Reviews

I've read the Reginald Hudlin and John Romita Jr's graphic novel this was based on and I love how Mr. Holland took the story and made it his own, yet the beats and characters rung true to the source material. When Ta-Nahesi Coates finishes his run on the current Black Panther comic, maybe Marvel should hire Jesse Holland to continue the adventures of King T'Challa. He'd be in good hands. - W.L. Sherrod

I liked this quite a bit. I was engrossed, and devoured this novel in about a day. Some of that is due to the title character – a superhero I’ve always thought of as the coolest Avenger. The rest is that Hudlin created a compelling story with JRJ that Holland was able to translate incredibly well to the written page. - Patrick Hellen, AIPT!

I had never read anything about Marvel's Black Panther character, so all I knew going in was the most recent Avengers movie. That said, this was all new to me, and I enjoyed it even more than I expected to. It's full of terrific background on T'Challa and his family and the greater kingdom of Wakanda, all wrapped around a super-powered attempted invasion. - Judy

Reviews of

Although some slaves’ lives have been lost to history, Holland creates a vivid portrait of many ... - Kirkus Reviews

Holland’s account of slaves who built and sustained the White House answers many hard historical issues, and it reveals how little tribute has been given for the contributions of enslaved persons to the normal functioning of early American institutions. - Publishers Weekly

Holland's book shows how the personal became political, as presidents arguing for American liberty remained entangled by slavery in their private lives and public service. This is a useful first step toward a larger study of slavery and the presidency that we sorely need if we are ever to understand the hold slavery had on the republic. - Library Journal

‘Jesse J. Holland's riveting book The Invisibles shines a long overdue light on the enslaved men and women who were forced to serve in the nation's seat of executive power—The White House. Not only does Holland reveal this ugly chapter of American history with sharp analysis and insight, he reveals the blatant hypocrisy of the nation's presidents and other leaders in permitting such a system of forcible servitude to exist. More importantly, he brings to life the stories and experiences of this group of nearly forgotten African Americans, who showed remarkable courage and resilient character despite being imprisoned by slavery in the heart of the so-called ‘land of the free.’’--J.D. Dickey, author of Empire of Mud: The Secret History of Washington, DC

Jesse Holland's The Invisibles uncovers White House secrets certain Presidents surely would have kept buried. Those Presidents who owned human beings and those who rejected slavery will come as a surprise. The Invisibles is a revealing journey for all readers. This is American history told well. -Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, author of The U.S. Constitution: An African-American Context and Race, Law, and American Society: 1607 to Present