COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War

"COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War" plunges readers into one of the lesser-known yet pivotal episodes of the Civil War, guided by the fearless Harriet Tubman. Scheduled for release on February 9, 2024, this compelling narrative, enriched by previously unexamined documents and penned by Edda L. Fields-Black, a descendant of a raid participant, captures a crucial moment in American history. The book details Tubman’s role in the Combahee River Raid where, under her leadership, 730 enslaved people were liberated in a daring assault on South Carolina's rice plantations. This operation not only disrupted the Confederacy’s economic backbone but also paved the way for the freed individuals to fight for the emancipation of others and eventually forge the unique Gullah Geechee cultural identity. Recognized by Publishers Weekly and Library Journal with starred reviews, and listed among Booklist’s Top Ten History Books of 2024, this work is an essential read for high school students studying racial justice, gender equality, economic justice, and indigenous rights. Through Tubman's audacious spirit and strategic acumen, "COMBEE" invites readers to reflect on the intersections of courage, leadership, and freedom, and challenges us to consider the enduring impacts of these historical events on contemporary social justice.