SUGAR IN THE BLOOD A Family's Story of Slavery and Empire

The author's ancestors came to the New World in the 1630s. In this book she uses historical research and a talented sensibility to create a stirring account of how Caribbean sugar molded a continent and impacted the world. Through her story, we learn that a confluence of valuable natural resources, the practice of slavery, and unbridled economic competition set a course for development and exploitation that still resonates today. Narrator Lisa Renee Pitts's high, breathy voice with a hint of the South projects an authentic personality. She does, however, sound as if she is forcing her voice to be more emotional and insistent than it needs to be. Stuart's writing is effective enough to stand on its own, and Pitts's efforts lessen its impact. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2013]