Ric Murphy has established himself as a masterful story teller by sharing the history and major contributions made by African Americans over four hundred years of United States history, in a clear and compelling manor. Ric unveils a rich tapestry of American history by weaving together personal stories of amazing men and women, set in the backdrop of both domestic and international events.
He is continuing to work on a five-part series of historic stories about interesting and unrecognized African Americans who have made valuable contributions to United States history.
Ric Murphy's award winning book, "Freedom Road: An American Family Saga from Jamestown to World War" is an historic account of the oldest recorded African American family, and their participation and rich contributions to American history over a four hundred year period.
Freedom Road is a compilation of well-documented individual stories that begins in Africa in 1483, and from there, spans over fifteen generations and three continents, and definitively changes our understanding of American history, showcasing the significant role that one African American family has played from colonial American history to present day.
If you like history, family sagas or intrigue, Freedom Road is a must read.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Why do you write?
Ric Murphy: I was never a writer as a young child and/or as a young adult. I was lucky enough to be employed in rather senior and high profile positions that required my writing, editing or supervising those who had to write rather complex and technical documents. As I became older, my writing became more technical and I became a student of the Chicago style of writing, to the point where I can write voluminous technical documents.As a public speaker, I find that I can write as fast as I can speak, and now find it quite easy to write.
Although still employed and still writing technical documents, I now want to write to educate, to inform and to entertain for pleasure.
My third grade teacher and my high school English teachers would be amassed and very much surprised!
Question - BooksAndAuthor.com: Who are your literary influences?Answer: I like the artwork of Norman Rockwell for his ability to help you see the complexity of life in all of its grandeur in his very simple paintings, and for that reason I like the poetry of Robert Frost and his ability to help you see the story (the picture) in a very few words.Like many others, I like John Grisham, Stephen Frey …for their easy writing style, and their ability to convey a story so that you can see the action as you read the words.
I like James Michener, because I could almost feel that I was on some exotic island through his words an storing telling.
I achieve to be able to do the same.
BooksAndAuthor.com: FREEDOM ROAD is about the Cornwall and Murphy families. How did you come across this street? What was your motivation to tell this story? I understand it took 20 years to collect 400 years of American History?
Ric Murphy: “Freedom Road” is a metaphor for the tremendous trials and tribulations that a group of Americans had to endure for the past 400 hundred years of American history.Its is a metaphor for the struggles that free African Americans, particularly in the South had to fight to maintain - particularly when laws were specifically designed to deny them their freedom; and it is a metaphor for the many roads they had to traverse in order to protect their lives, their dignity and their freedom, and that of their children.Thirty years ago, it was not my intent to explore over 400 hundred years of European, African and Native American history and how it impacted by family. However, as family historic documents came into my possession; as oral family history began to emerge with stories too good to be true became validated; and one it became clear that this was not just about a family’s genealogical search for lost “Uncle Harry” …that this was a lot more to this story did I begin my true research about the Cornwall-Murphy family.
BooksAndAuthor.com: You say, "much has been written about the origins and history of Americans of African descent during the antebellum period of the American Civil War, but very little history mentions the life and struggles of the American families.... Freedom Road fills that void." Please Explain.
Ric Murphy : What we know about African American history is primarily learned in grades 1-12. The curriculum of our public and private schools primarily address African America history through the prism of the events leading up to, including and after the Civil War. Its emphasis is on the horrendous treatment of African slaves and their descendants; the rallying cry to end slavery and the political division between the North and the South over slavery, and the period covering reconstruction and Jim Crow.There is no history of the large numbers of free African Americans in the South. The vast amounts of land they owned and how they from days prior to the Revolutionary War sought freedom much like their European neighbors. History has been silent about these men and women and their tremendous contributions to the South and the North.; and that is the void that “Freedom Road” fills …and it is supported by clearly researched documentation.
BooksAndAuthor.com: How did you conduct your research?
