Twelve Years a Slave: Plus Five American Slave Narratives

by Solomon Northup

Solomon Northup was born a free man in New York State. At the age of 33 he was kidnapped in Washington D.C. and placed in an underground slave pen. Northup was transported by ship to New Orleans where he was sold into slavery. He spent the next 12 years working as a carpenter, driver, and cotton picker. This narrative reveals how Northup survived the harsh conditions of slavery, including smallpox, lashings, and an attempted hanging.

Solomon Northup was among a select few who were freed from slavery. His account describes the daily life of slaves in Louisiana, their diet and living conditions, the relationship between master and slave, and how slave catchers used to recapture runaways. Northup's first person account published in 1853, was a dramatic story in the national debate over slavery that took place in the nine years leading up to the start of the American Civil War.

Also included are five American narratives from former slaves.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Classics, Ebooks, Memoir, Historical

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2014

About the author

Solomon 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.

Reviews

[Pat Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to rate a book such as this, takes some thinking. I cannot rate it as enjoyable, because the suffering it details is not enjoyable. Amazing as in astonishing is a better rating. The kidnapping and being sold into slavery is harrowing. The appalling treatment is harrowing. This history is important, because it serves to remind us both of the cruelty meted out to slaves, and of the humanity of those who fought to conquer it.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio. A little stiff as language for the 1800's can be.
But incredible descriptions of slave life.

[Nena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only read Twelve Years a Slave and not the other books included. Twelve Years was excellent. It was so well written that I could vividly see the scenes of which Solomon Northup wrote. This is the truest account of slavery that I have ever read. It is so disappointing that he was taken away from his family and not listened to when he stated he was free. To live those 12 years in slavery took more than courage to endure. I highly recommend this book.

Also, the movie is good, but does not do this book justice. There are so many parts of the book left out of the movie, that I would recommend reading the book first. It is a quick read.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Does not work

Bought this for my African-American course because it is supposed to have several of the works we are reading. However, once downloaded it seems not to work. I cannot access any of the texts, and only see a few black and white images. I removed from kindle and downloaded again, and the same thing is happening. Disappointed in this purchase but glad that it was so cheap. I feel like I just got tricked into donating money.

[martina :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

que libro más triste dios bendito, estoy literalmente llorando 😿

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The horrific details of slavery that Northup describes in his memoir of mistakenly being taken captivity open the reader's eyes to the cruelty of this Southern custom which some people today still consider a valid way of life. The writer's capacity for words and narrative is so far above that of his captors that one is astonished that he could keep secret his status as a free black in order to survive life in Louisiana and not be sent further away to Texas as punishment, when he longed to join his wife and family in Fort Edward/Glens Falls, N. Y. His endurance after multiple lashings and attempted escapes through swamps makes him superhuman. Anyone with illusions that there were good slave owners needs to read this.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after watching the movie "Twelve Years a Slave." The movie took a few artistic liberties (movies usually do), but for the most part it stuck to the book. The book itself was shorter than I anticipated, but very succinctly captured Northup's experiences and is very compelling. Not an easy read, however most books on slavery are not.

[L. L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this twice this year so far. Gave me a interesting perspective of this man's life. Very good read and have recommended it already many times. This is one of those books, in my opinion, if you haven't read it at least once in your life you really should.

[james bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read, necessary to fully appreciate American history.

my first exposure to slavery in America as it truly existed and an appreciation of the Emancipation Proclamation. I believe this should be read by everyone.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers an up close and personal look at life as a slave told in story form. The author, who was a free man, was taken captive and sold. This is a story of his 12 year journey back to freedom. Highly recommend.

[Daniel Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling narrative piled high with fear, injustice and, finally, triumph. Just as good as the film, and the film won Academy Awards. Strongly recommended.

[jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving five stars to books like this always feels like I'm giving a thumbs up to terrible things. Let's just say my appreciation for this book is 5/5 stars.

[AH]

Amazon free download 2/10/14.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have completed 12 Years A Slave which was the main purpose for downloading it. I also plan to read the others as I feel they are popular works I should have read before.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this movie sad story but was captivated by the characters. Decided to read the book. So far it is as good as the movie. It was written by the man enslaved after his release.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. Have not read the other stories yet.

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening story

[Amy Schumacher · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointed.

I can't even read the book. All I can see are the pictures. At least it only cost 99 cents.

[Isi Álvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

no wa a mentir ni siquiera lo leí (bien) pero la película chetumare me hizo llorar más que la fox 😵😵😪

[Alexandra Gallego]

Crudeza máxima sobre cómo era la vida de un esclavo en aquella América. Lleno de ejemplos que ponen los pelos de punta y te hacen pensar hasta dónde llega el ser humano y la política. ¿Hubiéramos sido nosotros diferentes si hubiéramos sido educados en que aquello es lo normal? Esperanzador saber que aún a pesar de la educación recibida, la gente con pensamiento critico era capaz de saber que eso no era lo correcto y luchaba contra ello.
Demasiado autobiográfico y descriptivo, duro de leer en algunas partes. Sobretodo cuando se habla de cómo se labra la tierra durante páginas y páginas.
Siento poca empatía hacia el personaje, ya que lo considero poco profundo y bastante plano.

[Grismara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Solomon Northup honestly gave me nightmares at first because I could vividly see the scenes that Solomon Northup wrote. It’s very disappointing to see how people were treated back and betrayed just for money. I am glad to say that as a society we have come a way long way from slavery and that is something I am proud of.

[Janet Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the only book I’ve ever read written from the slaves point of view. How tragic what our fellow man endured. I am thankful that there were those who saw this evil and helped the enslaved to the best of their ability.

[Charles Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling bio

[Loretta Wadner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible stories slaves who fought for freedom and survival during the pre-Civil War. Very powerful collection of books all in one. Now I need to watch the movie but get my mind set for what I would encounter.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just ok. I found it rather boring in some spots and got confused sometimes in the story line. I feel like I will get more out of watching the movie.

[Gwynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't imagine living in that time.

[TravelQueen]

I've only read Twelve Years a Slave.

[Tina Sprague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding read

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are a must read for anyone who is searching for the truth about slavery in the United States

[Wilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing