Evans says this book is about investigating healing tradition by placing race, and gender at the center and that this book is specifically for Black women. She is seeking to reconstruct contemporary conceptions of self-care, showing how they are rooted in the past, and not just newfound notions. The goal of this work is to study and apply Black women's ideas about wellness. Evans explored care narratives to release the pressures and stress that black women deal with in isolation. She says, "compassion and politics clearly emerged as the salient themes throughout this book… And are as palatable as themes of health, healing, and wellness in black women's experiences." Black women's memoirs can be read as letters between generations about how to find historic wisdom, internal fortitude, and political courage. Check out Evan's hashtag #HistoricalWellness. 

The book made me think about the way historians traditionally present their historical studies. The way Evans structured her book and the type of sources she used has made me rethink my own work. The book itself made me think about wellness and holistic practices that are passed down by our elders. There is so much to say about Evans’ work but I will say that it is worth the read.