non-plantation slave experience. Stephen Bishop, was a cave explorer as well as slave, who became Mammoth Cave's most popular guide and America's first great cave explorer. What distinguished Stephen Bishop from most other slaves even more was the way he was treated. Although his owner clearly did not consider him as an equal, Bishop was nevertheless treated better than most slaves.
Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar focuses mainly on Charlotte Brown Bishop, the widow of Stephen Bishop. The story begins with her childhood and continues through the years of her growing older, meeting Stephen Bishop and their marriage. I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone.
While most books about slaves focus primarily on those who lived on, or escaped from, Southern plantations, Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar is one of the few about the non-plantation slave experience. Stephen Bishop, was a cave explorer as well as slave, who became Mammoth Cave's most popular guide and America's first great cave explorer. What distinguished Stephen Bishop from most other slaves even more was the way he was treated. Although his owner clearly did not consider him as an equal, Bishop was nevertheless treated better than most slaves.
Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar focuses mainly on Charlotte Brown Bishop, the widow of Stephen Bishop. The story begins with her childhood and continues through the years of her growing older, meeting Stephen Bishop and their marriage. I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone.
