Forty Acres

By: Dwayne Alexander Smith

Narrated by: Andre Blake

Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

What if overcoming the legacy of American slavery meant bringing back that very institution? A young black attorney is thrown headlong into controversial issues of race and power in this pause-resisting and provocative new audiobook.

Martin Grey, a smart, talented black lawyer working out of a storefront in Queens, becomes friendly with a group of some of the most powerful, wealthy, and esteemed black men in America. He's dazzled by what they've accomplished, and they seem to think he has the potential to be as successful as they are. They invite him for a weekend away from it all - no wives, no cell phones, no talk of business. But far from home and cut off from everyone he loves, he discovers a disturbing secret that challenges some of his deepest convictions.

Martin finds out that his glittering new friends are part of a secret society dedicated to the preservation of the institution of slavery - but this time around, the black men are called "Master." Joining them seems to guarantee a future without limits; rebuking them almost certainly guarantees his death. Trapped inside a picture-perfect, make-believe world that is home to a frightening reality, Martin must find a way out that will allow him to stay alive without becoming the very thing he hates.

A novel of rage and compassion, good and evil, trust and betrayal, Forty Acres is the thought-provoking story of one man's desperate attempt to escape the clutches of a terrifying new moral order.

©2014 Dwayne Alexander Smith (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Deep Dark and Disturbing Bizarro world.

Where does Forty Acres rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks high, It's in my top 3.

What did you like best about this story?

the messages, the history, the irony, and the plot.

What about Andre Blake’s performance did you like?

He did a great job of giving each character a unique identity. Carver especially.

Great first book

Page turner but the conclusion was a bit too tidy and quick. More pages should have been devoted to how all the ends were wrapped up.

Pretty good.

Similar to most thrillers the reality is bent a bit. Definitely suspenseful. Enjoyed the book

Thought Provoking Thriller!

I couldn't put this one down because it was so thought provoking and intriguing. Once the climax started, it continued to build until the very end. I can see a sequel and can only hope for a movie! Excellent writing!

A-ma-zing

This book, hands down, is one of the best books I’ve ever listened to on Audible. This was so well written, and the performance was spot on. I’ve actually listened to it twice! I’d love to meet the author so we can discuss why he ended it the way he did, because I have questions :)

Wow

I have downloaded a lot of books but this one was by far the best.

Amazing Story!

Whew! This book is amazing. You’re going to be so addicted to this story overall.

A Unique Thriller!

I've heard ppl call me a goody2shoes, a nerd, and comment "you're so ethical". My background is in legal and I try to do what's right regardless if any (human) is watching or not. THAT said, the logic presented by one of the characters regarding this obviously egregious slave encampment challenged even my morals. The book was a page-turner. Even when I was trying to sleep, I kept trying to push through. Once the climax began, it almost never ended.

The only annoying aspect was the main character trying to figure out what was more important: saving Party A or Party B. I won't say who Parties A and B are and give up a spoiler. But yeah, it was very different in how other thrillers I've read evolve. It seemed like such a casual, professional tone throughout, you never sensed the danger int he story until the end. And once you did, your heart will begin to race.
Good book. 4.5 star rating from me.

Truly a page turner

Great book for everyone to read based on the reversal of a tragic time in America's history. Although I would never wish this on anyone, it is an enlightening book to read when the roles have changed.

will engender much debate

This story was quite different from most stories I listen to;

The story line takes place in modern day but, the groups mind thoughts are back in slave days. this supposedly intelligent man is talked into going along with a group of men on a trip for four days with out any of their wives..no phone access just men. he has no idea where they are going and when he dose asks they drug him; this is where the story pulls great interests to me as to where are they taking him? and I think i have this figured out but no I don't

the unrealistic side is the main character becomes so absorbed in wanting to be friends with these professional elite status men who by the way are enormously rich and they want to take him on the trip of his life so he can join their elite status group.He feels so privileged he doesn't even bother to question the method of their madness until it's too late

The story is definitely unusual and has many different twist... It held my interesting and attention even though ,I had to take brakes because the story lines were somewhat crude and barbaric