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The Underground Railroad #1
The Vanishing Woman
Ellen Craft escaped from slavery in 1848 by posing as a white man, while her husband William pretended to be her slave. They took trains and steamboats north, escaping in plain view. When other passengers looked at her, they saw only an ailing planter from Georgia. Ellen Craft had vanished.Ellen’s mother was a slave, but her father was her master, and she had skin as white as his. This enabled her to pose as a white man, in one of the boldest escapes in American history. The Vanishing Woman is based on a true story—an escape driven by the desire for freedom and family. William and Ellen decided they would not have children until they were free.Their incredible story riveted a nation, and the couple put the Fugitive Slave Law to its first major test, bringing attention to their plight all of the way to the White House. The ultimate This vanishing woman became one of the most visible symbols of freedom in nineteenth-century America.They ran 1,000 miles to freedom and changed the country forever.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
519 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
January 16, 2018
Ellen Craft was the daughter of a slave and a white plantation owner. Her skin was very fair and people always thought that she was part of the master’s “regular family�. She lived, however, as a slave. She was given away at the age of 11 to her half sister, Eliza Cromwell, as a wedding gift. It was then that she moved from Clinton, Georgia to Macon Georgia.
While in Macon Georgia, Ellen met William Craft when she was 20 years old. They were married in Macon, but because they were both slaves, they didn’t want to have children that would be born into slavery. They therefore, hatched an incredible plan for escape.
Peterson’s book is based on this true account. The book takes us on an accurate escape route and the details of Ellen and William’s plan. Ellen took on the disguise of a man dressed as an elderly plantation owner traveling with his slave, William. In December of 1848, Ellen and William traveled by train out of Macon, transferring from train to three separate steamers, then back to train where they landed in Philadelphia. Eventually they moved to Boston where there was an active abolitionist movement and a free black community. The Crafts became lecturers all through the New England States.
In 1850, Congress passed The Fugitive Slave Act, that brought bounty hunters to Boston with Ellen and William as their target. Narrowly escaping these bounty hunters, the Crafts then moved to England, living in London where they finally began raising a family. They had five children and pursued educational and business endeavors not only for themselves but for others.
This book is engaging and full of suspense. Peterson weaves a fine tale and tells it with historical accuracy. His insights into the folkways of slavery and the intricacies of the relationships evolved from “measuring blood� are profound.
While in Macon Georgia, Ellen met William Craft when she was 20 years old. They were married in Macon, but because they were both slaves, they didn’t want to have children that would be born into slavery. They therefore, hatched an incredible plan for escape.
Peterson’s book is based on this true account. The book takes us on an accurate escape route and the details of Ellen and William’s plan. Ellen took on the disguise of a man dressed as an elderly plantation owner traveling with his slave, William. In December of 1848, Ellen and William traveled by train out of Macon, transferring from train to three separate steamers, then back to train where they landed in Philadelphia. Eventually they moved to Boston where there was an active abolitionist movement and a free black community. The Crafts became lecturers all through the New England States.
In 1850, Congress passed The Fugitive Slave Act, that brought bounty hunters to Boston with Ellen and William as their target. Narrowly escaping these bounty hunters, the Crafts then moved to England, living in London where they finally began raising a family. They had five children and pursued educational and business endeavors not only for themselves but for others.
This book is engaging and full of suspense. Peterson weaves a fine tale and tells it with historical accuracy. His insights into the folkways of slavery and the intricacies of the relationships evolved from “measuring blood� are profound.
January 29, 2021
This book might be good for YA. It has some interesting historical facts but the writing wasn't engaging, I can't quite put my finger on why. Also the protagonist, Ellen, seemed to be depicted as too weak of a character to actually accomplish what she did.
April 15, 2025
An amazing and fascinating story, inlaid with historical details, emotional moments, and almost constant fear. Almost every facet is based on fact. I learned several interesting things! It presented good questions one might have about slavery, and showed us the hard answers.
Well written! I had only one qualm, and it's not worth changing a star.
A good author's note at the end!
Well written! I had only one qualm, and it's not worth changing a star.
A good author's note at the end!
February 24, 2021
There’s something about books based on real life that adds to my enjoyment. This is one of them. I’m amazed at people’s perseverance and strength when they make a decision and face extreme challenges.
September 26, 2021
Freedom for my unborn child
The storyline is one that draws you into theivex of people who only want to be free. I must admit that the jumping back and forth in time was at times hard to keep straight for me. But overall a worth while book of history that is greatly appreciated by me.
The storyline is one that draws you into theivex of people who only want to be free. I must admit that the jumping back and forth in time was at times hard to keep straight for me. But overall a worth while book of history that is greatly appreciated by me.
December 31, 2015
Doug does a phenomenal job of taking historical facts and creating a very interesting perspective into the lives of those that lived so many years ago. I found myself experiencing both the fear and the courage it took for Ellen and William to risk their lives in order to live a free life. The narrow escapes were risky and sharing their journey continued to put their future in risk. Wonderful how so many people supported them and stood beside and in front of them to keep them safe! This is another book that after I read it, I had the opportunity to join a discussion of the era and share how Ellen later told the story of her journey that inspired others. Check out for an interesting enactment.
January 1, 2021
Riveting
I have far too little time for reading, but that did not stop me from missing half a night’s sleep! Wonderful courage: brave men and women working for freedom for themselves or for others. A great reminder that we are all of one blood.
I have far too little time for reading, but that did not stop me from missing half a night’s sleep! Wonderful courage: brave men and women working for freedom for themselves or for others. A great reminder that we are all of one blood.
November 19, 2021
Peterson weaves historical fact with strong inference and complex characters, creating a tale that is more engaging than dry narrative but all the more harrowing for being true.
The child of a slave and her master, Ellen Craft was born with skin as pale enough to seem white. Pale enough that she and her husband William hatched a plan to escape the plantation and travel to the northern USA disguised as owner and slave. Successfully impersonating a white woman for the many days it would take to reach the North would be tricky enough, but a white woman travelling with a male slave would stand out almost as much as two slaves travelling without a master; so Ellen must also pretend to be a man.
Peterson bases his novel on the true story of William and Ellen Craft’s 1848 escape from Georgia and the subsequent attempts to recapture them. While the only detailed source is from William’s perspective, Peterson chooses to narrate the story from Ellen’s; while this does—as Peterson states in his author’s note—mean that a larger amount of the story is imagination rather than fact, moving the focus to the experience of a black woman forced to impersonate a white man creates both a more visceral feeling of the struggle and opens up more complex perspectives on racism.
This slant toward an engaging story of daring escape from slavers rather than a strict autobiography is further evident in Peterson’s use of multiple timelines, interweaving scenes on their journey to freedom with significant moments from their pasts that put previous choices in new contexts. While this does mean that the reader might not experience quite the same tension in some scenes because they already know Ellen is free later, it does more intimately connect specific incidents of oppression in the past to those in the present, strongly evoking the power of racism to stain entire an entire life.
However, this novel is not short on tension. Although Peterson might have already confirmed Ellen is free and (physically) unharmed at a later date, this does not usually tell the reader how she evaded a threat or at what cost. Thus knowing that Ellen Craft died many years later as a free woman doesn’t remove the sense of constantly being on the verge of discovery that pervades many of the scenes.
This air of relentless threat is compounded by Peterson’s use of parallel narratives about Ellen’s relatives and other characters close to her, about whose fate the reader is unsure as they go in and whose ultimate fate might either be unknown or most unfortunate. Complementing these threads from the points-of-view of slaves are those from the perspective of slave owners (or wannabe slave owners), which offer the reader some escape from the bleakness by showing bad people failing yet also add tension by showing how close they are on Ellen’s heels.
Ellen is a well-crafted and highly sympathetic protagonist, defined not by exceptional intelligence, unique skills, or other things often make a protagonist better than others when faced with challenge but rather by her refusal to give up and accept her place as worse than others. While this stamina of spirit is a major asset, it also causes issues; for example, her refusal to consummate marriage until both of them are free because the children would be born slaves puts immense strain on her relationship with William.
