By:Eliza Lee Cabot Follen Published By:Double9 Books
About the Book
In Who Spoke Next by Eliza Lee Cabot Follen, the stories are woven through the unique perspective of inanimate objects, each one recounting the events and emotions tied to its existence during the American Revolutionary War. The book opens with a musket that narrates its journey from England to America, experiencing the horrors of war and the loss of its master in battle. Through the musket’s eyes, readers witness the devastating toll of the war and the high cost of freedom. Following the musket’s account, other objects such as a broadsword, a warming pan, and a tea kettle take their turns telling their stories, offering personal reflections on the lives they touched and the struggles they witnessed. Each object provides a distinct viewpoint on themes of sacrifice, loss, and the human desire for liberty. These narratives give life to seemingly ordinary items, transforming them into silent witnesses to history, and allowing them to reflect on the events that shaped the lives of those who fought for freedom. By blending human interest with historical reflection, Who Spoke Next gives readers a nostalgic look at the past, reminding them of the courage, pain, and hope that defined a nation’s fight for independence.
Eliza Lee Cabot Follen was an American writer, editor, and abolitionist, born on August 15, 1787, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Samuel Cabot and Sarah Barrett, and she grew up in a family with strong intellectual and social ties. Eliza began her writing career early, contributing prose and poetry to newspapers and magazines, becoming well-known for her insightful works that touched on various social issues of her time. In 1828, she married Professor Charles Follen, a German-born intellectual and abolitionist, who tragically died in a shipwreck aboard the Lexington in 1840. This loss deeply affected Eliza, but she continued her activism, particularly in the abolitionist movement, where she worked to promote the end of slavery. Throughout her life, she used her writing and her influence to advocate for justice and equality. Eliza Lee Cabot Follen passed away on January 26, 1860, in Brookline, Massachusetts, at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of commitment to social reform and the rights of the oppressed. Her contributions to literature and her advocacy for freedom remain a significant part of her legacy.