Ric Murphy: The research was conducted over a thirty-year period, and included primary and secondary research, as well as the collection of data and information from oral histories - cross-referenced by either primary or secondary information.Primary data included colonial records, historic documents, and original manuscripts. In certain instances, focus groups and peer-to-peer sessions were conducted to ascertain how best to present data/ information not previously known and/or written about.
All scholarly research was crossed referenced before submitting to heredity societies for further validation.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What is it about the Historical Nonfiction genre you enjoy?
Ric Murphy: From an historical perspective, the subject material in not widely known within many historical societies and certainly not by the public as a whole. I enjoy presenting information not previously known to wide audiences and helping to change and shape public opinion about historical facts not previously known, as evidenced below.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What have readers been saying about FREEDOM ROAD ?
Ric Murphy: The following are provided directly from www.ricmurphy.com “I just finished reading Freedom Road from Forward to Epilogue and every Chapter and word in between. I loved it. It was historical, ancestral, insightful, painful, emotional, captivating and I held on to every word, which was why I couldn’t put it down. I always wanted to know what happened next, which kept me reading it. I’m sorry I’m done, I wanted more. Thank you for an incredible journey, and the incredible detail and historical facts that were eloquently put together in your book entitled FREEDOM ROAD. ” – Ellen Phillips, Massachusetts
“I have not read, since Alex Haley’s epic Roots, such a compelling book about family and American history. I enjoyed it, I learned from it and I highly recommend it.” – Antonio Grullon, Florida
"As an avid history buff and former teacher, Freedom Road is written the way history should have been written. I like how the author explored the history of the Angolans of Africa, to the indigenous Native Americans and the late to arrive to these shores, the Europeans. From the 1500’s to the 1960’s we live their lives, trials and tribulations before and after the landings in Jamestown, VA to Boston, MA …on the road to freedom. Excellent read!" – Barbara Burke, Massachusetts
“What a wonderful book!!! Every one of all ages can readily understand and actually remember history with this book, because it has so much context and perspective. Job well done. Thank you.”
– Connie Curts, Missouri
“Terrific job of integrating family histories with the context of the time. Great writer who made genealogy and history very interesting.” – Patricia Bush, Maryland
“I just finished the book, thoroughly impressed with such a personalized story of such important historical events. Well done!” – Pat Hainer, Massachusetts
BooksAndAuthor.com: 12 YEARS A SLAVE and ROOTS adapted perfectly for the screen - Do you feel FREEDOM ROAD could do the same?
Ric Murphy: Clayton J. Adams, the great-great-grandson of Solomon Northup and the Executive Director of the Solomon Northup Foundation and I had a conversation about this about eight months ago. The powerful movie, “Twelve Years a Slave,” the story about his ancestor was much easier to tell, particularly since it only covered a short period of time in American history.On the other hand, “ROOTS” effectively covered one hundred years of slave history and introduced to the public concepts not previously known to the general public. However, the public perception on slavery was generally well known and the story built upon that knowledge and expanded on it.
“Freedom Road” introduced many unknown facts to the pubic about a large group of free African Americans in the North and in the South and the rich contributions they made to American history.
Several individuals have questioned how a movie could be done, and two have expressed interest in doing a historical documentary. At this point in time, I just don’t see how four hundred years of complex history could be shown in a 2 hour movie and/or in a four day mini-series without compromising on the totality of the history of this very rich family. (However please refer to your last question).
BooksAndAuthor.com: What was the last book you read?
Ric Murphy: I have made a personal commitment to spend as much free time as I can to continue with my writing. I have only spend time reading source materials for my next book(s). I hope to however, catch up on the latest two Griham books for sheer pleasure when I go on vacation in four weeks
BooksAndAuthor.com: What's next?
Ric Murphy: “Freedom Road” is designed to be a trilogy, to span over 20 books over a 20-year period. Several characters within the book will become the subject of their own books expanding in greater detail their lives and their stories, with the intent of possible multi-media versions of the story. Two books have all ready been written and will be unveiled shortly.
He is continuing to work on a five-part series of historic stories about interesting and unrecognized African Americans who have made valuable contributions to United States history.
Ric Murphy's award winning book, "Freedom Road: An American Family Saga from Jamestown to World War" is an historic account of the oldest recorded African American family, and their participation and rich contributions to American history over a four hundred year period.
Freedom Road is a compilation of well-documented individual stories that begins in Africa in 1483, and from there, spans over fifteen generations and three continents, and definitively changes our understanding of American history, showcasing the significant role that one African American family has played from colonial American history to present day.
If you like history, family sagas or intrigue, Freedom Road is a must read.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Why do you write?
Ric Murphy: I was never a writer as a young child and/or as a young adult. I was lucky enough to be employed in rather senior and high profile positions that required my writing, editing or supervising those who had to write rather complex and technical documents. As I became older, my writing became more technical and I became a student of the Chicago style of writing, to the point where I can write voluminous technical documents.As a public speaker, I find that I can write as fast as I can speak, and now find it quite easy to write.
Although still employed and still writing technical documents, I now want to write to educate, to inform and to entertain for pleasure.
My third grade teacher and my high school English teachers would be amassed and very much surprised!
Question - BooksAndAuthor.com: Who are your literary influences?Answer: I like the artwork of Norman Rockwell for his ability to help you see the complexity of life in all of its grandeur in his very simple paintings, and for that reason I like the poetry of Robert Frost and his ability to help you see the story (the picture) in a very few words.Like many others, I like John Grisham, Stephen Frey …for their easy writing style, and their ability to convey a story so that you can see the action as you read the words.
I like James Michener, because I could almost feel that I was on some exotic island through his words an storing telling.
I achieve to be able to do the same.
BooksAndAuthor.com: FREEDOM ROAD is about the Cornwall and Murphy families. How did you come across this street? What was your motivation to tell this story? I understand it took 20 years to collect 400 years of American History?
Ric Murphy: “Freedom Road” is a metaphor for the tremendous trials and tribulations that a group of Americans had to endure for the past 400 hundred years of American history.Its is a metaphor for the struggles that free African Americans, particularly in the South had to fight to maintain - particularly when laws were specifically designed to deny them their freedom; and it is a metaphor for the many roads they had to traverse in order to protect their lives, their dignity and their freedom, and that of their children.Thirty years ago, it was not my intent to explore over 400 hundred years of European, African and Native American history and how it impacted by family. However, as family historic documents came into my possession; as oral family history began to emerge with stories too good to be true became validated; and one it became clear that this was not just about a family’s genealogical search for lost “Uncle Harry” …that this was a lot more to this story did I begin my true research about the Cornwall-Murphy family.
BooksAndAuthor.com: You say, "much has been written about the origins and history of Americans of African descent during the antebellum period of the American Civil War, but very little history mentions the life and struggles of the American families.... Freedom Road fills that void." Please Explain.
Ric Murphy : What we know about African American history is primarily learned in grades 1-12. The curriculum of our public and private schools primarily address African America history through the prism of the events leading up to, including and after the Civil War. Its emphasis is on the horrendous treatment of African slaves and their descendants; the rallying cry to end slavery and the political division between the North and the South over slavery, and the period covering reconstruction and Jim Crow.There is no history of the large numbers of free African Americans in the South. The vast amounts of land they owned and how they from days prior to the Revolutionary War sought freedom much like their European neighbors. History has been silent about these men and women and their tremendous contributions to the South and the North.; and that is the void that “Freedom Road” fills …and it is supported by clearly researched documentation.
BooksAndAuthor.com: How did you conduct your research?
Ric Murphy: The research was conducted over a thirty-year period, and included primary and secondary research, as well as the collection of data and information from oral histories - cross-referenced by either primary or secondary information.Primary data included colonial records, historic documents, and original manuscripts. In certain instances, focus groups and peer-to-peer sessions were conducted to ascertain how best to present data/ information not previously known and/or written about.
All scholarly research was crossed referenced before submitting to heredity societies for further validation.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What is it about the Historical Nonfiction genre you enjoy?
Ric Murphy: From an historical perspective, the subject material in not widely known within many historical societies and certainly not by the public as a whole. I enjoy presenting information not previously known to wide audiences and helping to change and shape public opinion about historical facts not previously known, as evidenced below.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What have readers been saying about FREEDOM ROAD ?
Ric Murphy: The following are provided directly from www.ricmurphy.com “I just finished reading Freedom Road from Forward to Epilogue and every Chapter and word in between. I loved it. It was historical, ancestral, insightful, painful, emotional, captivating and I held on to every word, which was why I couldn’t put it down. I always wanted to know what happened next, which kept me reading it. I’m sorry I’m done, I wanted more. Thank you for an incredible journey, and the incredible detail and historical facts that were eloquently put together in your book entitled FREEDOM ROAD. ” – Ellen Phillips, Massachusetts
“I have not read, since Alex Haley’s epic Roots, such a compelling book about family and American history. I enjoyed it, I learned from it and I highly recommend it.” – Antonio Grullon, Florida
"As an avid history buff and former teacher, Freedom Road is written the way history should have been written. I like how the author explored the history of the Angolans of Africa, to the indigenous Native Americans and the late to arrive to these shores, the Europeans. From the 1500’s to the 1960’s we live their lives, trials and tribulations before and after the landings in Jamestown, VA to Boston, MA …on the road to freedom. Excellent read!" – Barbara Burke, Massachusetts
“What a wonderful book!!! Every one of all ages can readily understand and actually remember history with this book, because it has so much context and perspective. Job well done. Thank you.”
– Connie Curts, Missouri
“Terrific job of integrating family histories with the context of the time. Great writer who made genealogy and history very interesting.” – Patricia Bush, Maryland
“I just finished the book, thoroughly impressed with such a personalized story of such important historical events. Well done!” – Pat Hainer, Massachusetts
BooksAndAuthor.com: 12 YEARS A SLAVE and ROOTS adapted perfectly for the screen - Do you feel FREEDOM ROAD could do the same?
Ric Murphy: Clayton J. Adams, the great-great-grandson of Solomon Northup and the Executive Director of the Solomon Northup Foundation and I had a conversation about this about eight months ago. The powerful movie, “Twelve Years a Slave,” the story about his ancestor was much easier to tell, particularly since it only covered a short period of time in American history.On the other hand, “ROOTS” effectively covered one hundred years of slave history and introduced to the public concepts not previously known to the general public. However, the public perception on slavery was generally well known and the story built upon that knowledge and expanded on it.
“Freedom Road” introduced many unknown facts to the pubic about a large group of free African Americans in the North and in the South and the rich contributions they made to American history.
Several individuals have questioned how a movie could be done, and two have expressed interest in doing a historical documentary. At this point in time, I just don’t see how four hundred years of complex history could be shown in a 2 hour movie and/or in a four day mini-series without compromising on the totality of the history of this very rich family. (However please refer to your last question).
BooksAndAuthor.com: What was the last book you read?
Ric Murphy: I have made a personal commitment to spend as much free time as I can to continue with my writing. I have only spend time reading source materials for my next book(s). I hope to however, catch up on the latest two Griham books for sheer pleasure when I go on vacation in four weeks
BooksAndAuthor.com: What's next?
Ric Murphy: “Freedom Road” is designed to be a trilogy, to span over 20 books over a 20-year period. Several characters within the book will become the subject of their own books expanding in greater detail their lives and their stories, with the intent of possible multi-media versions of the story. Two books have all ready been written and will be unveiled shortly.