I Cannot Tell a Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants [Paperback]

Linda Allen Bryant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

The First President: Documented national history tells us that the nation's first president had no children. But the oral history of the descendants of an African-American family tells a different story. The Controversy: I Cannot Tell A Lie: A Novel Based on the True Story of George Washington's African-American Descendants is a book most adequately described by its title. Many people will believe the story of George Washington fathering an African-American son. Many more will find it impossible to accept the fact that he crossed the color line and deigned to establish an intimacy with a mulatto slave woman named Venus. Their fateful union during the era of antebellum slavery produced a son, West Ford. The Secret: As time and space distanced the Ford family from its beginnings at Mount Vernon, each generation continued to walk a precarious line, bearing the weight of their heritage and constantly battling issues of skin color, status, and identity. This extraordinary story spans five generations of family chroniclers, charged with the task of keeping their family heritage alive;and secret until now. Share the Ford family's triumphs and tragedies; it will leave you wanting more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Linda Allen Bryant has spent over twenty years carefully researching her family's genealogy and the surrounding issues. As a result, she has become an expert in early American history and race relations, including the numerous laws, codes, amendments, and critical players of 200 years of the nation's history.

As one of the official chronicler's of the Ford family heritage, Bryant has appeared on numerous news programs, such as the Today Show, the CBS Morning Show, PBS Frontline, The History Channel and MSNBC. Bryant has also been interviewed by numerous print publications.

Linda Allen Bryant's research is ongoing. Her work focuses on preserving the collective heritage of the family patriarch, West Ford, and his descendants.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Writer's Showcase Press (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595178782
• ISBN-13: 978-0595178780
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,048,195 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

L. A. Hollis is a published author. She is a columnist and feature writer for the Traveler Weekly Newspaper, Peoria, Illinois, and for other local and regional publications. She resides in Southern California with her husband, Mark, and their five children.

The author loves a great romance story and "Going in Circles" should satisfy all those hopeless romantics who love a happy ever after ending, but with a few twists and turns along the way. She is currently working on her third novel which should be released early next year.

She enjoys hearing from and responding to her readers.

Official web site www.lahollis.com
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ca7ovZreK8

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History's Hidden Chapter, July 10, 2001

By 

Macon Shad Criswell (Baton Rouge, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Cannot Tell a Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants (Paperback)

Though touted as a "novel," the back matter of this book demonstrates that this author did some serious research in putting together "I Cannot Tell a Lie." This extensive saga gives the reader a wrenching, personal tour through the victories and heartaches of one family - who spent 200 years in the shadow of a secret that can - and will - change the way the world views American history. There is much to be learned from this fascinating book, aside from the astonishing revelation that the blood of our first national hero lives on in an African American family. The book gives us a whole new set of heros - in the form of courageous, lively people of color, and of mixed race - who have been omitted from our texts. This is a generous gift to America and the author is to be applauded. Read this book if you're ready to hear the truth about what America is, and should be, all about.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "OH GEORGE", July 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: I Cannot Tell a Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants (Paperback)

I LIKE THIS BOOK! IT IS A GREAT BOOK TO ADD TO HISTORY. IT'S GOOD TO KNOW THAT THE OL GENERAL WAS HUMAN AFTER ALL. HEY MAYBE THE GOVERNMENT WILL PUT GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SON ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOLLAR? (WELL IT WAS A THOUGHT) A GREAT HISTORY LEASON FOR ALL THOSE LOST FAMILIES. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, AND DONT FORGET TO "STAND TALL"

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provocative, compelling chronicle, July 6, 2001

By 

B. Caldwell (Denver, Co United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Cannot Tell a Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants (Paperback)

I thought I knew my American history, but I was astounded by what I learned from this book that teaches, but reads like a novel. Ms Bryant has done some fascinating work researching her family's journey from the Bushfield plantation of 1785 through the Civil War and race riots in Chicago in 1919. You'll find much of this is mysteriously missing from our current high school history curriculum. Woven throughout the book is the thread of this family's strength fueled by their courage and commitment to place "family" above all else. Although sure to stir some controversy, this story needed to be told.