William and the other significant supporting cast are also fully realised people rather than figures in a historical moment. While this nuance personalises the narrative, avoiding the simplicity of monolithic black slaves vs. white oppressors, it also makes those white people who feel they are the ones wronged by ungrateful slaves seem all the more flawed because it is clear it is not simple what everyone thought.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking a tense historical thriller that also portrays experiences of being black in Nineteenth Century America.
The child of a slave and her master, Ellen Craft was born with skin as pale enough to seem white. Pale enough that she and her husband William hatched a plan to escape the plantation and travel to the northern USA disguised as owner and slave. Successfully impersonating a white woman for the many days it would take to reach the North would be tricky enough, but a white woman travelling with a male slave would stand out almost as much as two slaves travelling without a master; so Ellen must also pretend to be a man.
Peterson bases his novel on the true story of William and Ellen Craft’s 1848 escape from Georgia and the subsequent attempts to recapture them. While the only detailed source is from William’s perspective, Peterson chooses to narrate the story from Ellen’s; while this does—as Peterson states in his author’s note—mean that a larger amount of the story is imagination rather than fact, moving the focus to the experience of a black woman forced to impersonate a white man creates both a more visceral feeling of the struggle and opens up more complex perspectives on racism.
This slant toward an engaging story of daring escape from slavers rather than a strict autobiography is further evident in Peterson’s use of multiple timelines, interweaving scenes on their journey to freedom with significant moments from their pasts that put previous choices in new contexts. While this does mean that the reader might not experience quite the same tension in some scenes because they already know Ellen is free later, it does more intimately connect specific incidents of oppression in the past to those in the present, strongly evoking the power of racism to stain entire an entire life.
However, this novel is not short on tension. Although Peterson might have already confirmed Ellen is free and (physically) unharmed at a later date, this does not usually tell the reader how she evaded a threat or at what cost. Thus knowing that Ellen Craft died many years later as a free woman doesn’t remove the sense of constantly being on the verge of discovery that pervades many of the scenes.
This air of relentless threat is compounded by Peterson’s use of parallel narratives about Ellen’s relatives and other characters close to her, about whose fate the reader is unsure as they go in and whose ultimate fate might either be unknown or most unfortunate. Complementing these threads from the points-of-view of slaves are those from the perspective of slave owners (or wannabe slave owners), which offer the reader some escape from the bleakness by showing bad people failing yet also add tension by showing how close they are on Ellen’s heels.
Ellen is a well-crafted and highly sympathetic protagonist, defined not by exceptional intelligence, unique skills, or other things often make a protagonist better than others when faced with challenge but rather by her refusal to give up and accept her place as worse than others. While this stamina of spirit is a major asset, it also causes issues; for example, her refusal to consummate marriage until both of them are free because the children would be born slaves puts immense strain on her relationship with William.
William and the other significant supporting cast are also fully realised people rather than figures in a historical moment. While this nuance personalises the narrative, avoiding the simplicity of monolithic black slaves vs. white oppressors, it also makes those white people who feel they are the ones wronged by ungrateful slaves seem all the more flawed because it is clear it is not simple what everyone thought.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking a tense historical thriller that also portrays experiences of being black in Nineteenth Century America.
November 20, 2020
Ellen and William are a married couple of slaves who decide to run away. Ellen can pass for white and she does as a white man and William is her boy “her sleep�, unfortunately Mr. night a coworker of Williams at the carpentry business where he worked before running gets a suspicious feeling about the couples absence and starts digging around. His inquiries lead to devastation not just for Alan and William, but for those they love the ones who are trying to protect them. This is such a good book. It pulls no punches I cannot say enough about this book there is an anything to dislike about this book except for the treatment of the slaves in peoples general attitude in the 1800s towards them. The only thing I think is sadder then the reality of slavery in the past is the fact that slavery still exists today in multiple countries. Instead of protesting what happen we should protest what is happening and save them. I know this is off-topic, buts done is done, let’s fight to stop slavery in Somalia. There is a tad bit off topic I just want to add more people to know this is still happening and it’s even worse than it was here or if that’s even possible. I highly recommend this book it is based on a true story and it is so good!
