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Instant number-one New York Times best seller

Longlisted for the 2021 National Book Award for Nonfiction

Beginning in his hometown of New Orleans, Clint Smith leads the listener on an unforgettable tour of monuments and landmarks - those that are honest about the past and those that are not - that offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has been central in shaping our nation’s collective history, and ourselves.

It is the story of the Monticello Plantation in Virginia, the estate where Thomas Jefferson wrote letters espousing the urgent need for liberty while enslaving more than four hundred people. It is the story of the Whitney Plantation, one of the only former plantations devoted to preserving the experience of the enslaved people whose lives and work sustained it. It is the story of Angola, a former plantation-turned-maximum-security prison in Louisiana that is filled with Black men who work across the 18,000-acre land for virtually no pay. And it is the story of Blandford Cemetery, the final resting place of tens of thousands of Confederate soldiers.

A deeply researched and transporting exploration of the legacy of slavery and its imprint on centuries of American history, How the Word Is Passed illustrates how some of our country’s most essential stories are hidden in plain view - whether in places we might drive by on our way to work, holidays such as Juneteenth, or entire neighborhoods like downtown Manhattan, where the brutal history of the trade in enslaved men, women, and children has been deeply imprinted.

Informed by scholarship and brought to life by the story of people living today, Smith’s debut work of nonfiction is a landmark of reflection and insight that offers a new understanding of the hopeful role that memory and history can play in making sense of our country and how it has come to be.

How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America

In his groundbreaking book, "How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America," Clint Smith embarks on a profound journey to uncover the hidden stories of slavery's enduring legacy in the United States.

Smith travels to eight different sites across the country, each with a unique connection to the history of slavery, to explore the ways in which the past continues to shape the present. He visits plantations, museums, and memorials, engaging with historians, activists, and descendants of enslaved people to gain a deeper understanding of the lasting impact of this dark chapter in American history.

Through vivid storytelling and thought-provoking analysis, Smith exposes the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality in America. He delves into the ways in which the history of slavery has been suppressed, distorted, and even erased, and he challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable truths about the nation's past.

"How the Word Is Passed" is a powerful and necessary work that forces us to confront the deep-rooted consequences of slavery in America. Smith's writing is both deeply personal and meticulously researched, as he weaves together historical accounts, personal narratives, and contemporary observations to create a comprehensive and deeply moving exploration of the legacy of slavery.

This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of race and racism in America. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of reckoning with the past in order to build a more just and equitable future.