Ascension

“An in-depth and nuanced analysis. . . . Academics and non-academics can benefit from this introduction to the James family to understand their avenues to success as African-Americans who became highly successful despite structural barriers related to socioeconomic status, race, and gender.”—Ethnic and Racial Studies

“Lois Benjamin accomplishes a remarkable feat. . . . With emotion and clarity [this book] recounts the legacy of the close-knit James family, inspiring anyone seeking to tell their family story. It distinctively crafts the narrative from a sociological perspective. . . . This study in legacy-telling is a model that all can learn from while researching and sharing our own family stories.”—National Genealogical Society Quarterly

“Ascension is a masterfully refined piece of scholarship . . . [and] a polished gift for readers.”—North Carolina Historical Review

“A captivating, nearly century-long story . . . that will serve as a methodological and theoretical anchor for other scholars. Benjamin positions the James family as a case study for understanding social reproduction of values. A significant contribution to the field.”—Candice Robinson, University of North Carolina Wilmington

“To disrupt long-held beliefs about pathology in Black families, Benjamin uses scholarly literature to tell a beautiful story about the faith, values, and work ethic of one Black family in North Carolina. At times this book reads almost like a memoir, a testimony of love and respect.”—Earl Smith, University of Delaware