Anisfield-Wolf Book Club
Immerse yourself in the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards canon through our monthly virtual book club.
Explore thoughtful book discussion questions, exclusive author content, and thoughts on the winning books from AWBA program director, jurors and partners each month!
December’s Selection: 2025 Nonfiction Winner, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, A True Story of Slavery, A Rediscovered Narrative, with a Full Biography, John Swanson Jacobs, Edited by Jonathan D. S. Schroeder
A stunning achievement of autobiographical writing, political commentary, historical sleuthing, and critical interpretation. Originally written and published by the abolitionist and sailor John Swanson Jacobs in 1855, the memoir was rediscovered and republished by the literary scholar Jonathan Schroeder in 2024.
Book Discussion Questions
Whether you are hosting your next book club or would simply like some questions to guide your reading, program director of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, Kortney Morrow, has curated a selection of questions to consider while you read The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots.
Recommended Reading
Did you enjoy reading The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots? If so, we recommend the following books to add to your reading list!
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Harriet Jacobs
David Walker’s Appeal, David Walker
We Refuse, Kellie Carter Jackson
Magnumb, Arthur Jafa
Scenes of Subjection, Saidiya Hartman
Tacky’s Revolt, Vincent Brown
Explore Previous Anisfield-Wolf Book Club Selections
