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Amistad
Amistad is the powerfully re-imagined history of one of the country's first battles for civil rights. In 1839 fifty-three enslaved Africans, led by a Mende rice farmer named Singbe-Pieh, staged a bloody rebellion on board the Amistad , a Spanish slaver from Cuba. The Amistad was intercepted by U.S. navy officers and towed to port in New London, Connecticut, where the Africans were held for trial in New Haven. Led by President Van Buren, the pro-slavery American government maintained that the Africans were Spanish property and should by returned to Havana to be tried for murder, but members of the fledgling abolitionist movement forced a series of trials to win their freedom, culminating at the Supreme Court, where the Amistads were defended by former President John Quincy Adams.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 28, 2021
Historical fiction about a real event: the Amistad, a Cuban-owned ship, transporting fifty-three Africans to be sold into slavery. The captives wrested control of the ship from the crew, killing the captain and cook. They attempted to sail back to Africa but ended up off the coast of Connecticut. The revolt occurs in the first quarter, and the bulk of the story relates the aftermath – the wrangling between countries, the political ramifications, and the trials that decided their fate. At the time, 1839, the US and Great Britain had outlawed the Atlantic slave trade, but it was still practiced by Spain and its colonies.
In the Afterword, the author explains that he combined a few characters, compressed a few timelines, and created the dialogue, but the trials remain true to the transcripts. It is one of the first civil rights cases in the US. It does what historical fiction does best – brings to light an episode of history in a way a modern reader can appreciate. I found it fascinating.
In the Afterword, the author explains that he combined a few characters, compressed a few timelines, and created the dialogue, but the trials remain true to the transcripts. It is one of the first civil rights cases in the US. It does what historical fiction does best – brings to light an episode of history in a way a modern reader can appreciate. I found it fascinating.
May 30, 2011
There are several books out there detailing the history behind the case of the black men aboard the ship the Amistad. This novel, by David Pesci, is a historical fiction. Pesci has taken the facts of the case and used his imagination to create the parts of the story we don’t know.
The main protagonist in this fictionalization is Singbe – or Joseph Cinque, as the American courts called him. He was a Mende rice farmer captured and sold onto a slave ship bound for Cuba. When purchased in Cuba, along with 53 other Africans, they were transferred under false papers saying all of them were slaves who had been born and raised in Cuba. This is after the time when the slave trade had been outlawed in England and America to the extent that you couldn’t bring in new slaves from Africa, but you could still continue to deal with slaves born on American or Cuban soil. When told he and the other slaves aboard the Amistad were going to be cannibalized by their new owners in America, Singbe leads a revolt, killing most of the crew and taking two white men and a Cuban-born slave hostage. They attempt to sail the ship back to Africa, having no knowledge of ships or navigation and are eventually picked up by an American Naval ship, who has heard reports of black pirates in the area. The white men aboard claim the Africans were going to eat them and that they are the legal owners of the slaves. Several Americans, including the Naval officers who took the ship, claim salvage rights. Some people want the slaves sold on American soil, the Spaniards aboard the Amistad want the Africans shipped back to Cuba to be tried for murder, and the abolitionists realize these are Africans and not Cuban slaves and decide to fight for their freedom.
What follows is the precedent setting court case in the American history of abolition. Over the period of years, with the input of several Presidents, judges, and the Supreme Court, the Africans and Abolitionists fight for the freedom of the Amistads to return to Africa and their homes. Their lives are threatened and several statements of perjury have to be de-bunked before they can even begin to make progress.
This book is an astounding fictionalization of a huge moment in American history that has failed to receive the attention it deserves. Pesci does a wonderful job of creating the intensity of feeling in the reader which Singbe and the other Africans were feeling aboard a ship, with no hope of ever seeing their families again. He manages to balance the emotional part of the case with the legal portion, never slipping into too much court jargon or sentimentalism. This is a great place to start if you want to learn more about the case of the Amistad.
