David Silkenat Book order

Scars on the Land is the first comprehensive history of American slavery to examine how the environment fundamentally formed enslaved people's lives and how slavery remade the Southern landscape.

Focusing on the experiences of Civil War-era refugees in North Carolina, the book explores the diverse groups affected by the conflict, including enslaved African Americans, white Unionists, pro-Confederate whites, and young women from boarding schools. It highlights the humanitarian crisis resulting from their displacement, driven by economic pressures and disease, while revealing the inadequate responses from government and charitable organizations. Through these narratives, it underscores the complexities of survival amidst the chaos of war.

Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the book examines how black and white North Carolinians grappled with changing moral perspectives on suicide, divorce, and debt. Through these pressing societal issues, David Silkenat delves into the evolving sentiments that emerged during this tumultuous period, highlighting the complexities of human experience and moral interpretation in a time of crisis.