Jean Bradley Anderson

This is the best of the North Carolina local histories that I have read. The history of Durham county is representative of the history of the North Carolina Piedmont. It was only after the emancipation of enslaved persons that North Carolina was able to progress economically — just as antebellum abolitionists had predicted. Fair labor practices and humane social services, while not evolving as quickly as one might have hoped, have been the essential ingredients for success. The rise of Duke University to international prominence is a fascinating and important part of Durham’s history. Duke’s courage in defending academic freedom has been a critical factor in its remarkable achievements.… (more)