Twelve Years a Slave

As a young man in his early 30s, this book really makes you think. While my life and Solomon’s couldn’t have been further apart, I connected with his writings through his intellect, dreams, will, and his fight. A tragic tale of the worst of humanity and the triumph and perseverance of a truly great man. In such divided times, Solomon’s perspective could teach us all how to be better and more understanding, while reminding us of the horrors of the past.

A superb narrative into slavery and written from a different view point- a former slave. The book is a classic and written in a simple narrative style. Unfortunately it will drag you into doing a lot more research to what happened to the author. A great read!

When I read a "classic" I always like to look at old newspapers to see what reviews looked like when it was first printed - one of my favorites for this one was from the "New York Independent" and copied in the "Green-Mountain Freeman" of Vermont, Sept. 1, 1853:"Let it be read by all those good easy souls who think slavery is, on the whole, a good thing. Let it be read by all who think although slavery is politically and economically a bad thing, it id not very bad for thr slaves. Let it be read by all those M. C.' and supporters who are always ready to give their votes in aid of Slavery and the slave trade with all the kidnapping inseparable from it. Let it be read, too, by our Southern friends who pity with so much christian sensibility the wretched condition of the free negroes at the north, and rejoice at the enviable condition of their own slaves."I've been meaning to read the actual book since first seeing the movie - the film actually holds very close to his account and any artistic decisions made in the film in terms of consolidation, etc., do not compromise the original story, in my opinion. Northup was a remarkable man - observant, talented, loving, and strong. This is the second slave narrative I've read (Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl was the first) - they make for very affecting reading and contemplation. I do hope t read the annotated Eakin/Logsdon version in the future. There are some thrilling parts that did not make it into the film - including his brief escape into the alligator- and snake-infested swamps of the locale in which he was held in bondage. Until you read about the treatment of abolition-minded folks in the South, you can;t appreciate the real risks that Bass took in expressing his opinion and communicating w/ the North on Solomon's behalf - it was heroic. But Solomon's struggle and maintenance of hope is even more so. The description of the beatings, exploitation, slave markets, etc., are unsparing in their detail.Highly recommended.

Most people have seen the movie based on this book, it only tells part of the story.Solomon Northup tells a gripping tale of his time in slavery. He gives an honest portrayal of highs and lows... mostly lows... after being kidnapped and forced to live as a slave after spending the start of his life as a freeman. The son of a freed slave pulls no punches as he discusses the horrors of life as a slave. But he admits that there were some owners who were quite compassionate with their slaves.The movie leaves out so much, such as how he was forced to be the proxy and whip his fellow slaves. The tales of how various slaves were killed when trying to escape. The third person narrative of the movie hides the first person experience of Solomon.The language of the time makes the book a little difficult to follow at times, but eventually you can come around.One of the more interesting aspects which is not touched on in the movie is the travel of Solomon's correspondence to his friends back in New York. For 2 years, has family didn't know why or where he'd gone, as they'd been away when he left and he expected to return before they did. When the first letter arrived, they only knew he'd been kidnapped but no idea where he was. Even 10 years later as another letter is sent, it's purely by chance that they were able to find the man who sent the letter on his behalf.Solomon could have died a slave multiple times. His intelligence and resource kept him alive. It's no life for anyone but he figured out how to survive. For so many others, it was the only life they'd ever known.

Who could ever imagine a scene of horror such as is described in this book of a free man being sold into slavery?In this personal story by Solomon Northup we get a very up front and graphic telling of just what it is like to be a free man suddenly taken and placed into slavery. To not be listened to, to be mistreated and abused, to lose personal determination, dignity and family simply because of the color of your skin. This is immensely important reading to get a feel for what it was to be a slave and to suffer in this inhumane state for 12 years. Today we just can't imagine what it is like, but in some areas of the world, similar situations still exist. That makes Northup's words even more valuable to awaken in all of us that such situations should not exist and to stand up for all human rights. We should not be 'owning' fellow human beings.

Easy to read even though it was written in 1850. From free man to slave in one day. What were these people thinking ,how could it be justified. Read this book and get a real feel of what it was like to be a slave.

This book is a raw look into to the true story of a free black man sold into the slave market. I have a whole new understanding of how the slave market was shamefully brutal and relentless in the unthinkable crimes against black human beings. This book was hard to read in the aspect of the abominable nature of slavery. I could not put it down, and I apologize to all African Americans and people of color for the actions of my ancestors. I would recommend this book to everyone. It is a must read!

Please, if you're even considering just watching the film instead of reading the book, THINK AGAIN. Seriously, saying "why read the book when I can just watch the movie" is like saying "why breathe when I'm gonna die anyway."12 Years a Slave is a very raw and powerful account of a freeman abducted into the brutality of the American slave trade for twelve long and arduous years. Ripped from freedom, from his family, his whole life, he is tricked into travelling to Washington where he is kidnapped, awakening in a dark cell in chains. His violin and its elegant voice reminding him of his liberty is the only thing that keeps him going through the darkness and despair of his years in bondage. Inspiring the famous 'Uncle Tom's Cabin, his story is as shocking as it is incredible.One of the most powerful moments is when, after one of the countless whippings he receives, he turns on his master, Tibeats, and almost beats him to death. His consequent torture and flight into the swamps for a hellish night of agony and despair is truly amazing. The tragic story of the young girl, Patsey, and the inconceivable abuse and cruelty inflicted on her was hard to read, especially the most disturbing scene of the book, when she is stripped naked, tied splayed to the ground with great stakes, and whipped almost to death. It changes her forever, damaging her young spirit deeply and ensuring her slow and painful doom.Solomon's rescue came about solely because of the kindness and tenacity of an abolitionist of the local village, Bass, who writes a letter to lawyers in New York and eventually secures his liberty. It's hard to imagine the sheer intensity of the happiness when he is reunited with his wife and children.This book should be read by all Americans, a painful account of the darkest period of US history.

I haven't finished reading the book but what I have read I find to be on the slow side

The book is rather dull. The layout isnt pleasurable and does not give motivation to read it. There is also a fair amount of grammatical errors, if I were you, I would try and get a different copy

This is a bit of a slow read, but after awhile I couldn't put it down!! For the discounted price that I purchased it for on my Kindle it was well worth it.

Lucky us to be born in a free world. An evil, which was broadly accepted back in those days without guilt provokes an introspection of the like of it in today's world. God's creatures who can't speak for themselves.