Customer Reviews

A Communion of the Spirits: African-American Quilters, Preservers, and Their Stories

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Roland Freeman deserves to be canonized for this wonderful, insightful and spiritual look at African American quilts and, most importantly, quilters. I have been an "art" quilter for ten years and have read many books on the subject of quilts, both traditional and not-so traditional. Freeman goes beyond the technical perfection that almost all other books honor and shows the artistry inherent in just doing a quilt - with no need for rules, regulations, stitch-counting and other limiting notions. He venerates the people who made the quilts -- who in all other quilt books take backstage to their skills. I was so impressed with him as a writer, a photographer and most of all as a human being that I may never get over reading this book -- needless to say, I highly recommend it!

Awesome Inspirational is this book which culminates a 26 year span of this phenomenal man's life that he devoted to recording the lives of Afrcian American quilters throughout the U.S.!! This book should be in every African American home to appreciate and cultivate the dynamic roles that women, men and children have preserved their heritage as more than just a work of art but more as their unique way of expression! This book can motivate, stimulate our next generation and I feel, be placed in a time capsule as it is really a document of testimonials that have bridged the gap of time. I was fortunate to not only see the 1st exhibit in Detroit at the Museum of African American History on March 21, 1998, but also had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Mr. Freeman, a humble man of vison, great determination and integrity. I was awed and determined that the next book I would be in----it affected me that much. Any historian or educator should have their class see this exhibit!!! This is a MUST-SEE for EVERYONE!!!!! I was also fortunate to meet Gerry Benton of Pittsburgh, PA who is in this book and her quilts are phenomenal as I see why she's in there!!!

African-American Quilters, Preservers and Their Stories represents the first national survey & a personal record of how this photographer & folkorist's life has intertwined with the world of quiltmaking.

The communion refers to the power of quilts to create a virtual web of connections-individual, generational, professional, physical, spiritual, cultural & historical. Some of the names of those glorious quilts are: Rainbow Block; Slave Chain; Log Cabin; Three Pigs in a Pen; Double Wedding Ring; Black Jack Scarecrow; Monsters, Dragons and Flies; African Diaspora; African-American Women; African-American Men; Memories of My Father's Death; Memories; Scripture; Martin Luther King Jr.; Hand Me Down My Mother's Work; Mother Africa's Children; The Underground Railroad; Baltimore Arabber Selling Watermelons; Harriet Tubman Quilt & Tableau.

For all those who consider quilt making one of America's finest crafts, this will be a lifetime companion & will rekindle that dramatic & endearing form of art. Very well done!

You have got to read this book! It is filled with women & men & the love of fabric & colors; of the love of design & community coming together to stitch lives together. Do visit my site for my full review & more books on quilting.

Mr Freeman's passion and understanding of the human spirit revealed in quiltmaking is both remarkable and inspirational. This is a book that speaks to all quiltmakers,....it educates, entertains, and inspires.One of my most favorite books. It gets to the heart of a quilt...not about technique and pretty blankets, but about the heart & soul of the men & women who made them.This is a book to be read, and reread again. I have given it often as a gift (to non quiltmakers as well), and their response has been enthusiastic! No one who has read this book doesn't love this book. Roland Freeman has done us all a great service! He curates a traveling exhibit on this subject which I hear is outstanding as well.

This book is truly awesome. Although I have almost every quiltmaking book in print, the photos here are of the most unique and breathtakingly beautiful I've ever seen. And the accompanying stories about the quiltmakers are at once inspirational and humbling ... e.g., a quilt depicting the lynching of a woman's father, and explanation of how neighbors were afraid to attend the funeral. (Don't let that discourage you; most of the quilts are uplifting and gorgeous by any standards -- and the few sad ones are incredibly moving and meaningful.)

I can't imagine anyone not loving this book. Frankly, I was so awed by the gifted artists whose work is contained therein that my first thought was that African Americans have all the talent and creativity (and, no, I'm not an African American). Even if you're not moved by the stories/bios (although I can't imagine not being), you've *GOT* to be awed and inspired by the extraordinarily beautiful and truly unique quilting, which cannot help but enable you to improve your own designs.

I wish that there were more stars than 5 ... This book deserves the highest rating imaginable.

Being perfectly honest, I bought this book because a relative was featured. But the more I looked at the photos, the more fascinated I became! I ended up reading the book from cover to cover! One could feel that this was a true labor of love for Mr. Freeman! That he traveled all over this country visiting quilters, many he did not know before he arrived on their doorsteps. The African American networking among quilters was apparent as one quilter would recommend another, often in another state, whom Mr. Freeman should visit. The book is a true reference book on quilting. I learned about the major quilting patterns and saw so many varieties of the patterns. It is heartening to know that this folk art is still being practiced. Would that more people could see these quilts! There should be more exhibits. Surely many young people would be inspired to quilt. This is a art that must not fade away!!

This book thoroughly documents quilting and quilt makers from across the USA. Roland Freeman tells the story of the quilt makers largely through his spectacular photographs. He includes unknown but highly talented artists as well as celebrities who also quilt. The photographs are accompanied with stories from the artists, and these narratives provide a terrific base for understanding why this folk art retains its vibrancy in the 21st century. In many ways, Freeman's photography and writing can also be understood as part of the artistic fabric that he stitches together.

Influenced by his love of quilts, photographer Roland Freeman acts as anthrolopologist and quilting historian in this beautiful, comprehensive book. Featuring full color photos of African-American quilts and quilters and well-researched text, this book is a must-read even for non-quilting enthusiasts. The history and cultural heritage of a people have been preserved in this beautiful artform. I found myself moved after reading this book. You will be too.

I really enjoyed this book. You meet famous and not so famous people in this book. Some you will never forget like Hystercine Rankin, who made a quilt of her fathers killing in Mississippi, when she was only ten.She eventually won a $5000 prize for it. Or how the author talks about his family and the "healing quilt" and his lifelong affinity of quilts. The stories in here are good, and the quilts are out of this world. One of the best oral African American history books out there.

I purchased this book because of my new found interest in quilting. I couldn't pursue my new found interest until I completed the book. Needless to say I was unable to anything else with my spare time but finish this book. I just couldn't put it down. Mr. Freeman is remarkable. Now that I know more about the history of quilting my interest is even greater. Mr. Freeman THANK YOU!