The main protagonist in this fictionalization is Singbe – or Joseph Cinque, as the American courts called him. He was a Mende rice farmer captured and sold onto a slave ship bound for Cuba. When purchased in Cuba, along with 53 other Africans, they were transferred under false papers saying all of them were slaves who had been born and raised in Cuba. This is after the time when the slave trade had been outlawed in England and America to the extent that you couldn’t bring in new slaves from Africa, but you could still continue to deal with slaves born on American or Cuban soil. When told he and the other slaves aboard the Amistad were going to be cannibalized by their new owners in America, Singbe leads a revolt, killing most of the crew and taking two white men and a Cuban-born slave hostage. They attempt to sail the ship back to Africa, having no knowledge of ships or navigation and are eventually picked up by an American Naval ship, who has heard reports of black pirates in the area. The white men aboard claim the Africans were going to eat them and that they are the legal owners of the slaves. Several Americans, including the Naval officers who took the ship, claim salvage rights. Some people want the slaves sold on American soil, the Spaniards aboard the Amistad want the Africans shipped back to Cuba to be tried for murder, and the abolitionists realize these are Africans and not Cuban slaves and decide to fight for their freedom.
What follows is the precedent setting court case in the American history of abolition. Over the period of years, with the input of several Presidents, judges, and the Supreme Court, the Africans and Abolitionists fight for the freedom of the Amistads to return to Africa and their homes. Their lives are threatened and several statements of perjury have to be de-bunked before they can even begin to make progress.
This book is an astounding fictionalization of a huge moment in American history that has failed to receive the attention it deserves. Pesci does a wonderful job of creating the intensity of feeling in the reader which Singbe and the other Africans were feeling aboard a ship, with no hope of ever seeing their families again. He manages to balance the emotional part of the case with the legal portion, never slipping into too much court jargon or sentimentalism. This is a great place to start if you want to learn more about the case of the Amistad.
June 21, 2019
**This review has also been posted to Amazon and edwardrickford.com**
I first learned about Amistad in middle school when we took time out of class to watch Spielberg’s Amistad. If I remember correctly, we only saw part of the movie but I struggle to remember exactly how much. In any case, I cannot say I found the movie particularly moving. I really enjoyed Spielberg’s historical films like Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s list but Amistad just did not click with me. I did, however, find the case interesting and was glad I learned more about the case in some of my American history classes in college. It was not until I read David Pesci’s Amistad, however, that I felt like I gained a truly rich understanding of this unique historical incident.
Told primarily from the perspective of Singbe, a Mende tribesman abducted and sold into slavery, the story starts with the Amistad ship en route to the Caribbean. In terms of establishing proper context, it is important to note that the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was technically illegal at this time so the slavers must take great pains to avoid detection. The upside for the smugglers, however, is that demand for slaves remains skyhigh on the plantations which all but ensures a great profit, as long as they can make it to a Western seaport alive. Singbe and the other enslaved Africans have only a vague notion of what awaits them on the other side of the Atlantic, but they are not about to trust their well-being to slavers. They are at first powerless to improve their situation but Singbe comes into possession a small item which could change everything: a loose nail. He quickly takes possession of this invaluable treasure and uses it to unlock his manacles, as well as the manacles of those locked below with him. The slavers are woefully unprepared for a revolt and the abducted Africans quickly gain control of the ship.
As it turns out, they have not departed the metaphorical woods just yet. Only the slavers know how to operate the ship which begs a terrible question: can the leaders of the slave revolt trust the men who tried to sell them into slavery? They are contemptible men to be sure but Singbe, unofficial leader of the slave revolt, reasons that everyone on board hopes to make landfall so he grudgingly allows the surviving slavers to assist with navigation. It ends up being a costly mistake and the smugglers secretly navigate the ship towards a nearby slave country which just so happens to be the United States. Singbe and the other Africans are arrested by American forces and thereafter put on trial for murder. The subsequent trial comprises the bulk of the novel and features cameos from major historical figures like John Quincy Adams as well as many lesser-known historical figures.
I love a good courtroom drama as much as the next person, but it’s the final few chapters of the book I remember most. At this point in the story, the trial is concluded but the abducted Africans are totally destitute and lack the means to return to West Africa. Fortunately, an anti-slavery society has agreed to help raise funds for their return and the “Amistads” tour New England to solicit funds. The Amistads prove to be a major draw with the abolitionist crowd and as they inch closer to their explicit goal, the partnership between the anti-slavery society and the Amistads begin to fray. The former is dedicated to the abolition of slavery nationwide and believe the Amistads should play a key role in that struggle on account of their unique popularity with audiences. The Amistads, however, are concerned first and foremost with returning home and have little interest in serving as spokesmen for the abolitionist cause if it will delay their ability to return home.
