Uncover the gripping reality of family and community in America’s antebellum South, far beyond popular myths. Brenda E. Stevenson meticulously weaves the intricate lives of planters, enslaved people, free blacks, and diverse whites in Loudoun County, Virginia. This powerful historical study reveals the complex dynamics of Southern society, the realities of plantation life, and the enduring strength of kinship networks, challenging conventional narratives. Essential for students of American history, sociology, and cultural studies, this book offers a nuanced understanding of race and family in a pivotal era.