The Colonel's Dream


Read by James K. White

(4.6 stars; 27 reviews)

In this novel, Chesnutt described the hopelessness of Reconstruction in a post-Civil War South that was bent on reestablishing the former status quo and rebuilding itself as a region of the United States where new forms of "slavery" would replace the old. This novel illustrated how race hatred and the impotence of a reluctant Federal Government trumped the rule of law, ultimately setting the stage for the rise of institutions such as Jim Crow, lynching, chain gangs and work farms--all established with the intent of disenfranchising African Americans. - Summary by James K. White (9 hr 5 min)

Chapters

Dedication & Chapter 1 25:05 Read by James K. White
Chapter 2 10:01 Read by James K. White
Chapter 3 20:17 Read by James K. White
Chapter 4 15:33 Read by James K. White
Chapter 5 10:50 Read by James K. White
Chapter 6 22:57 Read by James K. White
Chapter 7 9:26 Read by James K. White
Chapter 8 16:16 Read by James K. White
Chapter 9 27:00 Read by James K. White
Chapter 10 9:21 Read by James K. White
Chapter 11 24:56 Read by James K. White
Chapter 12 6:47 Read by James K. White
Chapter 13 24:17 Read by James K. White
Chapter 14 20:19 Read by James K. White
Chapter 15 20:30 Read by James K. White
Chapter 16 14:22 Read by James K. White
Chapter 17 7:23 Read by James K. White
Chapter 18 25:06 Read by James K. White
Chapter 19 20:35 Read by James K. White
Chapter 20 21:49 Read by James K. White
Chapter 21 11:20 Read by James K. White
Chapter 22 10:42 Read by James K. White
Chapter 23 10:59 Read by James K. White
Chapter 24 13:54 Read by James K. White
Chapter 25 9:18 Read by James K. White
Chapter 26 13:47 Read by James K. White
Chapter 27 8:22 Read by James K. White
Chapter 28 14:59 Read by James K. White
Chapter 29 16:22 Read by James K. White
Chapter 30 8:35 Read by James K. White
Chapter 31 8:57 Read by James K. White
Chapter 32 13:30 Read by James K. White
Chapter 33 5:45 Read by James K. White
Chapter 34 4:00 Read by James K. White
Chapter 35 8:18 Read by James K. White
Chapter 36 12:59 Read by James K. White
Chapter 37 6:39 Read by James K. White
Chapter 38 4:29 Read by James K. White
Chapter 39 9:51 Read by James K. White

Reviews

Colonel's Dream


(5 stars)

Another great novel by one of the finest black American writers rescued from undeservedly obscurity by reader/performer James White. The story of how peonage survived into the late 19th century via the era's obscene vagrancy laws is sobering, shocking. Mercifully, this social novel doesn't preach and has complex actors -- not all black characters are paragons and many white ones have good intentions but are ineffective. Good doesn't always triumph and even true love sometimes fails to win out. Hmm. Sounds like real life. I understand that Chestnutt's publisher was less than thrilled with the book, which didn't sell so well. Which only goes to show ...er, something or other. As usual, James White's reading is a real pleasure. Thank you! TheBookworm, Manchester, UK.

THANK GOD THE WORLD HAS CHANGED...A BIT.


(5 stars)

I MUST THANK THE READER,I REALLT GOT INTO EACH CHARACTER.DID NOT WANT TO GO TO SLEEP AS THIS WAS A SAD COMPELLING STORY OF MAN'S INHUMANITY TO MAN. I JUST HOPE THAT ALL THOSE NEGRO HATERS REINCARNATED TO BECOME A MEMBER OF A DOWNTRODDEN CULTURE. IF GOD HAD SIMPLY MADE US ALL GREY THESE PROBLEMS WIULD NOT HAVE EVENTUATED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT SOME PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE BETTER THAN ANOTHER...A BRAIN SURGEON OR A MAID WHO DO A GOOD JOB , ARE, IN MY EYES EQUAL.

Devastating


(5 stars)

This novel struck me as the most complex of the Chesnutt novels that I have read thus far. It is also absolutely devastation. Considering the times it details, it would have been impossible to be otherwise. As always, James White's reading is superb.


(4.5 stars)

Excellent reading, as always. The book is not the best from the author, but it is worth your time.

great story


(5 stars)

Very well read and the story tells of what it was like back then.

Superbly written and narrated


(5 stars)

Superbly written and narrated