The Black Calhouns: From Civil War to Civil Rights with One African American Family

The Black Calhouns traces the journey of an African American family across five generations, from 1820s slavery through the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Author Gail Lumet Buckley, daughter of performer Lena Horne, reconstructs her family's path from bondage in Georgia to prominence in Atlanta and later New York City. The narrative centers on Moses Calhoun, born enslaved, who became a successful businessman in post-Civil War Atlanta. His descendants' stories intersect with major historical events and social movements, including Reconstruction, the Great Migration, and the fight for civil rights. Buckley draws from family documents, letters, and oral histories to document their experiences in both the American South and North. This family biography places personal stories within the broader context of African American progress and resistance. Through the experiences of multiple generations, the book examines the complex relationships between race, class, and opportunity in American society.

Readers found this family history informative but noted pacing issues and organization challenges. Many appreciated the personal stories that connected major historical events through the experiences of one extended family across generations. Likes: - Details about life in Atlanta's Black upper class - Connection to famous relatives like Lena Horne - Coverage of both Northern and Southern Black experiences - Inclusion of family photos and documents Dislikes: - Jumps between time periods and family members - Too many characters introduced without clear context - Writing style can be dry and academic - Some historical events covered too briefly Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (135 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (66 ratings) Common reader feedback mentions wanting more narrative flow and struggling to keep track of relationships. As one Amazon reviewer noted: "Important history but hard to follow all the family connections without a family tree diagram."

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🔹 Author Gail Lumet Buckley is the daughter of legendary performer Lena Horne and draws from her family's rich historical archives and oral histories to tell this multigenerational story. 🔹 The book traces the Calhoun family's journey from plantation life in Georgia through their emergence as a prominent Atlanta family, following various branches as they spread to Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and beyond. 🔹 Moses Calhoun, one of the central figures in the early part of the narrative, was born into slavery but became a successful businessman in post-Civil War Atlanta, eventually owning a barbershop in the Kimball House Hotel. 🔹 The Calhouns' story intersects with major figures of the Civil Rights Movement, including W.E.B. Du Bois, who was a family friend and frequent visitor to their Atlanta home. 🔹 The narrative spans nearly 150 years of American history, from the Civil War through the Civil Rights Movement, offering intimate perspectives on events like the Atlanta Race Riot of 1906, the Great Migration, and the integration of the American military.