Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave

by David Fiske, Clifford W. Brown Jr., Rachel Seligman

"Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years A Slave" provides a compelling chronological narrative of Northup's entire life, from his birth in an isolated settlement in upstate New York to the activities he pursued after his release from slavery. This comprehensive biography of Solomon Northup picks up where earlier annotated editions of his narrative left off, presenting fascinating, previously unknown information about the author of the autobiographical "Twelve Years A Slave."

This book examines Northup's life as a slave and reveals details of his life after he regained his freedom, relating how he traveled around the Northeast giving public lectures, worked with an Underground Railroad agent in Vermont to help fugitive slaves reach freedom in Canada, and was connected with several theatrical productions based upon his experiences. The tale of Northup's life demonstrates how the victims of the American system of slavery were not just the slaves themselves, but any free person of color--all of whom were potential kidnap victims, and whose lives were affected by that constant threat.

Genres: History

264 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

David Fiske is a librarian, genealogist, and researcher. He resides in Ballston Spa, New York. He has written numerous local history articles which were published in a weeky newspaper, Ballston Spa Life. A list of those articles can be found at:

David Fiske's history articles.


Mr. Fiske recently authored a book about Solomon Northup, a free black man who was a slave in Lousiana for nearly 12 years. After being rescued, Northup wrote a book about his experienes titled Twelve Years a Slave. For more information on Northup (and Fiske's book, Solomon Northup: His Life Before and After Slavery, see the Solomon Northup Page, which is maintained by Fiske.

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to believe this book stayed out of the limelight for all of these years. An unbelievable show of just how strong a person can be.. Highly recommend as it's well written and a piece of history that should never be forgotten..

[Marilyn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very well written and easy to understand. It seemed that the author gave a fair portrayal of the white people in his life, good and bad. I would like to see how the rest of his life turned out.

[Valerie Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw the movie, read the book on Google Books. It really astounds the mind.

[Anne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty dry, as an academic work would be. The research into the life of Solomon Northup is extensive and impressive. I learned so much more than what we learn from his book Twelve Years a Slave. The authors have covered all of the bases, and list all of the corroborative evidence to validate Northup’s accounting of his experience post kidnapping and being sold into slavery. They then give us the best possible accounting of his life post rescue. This story fascinates me, as the descendant of Northup’s first ‘owner’ William Prince Ford.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the actual journal written by Solomon Northrop in recounting his experience as a free person living in New York being kidnapped and sold as a slave for 12 years before people were able to discover his location and bring him home. The actual descriptions of experiences over those 12 years and things he did to survive are very fascinating. The kind of people that were willing to trick and enslave or beat him were also sad and fascinating to get a better understanding of life in the mid 1800s.

[Scott Whitlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who read or watched 12 Years a Slave, this gives a broader picture of Solomon Northup and his life. The authors offer evidence that he worked on the underground railroad. Given the mystery of his later life, I'd love that to be true. Really enjoyed learning more about this heroic figure.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The past and contemporary history of the United States is rife with racism and hatred. I wish that this book provided a past data point to illustrate how far the country has come to eradicate racism.
Instead, it illuminates that we have not come far at all.

[Greg Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading, Twelve Years A Slave, I was intrigued to know more about Solomon Northup. I currently reside in Glens Falls, NY and have visited every town and village he cites in his account. For my fellow locals, Northup actually owned property in Glens Falls near the corner of School and South Streets. He and his family also used to live on the property of the Old Fort House in Fort Edward. I believe there is a small museum containing some of his artifacts. Lastly, Solomon's father, Mintus, is buried in the Baker Street Cemetery on Route 4 in Hudson Falls.

This book gives a brief third-person narrative of Twelve Years A Slave. The authors then go into Northup's early life and then expand on the narrative of his time in slavery. Later in life, Northup went from being a national celebrity to falling on hard times. It is speculated, through anecdotal evidence, that he became a conductor on the Underground Railroad. He lead fugitive slaves through the Connecticut Valley up to Canada. No one knows when he died or where he is buried.

[Jo Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once you get used to the archaic syntax used in the early to mid 1800s, it is a very compelling story, surprisingly (to me) emotional. Recommend.

[Harley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offers excellent research and sources for anyone interested in digging deeper into Solomon Northrup's life.

[Rinku · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so moving. My heart was in my throat, really felt the pain. This really gave me a more 3 D perspective of people who are were enslaved. Wow!

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought it was super interesting, well written, and dramatic.

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not finish reading the book but watched the movie.

[Michelle]

a tough one...