Tonight, winners of the National Book Award will be announced in New York. Among the nominees is Edward P. Jones. His first novel “The Known World” is perhaps the most unusual book about slavery ever written. It is based on the little known fact that before the Civil War, some freed blacks owned slaves. “The Known World” tells the fictional story of black slave owner Henry Townsend.
In this radio diary, Edward P. Jones shares his thoughts on blacks owning slaves and reads a passage from his book.
Guests:
Edward P. Jones, author of “The Known World.”