Ultimately, the anti-slavery society makes good on their promise but the conflict raises interesting questions. Are the Amistads selfish for not doing more to help the abolitionist cause? Are the abolitionists selfish for asking so much of the Amistads? I don’t think there is a simple yes or no for either question and that’s what makes the ending of Amistad powerful for me. The book is available on Amazon and can be requested at most libraries and I recommend it to anyone interested in West African history, legal history, or American history.
I first learned about Amistad in middle school when we took time out of class to watch Spielberg’s Amistad. If I remember correctly, we only saw part of the movie but I struggle to remember exactly how much. In any case, I cannot say I found the movie particularly moving. I really enjoyed Spielberg’s historical films like Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s list but Amistad just did not click with me. I did, however, find the case interesting and was glad I learned more about the case in some of my American history classes in college. It was not until I read David Pesci’s Amistad, however, that I felt like I gained a truly rich understanding of this unique historical incident.
Told primarily from the perspective of Singbe, a Mende tribesman abducted and sold into slavery, the story starts with the Amistad ship en route to the Caribbean. In terms of establishing proper context, it is important to note that the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was technically illegal at this time so the slavers must take great pains to avoid detection. The upside for the smugglers, however, is that demand for slaves remains skyhigh on the plantations which all but ensures a great profit, as long as they can make it to a Western seaport alive. Singbe and the other enslaved Africans have only a vague notion of what awaits them on the other side of the Atlantic, but they are not about to trust their well-being to slavers. They are at first powerless to improve their situation but Singbe comes into possession a small item which could change everything: a loose nail. He quickly takes possession of this invaluable treasure and uses it to unlock his manacles, as well as the manacles of those locked below with him. The slavers are woefully unprepared for a revolt and the abducted Africans quickly gain control of the ship.
As it turns out, they have not departed the metaphorical woods just yet. Only the slavers know how to operate the ship which begs a terrible question: can the leaders of the slave revolt trust the men who tried to sell them into slavery? They are contemptible men to be sure but Singbe, unofficial leader of the slave revolt, reasons that everyone on board hopes to make landfall so he grudgingly allows the surviving slavers to assist with navigation. It ends up being a costly mistake and the smugglers secretly navigate the ship towards a nearby slave country which just so happens to be the United States. Singbe and the other Africans are arrested by American forces and thereafter put on trial for murder. The subsequent trial comprises the bulk of the novel and features cameos from major historical figures like John Quincy Adams as well as many lesser-known historical figures.
I love a good courtroom drama as much as the next person, but it’s the final few chapters of the book I remember most. At this point in the story, the trial is concluded but the abducted Africans are totally destitute and lack the means to return to West Africa. Fortunately, an anti-slavery society has agreed to help raise funds for their return and the “Amistads” tour New England to solicit funds. The Amistads prove to be a major draw with the abolitionist crowd and as they inch closer to their explicit goal, the partnership between the anti-slavery society and the Amistads begin to fray. The former is dedicated to the abolition of slavery nationwide and believe the Amistads should play a key role in that struggle on account of their unique popularity with audiences. The Amistads, however, are concerned first and foremost with returning home and have little interest in serving as spokesmen for the abolitionist cause if it will delay their ability to return home.
Ultimately, the anti-slavery society makes good on their promise but the conflict raises interesting questions. Are the Amistads selfish for not doing more to help the abolitionist cause? Are the abolitionists selfish for asking so much of the Amistads? I don’t think there is a simple yes or no for either question and that’s what makes the ending of Amistad powerful for me. The book is available on Amazon and can be requested at most libraries and I recommend it to anyone interested in West African history, legal history, or American history.
April 2, 2021
Recently I was thinking, "Wouldn’t it be interesting to write a book about a slave ship where the slaves revolted, took over the ship and ended up on an unknown island. There they would survive, procreate and build their own Shangri la so to speak. I googled this situation and up popped Amistad .