November 21, 2020
Set in 1845, this is based on the true story of Ellen Craft, a slave who could pass for white since she had both a white grandfather and a white father. The fact that she had "at least one drop of Negro blood" meant she was black.
I could not put this book down. It jumped from the past to the present and I was reading so quickly, trying to find out what was coming next.
Ellen married a black man, William Craft, but she said she would not have children with him since they would be owned by her owner, who was her father. William agreed. Ellen said they had to run, so over a Christmas break, in which Ellen was allowed to leave her Master's home (Ellen was gifted to her half-sister upon the sister's wedding day) she and William ran. Ellen dressed as a sickly white man and William acted as "his" slave and this way, they were able to escape Macon, Georgia to Philadelphia, PA.
Absolutely fascinating.
I could not put this book down. It jumped from the past to the present and I was reading so quickly, trying to find out what was coming next.
Ellen married a black man, William Craft, but she said she would not have children with him since they would be owned by her owner, who was her father. William agreed. Ellen said they had to run, so over a Christmas break, in which Ellen was allowed to leave her Master's home (Ellen was gifted to her half-sister upon the sister's wedding day) she and William ran. Ellen dressed as a sickly white man and William acted as "his" slave and this way, they were able to escape Macon, Georgia to Philadelphia, PA.
Absolutely fascinating.
June 6, 2023
An excellent book to learn about how life effected the slaves that wanted their freedom. It also was an insight how white slave holder wouldn't free the slaves; but the slave work were good enough to be violated and to have children that could look white to hue brown. Being a half sibling to the slave holders white children meant nothing to the white slave owners wives. The idea to pass for a white man was incredible braver of William and Ellen to escape and how other slaves followed . John Knight and Willis Huges were the devils from he'll with their partner in crime Slater. There were so many people are due credit to help the runways and put their lives on the line. I learned some important history. This story of the nation on the development for the Fugitive Slave Laws helping the way for freedom. Rated five stars.
March 13, 2023
Eye-opening novel (based on true story)
This book about Ellen and Williams Craft’s courageous escape to freedom is captivating. I have read many books about racism in the last few years, but unlike most of those books, this book presents some of the challenges of mulatto (mixed race) people. Ellen’s disguising herself as a white man and having her husband pretend to be her slave was ingenious. And it has inspired other mulattos to successfully escape slavery. I highly recommend this book, not just as an engaging read, but more importantly as a valuable resource to understanding the sad, unfair, evil institution of slavery.
This book about Ellen and Williams Craft’s courageous escape to freedom is captivating. I have read many books about racism in the last few years, but unlike most of those books, this book presents some of the challenges of mulatto (mixed race) people. Ellen’s disguising herself as a white man and having her husband pretend to be her slave was ingenious. And it has inspired other mulattos to successfully escape slavery. I highly recommend this book, not just as an engaging read, but more importantly as a valuable resource to understanding the sad, unfair, evil institution of slavery.
February 15, 2022
5 Stars - This should be required reading, great!
Wish there was no need for this to be true. The story is almost fantastical in its telling and I couldn't put it down. Those times were grievously harsh to slaves and this novel educates the reader without going into gory detail. Language is decent, events are realistic. How can you improve excellence?
Read this. Learn and feel. Then value freedom and human respect on a different level because Peterson showed you a reality we came from.
And may we never return to it.
Inspirational in its telling for all ages.
Wish there was no need for this to be true. The story is almost fantastical in its telling and I couldn't put it down. Those times were grievously harsh to slaves and this novel educates the reader without going into gory detail. Language is decent, events are realistic. How can you improve excellence?
Read this. Learn and feel. Then value freedom and human respect on a different level because Peterson showed you a reality we came from.
And may we never return to it.
Inspirational in its telling for all ages.
September 19, 2020
Headline: Virginia Whites. White negroes.
True story. In our family history they are described as Virginia whites. Thomas Jefferson, said in 5 generation's black descents look white. If the mother is a slave, the children are slaves, no matter their color. She is a white slave, her husband is black. They are slaves, with valued skills. Her cousins story is included. Settings before the Civil War. HEA, happily ever after ending.
True story. In our family history they are described as Virginia whites. Thomas Jefferson, said in 5 generation's black descents look white. If the mother is a slave, the children are slaves, no matter their color. She is a white slave, her husband is black. They are slaves, with valued skills. Her cousins story is included. Settings before the Civil War. HEA, happily ever after ending.
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November 23, 2020True to life history
This story is true and the author used his skill and knowledge to piece together the few remaining empty spots left from the historical records to fill in the blanks. It is written with care, concern and love. I enjoyed each and every exciting moment throughout and there are many, in fact, it is non stop excitement! I am happy to have found this author and I will look for his books in the future. Thank you, Mr. Peterson, it was a pleasure.
This story is true and the author used his skill and knowledge to piece together the few remaining empty spots left from the historical records to fill in the blanks. It is written with care, concern and love. I enjoyed each and every exciting moment throughout and there are many, in fact, it is non stop excitement! I am happy to have found this author and I will look for his books in the future. Thank you, Mr. Peterson, it was a pleasure.
December 8, 2020
Sadly, before reading this book, I had never heard the story of Ellen and William Craft’s incredible escape from slavery. The conditions, and especially the attitudes of the slave owners and slave hunters, were abhorrent. The bravery and persistence shown by Ellen and William was inspiring. This book opened my eyes to yet another aspect of America’s history and provided a needed perspective to help me better understand today’s world.
February 13, 2021
Intriguing
I had of course, learned of the Underground Railroad in school, but this book, based on actual events, put such a personal spin on the terrifying lives of slaves. Even if you were owned by a “kind� master, you were still property and subject to their whims. I think that this book should be read for Black History month. I also think it’s eye opening and it gave me a better understanding of what White Privilege means.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
I had of course, learned of the Underground Railroad in school, but this book, based on actual events, put such a personal spin on the terrifying lives of slaves. Even if you were owned by a “kind� master, you were still property and subject to their whims. I think that this book should be read for Black History month. I also think it’s eye opening and it gave me a better understanding of what White Privilege means.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
March 14, 2021
Incredible Story
One again Mr. Peterson had me biting my nails and my heart wad pounding in The Vanishing Woman as I read his Underground Railroad series in reverse order. I was so scared for William and Ellen Craft. There story is incredible and it's amazing that they were able to escape. This story needed to be told and I'm so glad I read it. I highly recommend reading this story.
One again Mr. Peterson had me biting my nails and my heart wad pounding in The Vanishing Woman as I read his Underground Railroad series in reverse order. I was so scared for William and Ellen Craft. There story is incredible and it's amazing that they were able to escape. This story needed to be told and I'm so glad I read it. I highly recommend reading this story.
September 25, 2021
Utterly Captivating!!
True stories are the most interesting and captivating of all. Knowing this lifestyle was real and that many, or perhaps most, did not end as well for those involved, I was riveted in pursuit of the outcome. What courage, strength, and audacity they displayed, which was an absolute necessity to survive. I am glad to have read and experienced their amazing story, which is extremely well written.
True stories are the most interesting and captivating of all. Knowing this lifestyle was real and that many, or perhaps most, did not end as well for those involved, I was riveted in pursuit of the outcome. What courage, strength, and audacity they displayed, which was an absolute necessity to survive. I am glad to have read and experienced their amazing story, which is extremely well written.
February 8, 2022
Moving
I found the book very interesting and moving with it's content and pace. Books that usually tell stories like this is very heavy and complicated. Absolutely loved William and Ellen. Glad she got her wish of a family after all they went through. All kinds of emotions on different levels were experienced in the book. Thanks for the clarification on the epilogue. The other books are on my list.
I found the book very interesting and moving with it's content and pace. Books that usually tell stories like this is very heavy and complicated. Absolutely loved William and Ellen. Glad she got her wish of a family after all they went through. All kinds of emotions on different levels were experienced in the book. Thanks for the clarification on the epilogue. The other books are on my list.
February 24, 2023
I found this book very interesting. Although the book included some very sad ordeals for the characters, the author also injected some humor and showed various segments of the characters' personalities.
Each time I put my Kindle aside to do other things (or to charge its battery), I always looked forward to reading more of the book.
I think I found only two typos in the whole book and was pleased that the author did not find it neccessary to include foul language.
Each time I put my Kindle aside to do other things (or to charge its battery), I always looked forward to reading more of the book.
I think I found only two typos in the whole book and was pleased that the author did not find it neccessary to include foul language.
May 16, 2023
Dangerous Journey to Freedom
This book is based on the real escape from slavery by Ellen and William Craft, the author paints a vivid picture of what life was like for enslaved blacks in the deep south. The story will have you feeling different emotions as you read it. It was a daring escape to freedom and even after making it to the North the couple had to still fight to remain free and with the help of so many others they were able to remain free.
This book is based on the real escape from slavery by Ellen and William Craft, the author paints a vivid picture of what life was like for enslaved blacks in the deep south. The story will have you feeling different emotions as you read it. It was a daring escape to freedom and even after making it to the North the couple had to still fight to remain free and with the help of so many others they were able to remain free.
April 9, 2025
This is a wonderful semi historical telling of some of the personal stories of slaves in the south just before the Civil War breaks out and the emancipation proclamation comes out. It’s very well told, and between the preface and the epilogue it’s clear that this couple, and the others in the story, suffered tremendously and had amazing fortitude, as well as luck and support from the underground railroad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2020
History well worth telling
Ellen and Williams Craft were slaves but in body only. They took it upon themselves to obtain their freedom using Ellen disguised that fit in as a white man. They obtained their freedom, not just for themselves but for their future children. Inspirational.
Ellen and Williams Craft were slaves but in body only. They took it upon themselves to obtain their freedom using Ellen disguised that fit in as a white man. They obtained their freedom, not just for themselves but for their future children. Inspirational.
October 2, 2021
This was an interesting story based on a real incident. That made it all the more intense at times knowing that things could go wrong very easily and sometimes did. Some of the characters were brave and daring and some were among the lowest of mankind. Where would any of us be in the same circumstances? Exciting to the end.
October 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this story of bravery and persistence. It showed the slaves as real people, with real emotions and real lives as humans, not animals to be auctioned at will. It also showed the inhumanity of the time, as well as other whites who were willing to risk themselves to help others. A very inspiring story.
January 18, 2022
This was a fascinating read! Even though I knew how the story ended, I was still tense reading Ellen and William’s plight. My only complaint—I think Ellen could have been written stronger than she was, because it took strength to do what she did. The author’s note was appreciated as well as the attached bibliography that has added to my TBR pile.
July 17, 2022
Vivid
I knew of the story without the details. Mr. Peterson added the harrowing details with such vivid clarity. Choosing to not use a linear storyline made the telling even more heart rending.
Thoroughly recommend. I'll find a light read in between as I continue the series. 10 🌟
I knew of the story without the details. Mr. Peterson added the harrowing details with such vivid clarity. Choosing to not use a linear storyline made the telling even more heart rending.
Thoroughly recommend. I'll find a light read in between as I continue the series. 10 🌟
March 12, 2023
GRIPPING TRUE STORY OF FINDING FREEDOM.
In 1848 Ellen Craft dressed as a white man in need of medical attention and her husband William acting as her slave, escaped slavery from their work places in Macon, Georgia. Their fleeing to the north had many near haps in the four days it took. Their journey to total freedom had many close calls of being captured and sent back.
In 1848 Ellen Craft dressed as a white man in need of medical attention and her husband William acting as her slave, escaped slavery from their work places in Macon, Georgia. Their fleeing to the north had many near haps in the four days it took. Their journey to total freedom had many close calls of being captured and sent back.
May 30, 2023
This is an historical novel detailing the Crofts' escape from Macon, Georgia. It also details the experience of Ellen Croft's cousin. It is for a young adult audience. I do wish the ending sequence had not been a woman in a distress that needs saving. But there were certain parts that were good, like Ellen's reaction to her hair being cut.
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