William Otter's History of My Own Time is a riveting, disturbing window into the world of rural artisans in the early republic. Paul Stott's thorough, thoughtful, and sometimes brilliant editing and commentary greatly enhance the text. Local historians, students, and academics will love it and hate it all at once, while the old families of Frederick County will either cringe ... Read moreto find their ancestors in league with Otter or sigh with relief at their absence from the History.
Maryland Historical Magazine
This edition of Otter's autobiography is a welcome addition to the scant volume of literature dealing with the rural laboring men of the early national period. Otter's autobiography also offers an interesting commentary on the nature of nineteenth century American character, highlighting its admirable as well as its contemptible qualities. For these reasons, and many others, this work deserves recognition and further discussion by scholars and students of American history alike.
The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biographies
Otter's life story opens doors into our understanding of northern Jacksonian, including their acceptance of Indian removal, and their lack of concern over slavery. This is a disturbing but significant publication.
Journal of the Early Republic
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