Written in 1997, as historical fiction. Pesci does a superlative job with the story of Singbe aka Joseph Cinque, an African from Sierra Leone who was kidnapped, transported to Cuba in 1839 and then sold along with others to corrupt slavers who planned to sell them in the USA where African slaves were no longer allowed to enter. Placed on the Amistad, a Spanish ship, Singbe managed to convince enough other slaves to revolt so they could return to Africa. The story proceeds in mesmerizing fashion.
Eventually they reach land but not where they were aiming for. The second part of the story is very true to fact. Historically grounded, the reader learns the true events that follow for the next couple of years. Fascinating reading which I highly recommend.
Written in 1997, as historical fiction. Pesci does a superlative job with the story of Singbe aka Joseph Cinque, an African from Sierra Leone who was kidnapped, transported to Cuba in 1839 and then sold along with others to corrupt slavers who planned to sell them in the USA where African slaves were no longer allowed to enter. Placed on the Amistad, a Spanish ship, Singbe managed to convince enough other slaves to revolt so they could return to Africa. The story proceeds in mesmerizing fashion.
Eventually they reach land but not where they were aiming for. The second part of the story is very true to fact. Historically grounded, the reader learns the true events that follow for the next couple of years. Fascinating reading which I highly recommend.
September 1, 2022
Das erste Romandrittel, das die Versklavung des Mende namens Singbe aufgreift, wirkt etwas holprig. Ich hätte mir gewünscht, dass hier die afrikanischen Figuren mit mehr Tiefe beschrieben worden wären, dennoch gibt es erschütternde und packende Szenen in diesem Buchabschnitt. Die letzten zwei Drittel beschäftigen sich intensiv mit dem sich anschließenden Gerichtsprozess, der viel lebendiger und packender erzählt wird als es Steven Spielberg in seiner gleichnamigen Filmadaption getan hatte. Der Autor David Pesci scheint sich mit seinem Roman näher an den historischen Tatsachen zu bewegen und verweist am Ende auch auf die verwendeten Quellen und gibt weitere Auskünfte über die realen Personen, die in seinem Werk Verwendung fanden. Fazit: Da sich die Erzählqualität im Verlaufe des Buches deutlich steigert, empfehlenswerte Lektüre – besser und packender als die Verfilmung.
November 12, 2018
This is a captivating historical novel, efficiently researched and written by David Pesci. Singbe and many other Africans had been kidnapped from their native land, made to board a ship, and were held captive. After they had entered another ship, the Amistad, they rose up against their masters. Later, they were captured and ended up in the United States where they underwent a lengthy trial, with the help of an excellent defense. I won't spoil the rest except to say this was an excellent look into our history.
September 27, 2018
Good historical fiction/non-fiction. I actually preferred the parts that read more like non-fiction (direct quotes from the legal proceedings, etc.). Based on true events, but with some creative license around dialogue and composite characters. A short, worthy read.
September 4, 2019
I have read many books on the trans-Atlantic slave trading and it's brutalities but none of them bares it all like Amistad.
I've never read about America's involvement in the abolitionist movement not to talk of them returning the Mendes to their homes.
I've never read about America's involvement in the abolitionist movement not to talk of them returning the Mendes to their homes.
November 29, 2020
What made me buy the book - it was on discount
What I liked about the book - the pace, and the dramatization
Who will I recommend the book to - someone without a weak heart
What did the book teach me - the lengths someone can go for freedom
#OBAAT One Book At A Time
What I liked about the book - the pace, and the dramatization
Who will I recommend the book to - someone without a weak heart
What did the book teach me - the lengths someone can go for freedom
#OBAAT One Book At A Time
September 13, 2017
Very interesting.
September 29, 2017
This is a look at history, not historical but pretty close and readers can image this being a true story.
January 31, 2018
I book this book from a library sale last year. I finally got around to finishing it today. This book was pretty good to be fiction. I am going to find & read the true story of this incident.
December 13, 2018
Incredible true story about a ship taken over and the shennanigans of the greedy slavers. Masterly!!!
November 21, 2019
Very VERY good historical fiction. It'll make you smile and cry. It'll make you angry and it'll make you proud of some historical figures and hate others even more.
July 15, 2021
An enthralling historical fiction book based on actual events in history. Powerful and inspiring; highly recommended
January 18, 2023
This is an urgent story that deserved only the finest writing. If it were a less important topic I would probably have allotted 2 stars.
