Twelve Years a Slave
By Solomon Northup
- Release Date: 2013-09-17
- Genre: U.S. History
Description
The story that inspired the major motion picture, with an introduction by the bestselling author of Wench, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Twelve Years a Slave is a harrowing, vividly detailed, and utterly unforgettable account of slavery.
The story that inspired the major motion picture, with an introduction by the bestselling author of Wench, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Twelve Years a Slave is a harrowing, vividly detailed, and utterly unforgettable account of slavery.
Solomon Northup was an entrepreneur and dedicated family man, father to three young children, Elizabeth, Margaret, and Alonzo. What little free time he had after long days of manual and farm labor he spent reading books and playing the violin. Though his father was born into slavery, Solomon was born and lived free.
In March 1841, two strangers approached Northup, offering him employment as a violinist in a town hundreds of miles away from his home in Saratoga Springs, New York. Solomon bid his wife farewell until his return. Only after he was drugged and bound did he realize the strangers were kidnappers—that nefarious brand of criminals in the business of capturing runaway and free blacks for profit. Thus began Northup's horrific life as a slave.
Dehumanized, beaten, and worked mercilessly, Northup suffered all the more, wondering what had become of his family. One owner was savagely cruel and Northup recalls he was “indebted to him for nothing, save undeserved abuse.” Just as he felt the summer of his life fade and all hope nearly lost, he met a kindhearted stranger who changed the course of his life.
With its firsthand account of this country's Peculiar Institution, this is a book no one interested in American history can afford to miss.
Reviews
Spectacular
5By laural cThis is an awesome autobiography! How awful were Solomon’s 12 years of bondage but how great was his liberation. I couldn’t put this book down, it was definitely a page-turner. Solomon recounts his life as a kidnapped free person who was sold into slavery. How extremely terrible. This is a firsthand account from a person who lived it, telling how horrible slavery is. I highly recommend this book.Great Read
5By Chelley_27I loved this book just as much as Wench, I met this author while in high school & she inspired me in a lot of ways!! Can’t wait to read her next book.Page Turner!
5By spressl6I could absolutely not put this book down from cover to cover. I’ve seen the movie some years ago but the book just gives you more first-hand depictions. His articulation is so refreshing and satisfying to read from such a time when ignorance was all a person of color was expected to portray. Now I must watch the movie again and certainly, I recommend this book to any and everyone!Great Book
5By JzRz12Although it’s hard to “get into” due to the “wordage” it is an amazing story. Couldn’t put it down. A book to keep on the book shelf12 years a Slave
5By AlthascotThis was an excellent book. The kind you don’t want to stop reading. Very well written that I could almost visualize what occurred.Gripping Slavery Narrative
5By historymann49The true story of a free black man kidnapped and sold into slavery. Vivid description of his experiences and emotions during his 12-year captivity, culminating in his liberation. Quite an emotional experience for the reader- anger, hope, suspense, and final elation. Highly recommended.Amazing book
5By Great yas yeah habaSuch an amazing book, after finishing I came to a thought and conclusion this really happened to someone for 12 years. Not only did this happen to Mr. Northup but also countless of other African Americans. However, they may have not had the same outcome as Mr. Northup did. Such an amazing book!!!!Twelve Years a Slave
5By The worm with a permI was so shocked with the content of the book that I checked twice to see if it really was non fiction. Although I am not indigenous to the USA, it made me ashamed to be a white human being. Beautifully written by a man who has every right to be angry and bitter with the world but instead chose to embrace his rightful freedom - absolutely inspiring!A great book!
5By ClevelandsThis book should be a requirement in every school! A factual picture of the awful system of slavery from someone who'd always been free! The book draws you in. Very descriptive. So glad he was able to regain his freedom!Impacts our lives today
5By GramsybabyThis is a true story about this man and he tells us about everything that happened as a slave. This book can relate to our day lives and how we need to treat everyone equally! I highly recommend this book to everyone!Profound story!
5By Wuzntme74An amazing story! Very sad but happy in the end. I think they could've taken Epps and his wife out in the middle of the night, but they had been brainwashed by whites, the whip, and whites using the bible against them. How horrible! Solomon Northup is the real American Hero. No other!Long, difficult journey
4By cjonesThis was a very powerful book. However, the narrative style was difficult to immerse myself in. I am normally a fast reader. If it's a juicy book, I can easily devour it in a day or day. However, this was not the case here. I started this book in November 2013. Over time, I read it here and there, until I finally finished it in January 2014. I normally do not torture myself with such slow reading, but this was a man's accounting of his painful participation in history and it was a chance to get the message firsthand from a man that experienced it. So instead of rushing, I highlighted passages, took notes, and pondered his life. I sometimes set this book aside to look up facts regarding slavery, things the writer mentioned. Reading this has left a mark on my mind and my soul. This is a reminder that freedom is a precious gift. I haven't watched the movie yet, but I'm going to wait a bit. I'm not ready just yet. This journey needs to sink in... If you pick up this book, I highly recommend you stick with it. The reward of enlightenment is worth it.12 years a slave
5By F.joeAwesome book, real page turner.A lLittle bit if a hard read...
5By TemoringBut worth every word. Enjoyed it. Heart wrenching.12 Years a Slave
5By Bitasmalls....not a dry eye do I have. This story - the story of slavery on American soil is such a crime. A crime not talked about enough and not passed down to children. The stories, as sad and heartbreaking as they are, need to be shared. These stories can shed light on racism and it's ugliness.12 years a slave
5By mike's ipad 2Good reading and extremely interestingNot sure how I feel about how this was written
3By BC GarrisThis compelling story was at times to repetitive and lost in wordiness. Although I found the story interesting, I feel the negatives were focused on, more so than the positives which could have been brought out a little more. Life for slaves in those times was horrific, and that time has passed.Incredible Story...
5By LotoreadThe reader is lead by the hand through a period in this country's history that depicts man's inhumanity to man. There is no turning aside to avoid experiencing the fear, anger and determination of the human spirit.12 years a slave
5By SueballsGreat book
