“20 great books by Hudson Valley authors released in 2024”

“A Hudson Valley Reckoning explores the often overlooked history of slavery in New York, perpetuated by Dutch settlers since the state was called New Amsterdam. ”

“A Hudson Valley Reckoning: Discovering the Forgotten History of Slaveholding in My Dutch American Family (Cornell University Press, 2024) tells the long-ignored story of slavery’s history in upstate New York through Debra Bruno’s absorbing chronicle that uncovers her Dutch ancestors’ slave-holding past and leads to a deep connection with the descendants of the enslaved people her family owned.”

“The book focuses on Bruno’s hometown of Athens and other towns south of Albany on the west side of the Hudson—Catskill, Coxsackie, New Baltimore. It’s full of astonishing tales of suffering and resistance.”

“The book is not only a genealogical inquiry and a history of slavery in the mid-Hudson Valley, but also an excavation of the carefully constructed cultural fiction that paints the North as an innocent bystander to America’s original sin.”

“Bruno and Mire embarked on a years-long dive into historical documents, paintings, homes, cemeteries, art, online forums and more. Bruno’s new memoir “A Hudson Valley Reckoning” — including an epilogue by Mire, who opted not to be a co-writer — is an eye-opening, detailed and moving account of the seldom told story of Northern slavery, and their own families’ histories.”

“While chasing down these little-known stories, Bruno examines her own intentions: “Was I looking for absolution?” Her answer: a calling drew her to the task—and good thing, too, for this is very well done. . . . A strong, surprising addition to the history of slavery in America.”

“A valiant, in-depth, and invaluable investigation.”

“The history of the Hudson Valley in this book is a fascinating read and a valuable resource.”

“What Bruno did was write her first book, “A Hudson Valley Reckoning: Discovering the Forgotten History of Slaveholding in My Dutch Family” (Three Hills, an Imprint of Cornell University Press). In her book, Bruno not only unearths much of her family’s past that included over 20 enslavers, but she also reached out to Black Americans tracing their own ancestry. She eventually met and became friends with Eleanor C. Mire, a descendant of a woman enslaved by one of Bruno’s Dutch ancestors.”

“The book is strongly recommended to all who love investigatory researching, an engrossing story, and Hudson Valley color in particular.”

“With the help of Mire, who provides a moving epilogue, Debra Bruno tells the story of white and Black lives impacted by the stain of slavery and its long legacy of racism, as she investigates the erasure of the uncomfortable truths about our family and national histories.”

“A Hudson Valley Reckoning is an intimate memoir of historical research. Ms. Bruno blends a style reminiscent of film noir voice-over and an investigative tone resonant with her experience in journalism. ”