March 2, 2017
Amistad takes place in 1839 where a group of slaves revolt in a ship called the Amistad. In Spanish it means friendship. The author uses detail and sources of the Amistad case that was settled in the Supreme Court of the United States. This case ensured if the slaves should be returned home or handed to Spanish authorities.
July 20, 2016
This is one of those books that make me glad that I participate in my local library’s book group! I would never have gone out of my way to read this book and I surprisingly enjoyed it. I’ve done like I did with
Dances with Wolves
and broken down this post into the book and movie sections. I don’t think I will add a book group recap unless something really bad happens like with Dances with Wolves.
The Book
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised anymore that I’m enjoying the books selected for book group. They’ve broadened my reading and helped me to branch out, not just because of the styles and subjects I never would’ve read, but because the film adaptations are older and they are really interesting!
Click here to continue reading on my blog The Oddness of Moving Things.
The Book
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised anymore that I’m enjoying the books selected for book group. They’ve broadened my reading and helped me to branch out, not just because of the styles and subjects I never would’ve read, but because the film adaptations are older and they are really interesting!
Click here to continue reading on my blog The Oddness of Moving Things.
February 3, 2011
Historical fiction regarding the slave mutiny on the Amistad. I'd never heard of this. Africans being transported to Cuba to be sold into slavery manage to take over the ship and kill most of the crew transporting them. One slave trader knew how to sail the ship so the Africans put him on night duty. The slave trader tricked them and wound up getting the ship to America. There the slaves were put in jail and had to fight in court for their freedom. A treaty that had been signed between England, America, Spain and other countires made it illegal to transport free men to be sold into slavery. Only people born in slavery or having been slaves prior to the treaty could be sold. The Africans won in court and made it home again.
December 14, 2009
The Amistad is a dramatic fictional take around the historical facts of the actual case. The Amistad case did happen, but some characters and newspaper accounts and stories were made up. Joseph Cinque' and his crew of men and women were taken into custody by the USA due to being found on the waters by the US Navy. This story created extreme controversy in the 1830's relating to slavery, racism, injustice, foreign, and domestic opposition. The story is beautifully told by David Pesci, who recounts the tale of the Amistad case and the facts about the brave Africans.
July 13, 2012
This was a novel about the Amistad slave ship and court case. Most of it read like non-fiction, on the dry side. The first half was about the Africans' journey to Cuba, then being put on the Amistad, rebelling, and trying to set out for Africa then winding up of the coast of New York, instead. The second half was about the legal battle in the US court system. I enjoyed the legal wrangling quite a bit.
February 13, 2013
Read this for African Book Group and then saw movie. I wasn't that impressed with Pesci's narrative skills. I didn't think the characters came alive. I wish he had written this as narrative non-fiction instead of a novel. He obviously did a lot of research, but I was always wondering what was factual and what was fiction. Still it's a great story, to me it just wasn't as gripping in the telling as I felt it should be. Still glad I read it.
February 28, 2008
This book is very endearing and shows how if you have a goal, if you live long enough it can be achieved. The leader of the group would have probably tried to get back home again even if they had sent him and the others back to S. America. This book is very educational and I learned a lot. Very inspirational.
September 1, 2015
this book makes me so mad but it is very historical. she shines light on how Hispanics had a deep role in the African slave trading and so does the movie. they were just as nasty as whites, native americans, Africans. I think they were a little worse. but this is the only one I read and this the only one I own.
October 9, 2011
Wow! For all your AAES teachers out there, I high suggest you read this book. It was so interesting to read all the events surrounding Amistad. I know you can watch the movie, but I really liked the book.
I am going to put it in my office if anyone wants to borrow.
I am going to put it in my office if anyone wants to borrow.
January 4, 2015
I thought that this book brought to light a different side to slavery that was unknown to me. Singbe's determination to get justice for the wrong done against him and the other men is admiring. One thing that I did not like about this book is how long the plot took to unfold.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2008
I like books based on real historical events. This one had a trial to prove that the slaves were property.
February 3, 2009
Fabulous book. It was published many years ago and I finally got around to reading it. It's historical fiction and covers and interested piece of important history.
March 9, 2009
Very good non-fiction!! Rear that read non-fiction.
April 11, 2010
Meh. Interesting story, but...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews