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12 Years a Slave and the Emancipation Proclamation
Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup is a memoir of a black man who was born free in New York state but kidnapped, sold into slavery and kept in bondage for 12 years in Louisiana before the American Civil War. He provided details of slave markets in Washington, DC, as well as describing at length cotton cultivation on major plantations in Louisiana.
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2013
8 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Solomon Northup
134 books958 followersSolomon Northup was a free-born African American from Saratoga Springs, New York. He is noted for having been kidnapped in 1841 when enticed with a job offer. When he accompanied his supposed employers to Washington, DC, they drugged him and sold him into slavery. From Washington, DC, he was transported to New Orleans where he was sold to a plantation owner from Rapides Parish, Louisiana. After 12 years in bondage, he regained his freedom in January 1853; he was one of very few to do so in such cases. Held in the Red River region of Louisiana by several different owners, he got news to his family, who contacted friends and enlisted the New York governor in his cause. New York state had passed a law in 1840 to recover African-American residents who had been kidnapped and sold into slavery.
Northup sued the slave traders in Washington, DC, but lost in the local court. District of Columbia law prohibited him as a black man from testifying against whites and, without his testimony, the men went free. Returning to his family in New York, Northup became active in abolitionism. He published an account of his experiences in Twelve Years a Slave (1853) in his first year of freedom. Northup gave dozens of lectures throughout the Northeast on his experiences as a slave, in order to support the abolitionist cause.
In the early 1860s, Northup, along with another black man, aided a Methodist minister in Vermont in helping fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad. The circumstances of Northup's death are uncertain.
Solomon Northup's memoir was reprinted several times later in the 19th century. An annotated version was published in 1968, edited by Sue Eakin and Joseph Logsdon. The memoir was adapted and produced as a film in 2013 by Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northup. Previously, a TV movie had been made of Northup's story, Solomon Northup's Odyssey (1984), directed by Gordon Parks. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former U.S. poet laureate Rita Dove wrote her poem "The Abduction" about Solomon Northup (published in her first collection, "The Yellow House on the Corner", 1980.)
Since 1999, Saratoga Springs, New York, has celebrated an annual Solomon Northup Day.
Northup sued the slave traders in Washington, DC, but lost in the local court. District of Columbia law prohibited him as a black man from testifying against whites and, without his testimony, the men went free. Returning to his family in New York, Northup became active in abolitionism. He published an account of his experiences in Twelve Years a Slave (1853) in his first year of freedom. Northup gave dozens of lectures throughout the Northeast on his experiences as a slave, in order to support the abolitionist cause.
In the early 1860s, Northup, along with another black man, aided a Methodist minister in Vermont in helping fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad. The circumstances of Northup's death are uncertain.
Solomon Northup's memoir was reprinted several times later in the 19th century. An annotated version was published in 1968, edited by Sue Eakin and Joseph Logsdon. The memoir was adapted and produced as a film in 2013 by Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northup. Previously, a TV movie had been made of Northup's story, Solomon Northup's Odyssey (1984), directed by Gordon Parks. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former U.S. poet laureate Rita Dove wrote her poem "The Abduction" about Solomon Northup (published in her first collection, "The Yellow House on the Corner", 1980.)
Since 1999, Saratoga Springs, New York, has celebrated an annual Solomon Northup Day.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 5, 2017
Boldly and fearless written, powerful in his sentences and implications, but heartbreaking and letting you gasping for justice and the notion how human beings should behave and treat each other!!!
"12 years a slave" by Solomon Northup is your ticket for a glimpse at the life of a man born free, kidnapped and sold into slavery, leaving behind his wife and children...
This book isn't fiction, it's a real story !!!
During Solomons time as a slave, he was owned by several masters, and so he experienced different treatments....
This book, this account sheds much light and gives us a picture of slavery and the interaction between slaveholders and his victims!!!
Solomon Northup narration is similar to "Uncle Toms cabin". So, if you have enjoyed "uncle Toms cabin", you certainly will eagerly devour this book too with a lot of enjoyment....
And I believe unwavering that Solomons narration of his life, has made a dent in the universe.
I should mention that this account isn't focused only on him alone; much more Solomon gives and coveys to us trough powerful and vivid pictures the destiny that other slaves suffered!!!
I'll give 5 stars, and with conviction....
Dean
"12 years a slave" by Solomon Northup is your ticket for a glimpse at the life of a man born free, kidnapped and sold into slavery, leaving behind his wife and children...
This book isn't fiction, it's a real story !!!
During Solomons time as a slave, he was owned by several masters, and so he experienced different treatments....
This book, this account sheds much light and gives us a picture of slavery and the interaction between slaveholders and his victims!!!
