Reviews for Escape Betwixt Two Suns: A True Tale of the Underground Railroad in Illinois

The average rating for Escape Betwixt Two Suns: A True Tale of the Underground Railroad in Illinois based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2010-03-27 00:00:00 Rick Smith This is a historical account of the 1842 escape of five slaves from a farm in southern Illinois. They were fleeing in terror from their master, who happens to be our great great great grandfather (that's four greats to you, Ashley & Maddie), Major Andrew Borders. Sorry to say that he comes off as a bit of a Simon Legree, which does not make me feel proud. The book also describes the trial of the lawsuit that he brought (and won) against his neighbor who had helped the slaves escape.

Review # 2 was written on 2019-09-17 00:00:00 Idolo Valeri Enjoyed this book a lot. While researching my ancestors in Randolph County Illinois, I was horrified to find that in this "free state" the county court house included page after page of registrations where enslaved people brought north where indentured to the masters who brought them north for years and years. This is the story of one of those enslaved women, Susan, and the family that helped her when she and her children were severely mis-treated and chose to escape. William Hayes was a devout covenanter, who, along with his church, believed that slavery was sin and was not afraid to act on that belief even when it cost him a great deal. The book is mainly based on letters recently found in William Hayes's old home that document his underground railroad activities and the trial for his role in Susan's escape. The writing in this book wasn't always amazing, but it was well researched and very interested, especially since my own ancestors were members of the same church as William Hayes and doubtless would have known him.