Sharpened Blade: The Story of Dinah Clark

"Swope deftly weaves Reading, Berks County and American history around the life of this interesting African-American woman. The author successfully tiptoes between fact and fiction, bringing this memorable tale to life. Definitely a keeper!" -Paul A. Druzda, Berks County historian and author of four books on local history

Based on one woman's incredible real life.

Born an indentured servant and bound by slavery for the first twenty-one years of her life, Dinah Clark ultimately earned her freedom, married, had children, bought a house, and mastered the arduous work of a sawyer. Her profession-unusual for a woman at the time-sustained her following the early death of her husband. Her outgoing nature and skill as a woodcutter made her one of the most famous African American women in Reading, Pennsylvania, in the 19th century.

Along the way, Dinah helped build the Bethel A.M.E. Church, which served not only as her place of worship but also as a way station on the Underground Railroad. Despite living near poverty much of her life, Dinah's courage and conviction helped her break down racial and gender barriers as she staked out a full life for herself and her family.