Solomon Northup narration is similar to "Uncle Toms cabin". So, if you have enjoyed "uncle Toms cabin", you certainly will eagerly devour this book too with a lot of enjoyment....
And I believe unwavering that Solomons narration of his life, has made a dent in the universe.
I should mention that this account isn't focused only on him alone; much more Solomon gives and coveys to us trough powerful and vivid pictures the destiny that other slaves suffered!!!
I'll give 5 stars, and with conviction....
Dean
February 7, 2023
Took me a while to get through this book because of the subject matter.
Very distressing to think of humans being so cruel.
Very well written
Very distressing to think of humans being so cruel.
Very well written
May 8, 2018
After delving into crime fiction for two months I was ready for a change, though I enjoyed my crime fiction book I needed a new perspective on everything. After watching the award winning movie "12 Years a Slave" in History I felt nearly obligated to read Solomon Northrup's "12 Years a Slave". This touching story documents the struggle of Solomon Northrup's 12 Years of being an enslaved African American despite being a free man. Reading this gave me a whole new perspective on everything that has happened in the past, what is happening in the present, and what will happen in the future.
Solomon Northrup was skilled in basically everything he did. Northrup was an accomplished carpenter and aspiring and very talented violinist. One day Solomon was approached by two white men and and offered a job that would require him to leave Saratoga, NY and go farther upstate. After kindly accepting, Solomon regrettably didn't inform his wife or family, as he figured it would be a week at most. He was wrong. After traveling for many many hours, Solomon fell asleep. The next morning Solomon wakes up and finds himself enslaved on a plantation in Louisiana. Solomon tries explaining to his captors that he is in fact a free man. When asked if he doesn't have his freedom papers, he is beaten as a result of lying to his master. Solomon is enslaved by a man named William Ford who owns a large slave planation in Louisiana. Later on Solomon begins to act as an advocate for the Slaves living on the planation and often picks fights with his owners. Find out if Solomon will ever get emancipated by reading "12 Years a Slave".
I really enjoyed the perspective that this book provided. Whenever we learn about slavery in a classroom environment we don't really get a primary source perspective. We get a textbook perspective which can potentially be inaccurate and doesn't give the whole. perspective rather the school appropriate perspective. Theres a very distinct voice that draws you towards Solomon throughout this whole journal.
Though I enjoyed this book, I didn't enjoy the formality. There was a convincing voice but there really wasn't much elaboration but other than that it was a solid read and I would definitely recommend.
Solomon Northrup was skilled in basically everything he did. Northrup was an accomplished carpenter and aspiring and very talented violinist. One day Solomon was approached by two white men and and offered a job that would require him to leave Saratoga, NY and go farther upstate. After kindly accepting, Solomon regrettably didn't inform his wife or family, as he figured it would be a week at most. He was wrong. After traveling for many many hours, Solomon fell asleep. The next morning Solomon wakes up and finds himself enslaved on a plantation in Louisiana. Solomon tries explaining to his captors that he is in fact a free man. When asked if he doesn't have his freedom papers, he is beaten as a result of lying to his master. Solomon is enslaved by a man named William Ford who owns a large slave planation in Louisiana. Later on Solomon begins to act as an advocate for the Slaves living on the planation and often picks fights with his owners. Find out if Solomon will ever get emancipated by reading "12 Years a Slave".
I really enjoyed the perspective that this book provided. Whenever we learn about slavery in a classroom environment we don't really get a primary source perspective. We get a textbook perspective which can potentially be inaccurate and doesn't give the whole. perspective rather the school appropriate perspective. Theres a very distinct voice that draws you towards Solomon throughout this whole journal.
Though I enjoyed this book, I didn't enjoy the formality. There was a convincing voice but there really wasn't much elaboration but other than that it was a solid read and I would definitely recommend.
August 3, 2021
A must read.
October 19, 2021
Great story. Awful to think that it actually happened
February 12, 2024
An absolute must-read! A heartbreaking personal account of living in slavery, as told by Solomon Northup; a free-man abducted and sold into slavery.
January 20, 2025
Excellent inspiring story. The voice was not in line with the story.
November 30, 2016
12 Years a Slave and the Emancipation Proclamation was a very powerful read. In my mind, the two parts of the book--when he is living as a free man and when he is a slave--provided a thought-provoking contrast between his two worlds.
I found his account of growing up as a free man in New York state interesting. His marriage and dedication to his wife and children was touching. I was especially interested in how much he traveled to care for his family, and then, later, how all he learned through those travels and various occupations was able to help him as a slave.
