In her first book, historian, herbalist, and educator Fryar combines a discussion of her experiences living and exploring near the Potomac River with a social and political history of the Washington, DC, area. Her book details her excursions along the banks of the river and other nearby spaces. It also chronicles the disturbing history of the area, focusing on the experiences of Black and Indigenous people. There’s a chapter devoted to a well-researched, detailed discussion of the history of swimming opportunities for white people vs. the lack of them for Black people in Washington, DC. The author, a white woman, even discusses how much she enjoys being able to swim in the Potomac, which is illegal. Her passion for both history and for the natural world is evident in her writing. There is a disconnect, however, between her impassioned descriptions of the historic and routine abuse of Black and Indigenous people in the area and a missed opportunity to invite present-day Black and Indigenous people to share their thoughts and experiences with and around the area.
VERDICT For readers looking for a different lens through which to view the U.S. capital and to see both the ugly impacts of racism and the beauty of nature.
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