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The 272

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The 272: The Families Who were Enslaved and Sold to Build The American Catholic Church
Image of the 2023 book jacket
2023 Book jacket
AuthorRachel L. Swarns
Audio read byKaren Murray
SubjectCatholic Church; Georgetown University History; Jesuits United States; Racism United States; Social science/slavery; Slavery Maryland
Genrenonfiction
Published2023
PublisherRandom House
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint, E-book, Audio
Pages352
AwardsSee Accolades
ISBN9780399590863
OCLC1354504740
WebsiteOfficial website

The 272: The Families Who were Enslaved and Sold to Build The American Catholic Church is a nonfiction book written by Rachel L. Swarns and released on June 13, 2023, by Random House.[1][2][3][4] It covers the history of and intersection of the author's family with the 1838 Jesuit slave sale.

Synopsis

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In 1838, prominent Catholic leaders of the Jesuits Order sold 272 enslaved people to fund Georgetown University. The book chronicles the history behind this event by following an enslaved family for almost 200 years. This book also shows how the Catholic Church in the United States depended on slave labor to run its institutions and grow its influence.[1][3]

Accolades

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Chosen as a notable book of the year by The New York Times, in the nonfiction category. [5] Also, chosen as a best book of year by The New Yorker and The Washington Post.[6][7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Blight, David W. (June 28, 2023). "The Slave Sale That Saved — and Stained — Georgetown". The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  2. ^ Araujo, Ana Lucia (July 13, 2023). "An intimate account of the enslaved people sold to save Georgetown". Washington Post. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Elie, Paul (June 27, 2023). "Confronting Georgetown's History of Enslavement". The New Yorker.
  4. ^ Prusak, Bernard G. (August 19, 2023). "New book 'The 272' traces enslavement practices in the US Catholic church". National Catholic Reporter.
  5. ^ "100 Notable Books of 2023". The New York Times. 21 November 2023.
  6. ^ "The Best Books of 2023". The New Yorker (magazine). December 20, 2023.
  7. ^ "The 272". Penguin Random House. June 13, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
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Further reading

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