Northup was obviously a naive man, just looking for an economic opportunity, when he fell into the hands of unscrupulous men. What he did not know about slavery before being sold into it, I feel, must have mirrored the knowledge of many people living up North during the years before the Civil War and the flowering Abolitionist Movement. What he learned about slavery was more than just the brutality of it; it was the soul-crushing loss of simple freedoms. It was difficult to read of the whippings and other punishments inflicted on him and his fellow slaves. The truth is difficult. However, Northup gave his kind masters their due as well. His account of his years in slavery rings true because he noted the kindness of a few versus the brutality of many.
As a primary, historical document, this should be required reading for US History classes. I was a history major in college, and I never heard of this book. I think a comparison of Northup's truth versus the fiction of Stowe would be a fantastic study.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about slavery in the Deep South from a first-hand account.
I found his account of growing up as a free man in New York state interesting. His marriage and dedication to his wife and children was touching. I was especially interested in how much he traveled to care for his family, and then, later, how all he learned through those travels and various occupations was able to help him as a slave.
Northup was obviously a naive man, just looking for an economic opportunity, when he fell into the hands of unscrupulous men. What he did not know about slavery before being sold into it, I feel, must have mirrored the knowledge of many people living up North during the years before the Civil War and the flowering Abolitionist Movement. What he learned about slavery was more than just the brutality of it; it was the soul-crushing loss of simple freedoms. It was difficult to read of the whippings and other punishments inflicted on him and his fellow slaves. The truth is difficult. However, Northup gave his kind masters their due as well. His account of his years in slavery rings true because he noted the kindness of a few versus the brutality of many.
As a primary, historical document, this should be required reading for US History classes. I was a history major in college, and I never heard of this book. I think a comparison of Northup's truth versus the fiction of Stowe would be a fantastic study.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about slavery in the Deep South from a first-hand account.
January 4, 2015
Twelve years a Slave is a great read for anyone interested in slavery (however I am not a specialist in this field, having only read one book).
Conditions described in the book allow us to feel the Solomon's pain, his thirst for liberty and his desperation. But it's not only about his feelings. In our imagination we can relive the hardship of all the hard-working slaves.
The strongest part of the book for me, was the one in which abolitionist Bass argued with slaveholder Epps about the slavery. It might be a cliché, but it really feels like the same debate we are having about homosexual rights in Slovakia at the moment (i.e. in 2015). There are still people, who fail to realise the equality of homosexual and heterosexual love, just like the Epps analogically couldn't grap the equality of men, no matter of skin colour.
Outstanding first read of 2015.
Conditions described in the book allow us to feel the Solomon's pain, his thirst for liberty and his desperation. But it's not only about his feelings. In our imagination we can relive the hardship of all the hard-working slaves.
The strongest part of the book for me, was the one in which abolitionist Bass argued with slaveholder Epps about the slavery. It might be a cliché, but it really feels like the same debate we are having about homosexual rights in Slovakia at the moment (i.e. in 2015). There are still people, who fail to realise the equality of homosexual and heterosexual love, just like the Epps analogically couldn't grap the equality of men, no matter of skin colour.
Outstanding first read of 2015.
June 22, 2015
I really enjoyed this book and am anxious to watch the movie. I found this book to be the most well written of any slave narrative I've read, and couldn't believe how objective Soloman was in describing what he went through. I know for some people, the movie was really hard to watch, but the book lacks graphic description and overly emotional moments. Like I said, he pretty much just reported the facts of his situation, and he says he wants the reader to come to their own conclusions. It took me a long while to read it, but not because of lack of interest, just lack of time. The chapters are very short and read quickly. Definitely worth the time to read.
December 18, 2013
There aren't many less than stellar reviews on my profile, mostly because if I become bored with a book, I stop reading it. I couldn't hardly put this one down. I've read a few books pertaining to slavery, but this one has to be the best. The author has the rare perspective having been both free and enslaved. He walks you through daily life, the ups and downs, the breaking and perseverance of spirit. Excellent read
December 10, 2013
This was not an easy book to read for me. I found it necessary as I need to be able to educate my son on his ancestry. It was educational to say the least. It has been the book that has stuck with me the most this year!!
August 23, 2015
it's almost like a companion book for Incidents in the life of a Slave Girl. Both are excellent perspectives written at the time. Two different yet similar experiences. well written also. Interesting also that both authors admit to holding back in content and emotion.
January 4, 2014
Amazing story!
April 11, 2017
This is one of those books that you get done with and think everyone should read. Solomon recounts the horrors and inhumanities committed during his stint as a kidnapped black man sold into slavery. In addition to his first hand account of slavery under a devilish master, Solomon does a good job of describing the farming and social motions of a plantation. This gives the book good historical context.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews