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12 Years A Slave: True story of an African-American who was kidnapped in New York and sold into slavery - with bonus material: Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe
The extraordinary true story of Solomon Northup, a free African-American living in New York in 1841, who was kidnapped, sold into slavery, and subjected to unimaginable degradation and abuse until his rescue 12 years later.
This moving and utterly brutal book is a harrowing account of his life in the sugar and cotton plantations of Louisiana, subject to varying degrees of savagery and abuse by a series of owners. Against all odds, Northup eventually manages to get word to his family – and the ensuing rescue from the drunken and sadistic Mr Epps and subsequent legal cases are no less shocking than the rest of the tale.
Northup’s meticulous first-hand recordings of slave life, written in conjunction with a white lawyer called David Wilson, provide a true-life testament to tremendous courage and resolve in the face of unspeakable injustice.
Now a major Hollywood film, nominated for Best Picture at the 2014 Academy Awards, and directed by Steve McQueen – starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender and Benedict Cumberbatch.
199 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2014
About the author
Solomon Northup
151 books1,000 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 10, 2020
First of all, reading how much sick are the things happened and narrated in this book, knowing it is a true story adds a gas to the fire of all the sorrow and broken I felt reading the story. How sick and brutal this is, it must be the very first reason to be ashamed of humanity, if this was humanity. And if it wasn’t where did we get it?? All the cruelty happened during slavery time, not just in America, but all of the world is more than enough and never by any means justifiable, and we should run far away as much as possible from such thought of men. Coming through all the bloody story like this, it is a shame and totally savage being still racist, judging people with their skin color and family line.
“I had not then learned the measure of “man’s inhumanity to man,” nor to what limitless extent of wickedness he will go for the love of gain.”
A free man, a man of family, was kidnapped away from his family and drowned to be a slave, a man found himself in chains without even knowing it, and no matter how much the idea troubled his mind, serious of ‘masters’ break him into pieces from time to time, just to be.. after several and very difficult years of his life to be reunited with his family with tears and as he said unspeakable happiness.
It is another bold shame that justice never served him, that his kidnappers and every guilty soul got away with all their bloody hell crimes. Last but not, never meant to be least, it shattered my heart what the black women had to go through, their master interest to be counted as their sin. Their beautiful body to be their enemy, getting them to be spitted on and raped like an animal.
“I had not then learned the measure of “man’s inhumanity to man,” nor to what limitless extent of wickedness he will go for the love of gain.”
A free man, a man of family, was kidnapped away from his family and drowned to be a slave, a man found himself in chains without even knowing it, and no matter how much the idea troubled his mind, serious of ‘masters’ break him into pieces from time to time, just to be.. after several and very difficult years of his life to be reunited with his family with tears and as he said unspeakable happiness.
It is another bold shame that justice never served him, that his kidnappers and every guilty soul got away with all their bloody hell crimes. Last but not, never meant to be least, it shattered my heart what the black women had to go through, their master interest to be counted as their sin. Their beautiful body to be their enemy, getting them to be spitted on and raped like an animal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2021
Moving story. Very well written.
March 26, 2023
This book is a story about a free citizen of America named Solomon Northup who was being cheated, kidnapped and finally sold as a slave in southern part of America. It describes not just the life of Solomon but rather the hardships and discrimination faced by the slaves as per the observation of the author in his 12 years of slavery.
I decided to read this book before watching the movie which is based on this book named "12 years a slave". I cannot say it was a good experience because it's not easy to read or watch something which is quite disturbing and brutal towards someone. But from a reader's perspective I would rate the writing and description of the incidents somewhere between 3.5 - 4/5.
I decided to read this book before watching the movie which is based on this book named "12 years a slave". I cannot say it was a good experience because it's not easy to read or watch something which is quite disturbing and brutal towards someone. But from a reader's perspective I would rate the writing and description of the incidents somewhere between 3.5 - 4/5.
December 31, 2019
So glad I finally read this book!
September 21, 2022
This is the true account written by Solomon Horthup, about his own experiences of being kidnapped, beaten, and sold into a life of slavery for tweleve years.
It took me quite a long time to finish this book, although it only had 363 pages. The reason it took me so long was not because it was badly written, but because it was truthful, honest, and graphically written. Solomon Northup did not hold anything back when he was asked to recount his twelve years as a slave. It was horrific, heart wrenching, and often left me doubting whether or not the people who captured him, enslaved him, and ‘kept’ him were actually from the human race.
At the beginning of his capture, Solomon was beaten quite severely to ensure he did not reveal to anyone that he was in fact a free man. His first master Ford, was a ‘good’ man, but due to his master’s brother’s debts, was forced to hand over Solomon, now only known as Platt to his brother’s debtor. From there, Solomon was constantly in fear of his life and had gotten into a few fights with the ‘Overseer’ Tibeats, who wanted more than anything to kill Platt/Solomon.
After Solomon’s first two years he is sold off to his final slave master Mr. Epps, where he survives for the next 10 years. Here, he meets Patsey, who is always happy, bouncy, and good to be around. However, she is terrified of both Mr and Mrs Epps, because her master wishes to have his own way with her, if she refuses she will be whipped. Mrs Epps, because she knows her husband wants this slave girl and finds any excuse to whip her, often tricking her husband to do the deed for her. Mrs Epps often tells her husband to sell Patsey, but he refuses because she is the best cotton picker he has ever known and brings in far too much crop to simply sell off.
Solomon describes their fight for survival over the ten years prior to his release, but the sheer brutality of Mr Epps is beyond comprehension. The description of this monster coming into the slave’s sleeping area when he is drunk with a whip in his hand and using any excuse to whip and beat an innocent slave shows just how sociopathic Epps really was. Nearing the end of Solomon’s slavery, he describes in detail how Epps whips Patsey within an inch of her life, and destroys her hope.
Solomon, through a the help of a compassionate, and outspoken white man who is against slavery, called Bass, manages to send a secret letter to the North, where steps are taken to find and finally set free him.
As I suggested at the beginning of the review, this true story is not for the faint-hearted, I would therefore recommend this book for older, mature teens to adults. This is a good book to start off any discussions about slavery, the treatmet of both, male and female slaves and the attitudes of both Northern and Southern America towards slaves.
It took me quite a long time to finish this book, although it only had 363 pages. The reason it took me so long was not because it was badly written, but because it was truthful, honest, and graphically written. Solomon Northup did not hold anything back when he was asked to recount his twelve years as a slave. It was horrific, heart wrenching, and often left me doubting whether or not the people who captured him, enslaved him, and ‘kept’ him were actually from the human race.
At the beginning of his capture, Solomon was beaten quite severely to ensure he did not reveal to anyone that he was in fact a free man. His first master Ford, was a ‘good’ man, but due to his master’s brother’s debts, was forced to hand over Solomon, now only known as Platt to his brother’s debtor. From there, Solomon was constantly in fear of his life and had gotten into a few fights with the ‘Overseer’ Tibeats, who wanted more than anything to kill Platt/Solomon.
After Solomon’s first two years he is sold off to his final slave master Mr. Epps, where he survives for the next 10 years. Here, he meets Patsey, who is always happy, bouncy, and good to be around. However, she is terrified of both Mr and Mrs Epps, because her master wishes to have his own way with her, if she refuses she will be whipped. Mrs Epps, because she knows her husband wants this slave girl and finds any excuse to whip her, often tricking her husband to do the deed for her. Mrs Epps often tells her husband to sell Patsey, but he refuses because she is the best cotton picker he has ever known and brings in far too much crop to simply sell off.
Solomon describes their fight for survival over the ten years prior to his release, but the sheer brutality of Mr Epps is beyond comprehension. The description of this monster coming into the slave’s sleeping area when he is drunk with a whip in his hand and using any excuse to whip and beat an innocent slave shows just how sociopathic Epps really was. Nearing the end of Solomon’s slavery, he describes in detail how Epps whips Patsey within an inch of her life, and destroys her hope.
Solomon, through a the help of a compassionate, and outspoken white man who is against slavery, called Bass, manages to send a secret letter to the North, where steps are taken to find and finally set free him.
As I suggested at the beginning of the review, this true story is not for the faint-hearted, I would therefore recommend this book for older, mature teens to adults. This is a good book to start off any discussions about slavery, the treatmet of both, male and female slaves and the attitudes of both Northern and Southern America towards slaves.
May 10, 2023
It breaks my heart to know that Solomon Northup was kept as a slave for twelve years for no fault of his own. How cruel his masters were who preferred to sell him from place to place but never paid any heed to his remarks of being a free soul. They even changed his name and beat him to death. He was away from his family for the worst twelve years of his life but always affirmed his heart to the place where he was born and grew up.
I haven't watched the movie yet but I believe I will skip it as of now as this book was remarkable and my heart goes out to every person who has been asked to live without their free will. Thank you.
I haven't watched the movie yet but I believe I will skip it as of now as this book was remarkable and my heart goes out to every person who has been asked to live without their free will. Thank you.
December 4, 2023
A memoir written by a freeman who was kidnapped and sold into slavery where he suffered for 12 years before gaining his freedom back.
Solomon wrote about his life as a slave and all of the sufferings that he and others had to go through just because they have a colored skin.
The pain, the suffer, the injustice that was explained in the book is imaginable! Such a heartbreaking memoir.
I would have loved if the writer wrote a chapter about the fate of some of the characters in the book.
It is a good book if you're interested in American history during the 1800's and in what people with a different skin color went through.
Ig: @sarah.eunoia
Solomon wrote about his life as a slave and all of the sufferings that he and others had to go through just because they have a colored skin.
The pain, the suffer, the injustice that was explained in the book is imaginable! Such a heartbreaking memoir.
I would have loved if the writer wrote a chapter about the fate of some of the characters in the book.
It is a good book if you're interested in American history during the 1800's and in what people with a different skin color went through.
Ig: @sarah.eunoia
November 27, 2023
Took me a week or two to process and digest this book. It tells the harrowing tale of Solomon Northup, a New Yorker who was kidnapped while playing as a violinist in Washington, DC in the mid 1800’s. He relates his experiences as a slave on plantations in Louisiana and the horrors he witnessed there, including the powerlessness of women to protect themselves against sexual violence. We see how small kindnesses saved Northup’s life on several occasions and how one man’s determination helped him regain freedom. This book is a testament to the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit. Highly recommend the film.
June 24, 2022
This book was very interesting and keeps you wanting to read. It shows the thing slaves had to go through like being abused. Their owners would beat them and in one case Solomon is enslaved with a woman who gets raped by her owner. The only thing that keeps him in sane is playing violin. His love for playing the violin brings him light during these dark times. His ongoing determination of proving himself free eventually pays off. And in the end he gets to return to his wife and kids.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2021
In some parts I had tears in my eyes. Books like these only make me think how cruel a man can be. They never think before acting harsh on others. What goes round comes round- if not in this life then surely karma is waiting for you in your next life.
May 12, 2023
Many old stories are so boring to me (tom sawyer?) and don't live up to the modern attention span. This book wasn't one of those. It's a beautiful writing of a heartbreaking story. The narration fit perfectly. I can feel Solomon's soul through the words
June 16, 2014
This was an amazing story to read! His persistence to regain his freedom was impressive.
September 26, 2020
Inspirational, a vision , a dream . Lot of things happen his life during slavery time. True picture show of South America
September 7, 2022
Brilliant
November 23, 2022
Sad & heartwarming 🥺
February 19, 2023
This is one of the books that made me cry. While progressing the book the chain of events occurring in his life made me realize how bad it was to be a slave.
June 12, 2023
Heart-wrenching, and so brave!
October 16, 2023
Gripping book
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews