Donna E. (impossible) reviewed Twelve Years a Slave (Library of Southern Civilization) on + 3352 more book reviews
An important book to read. Fully annotated to back up the facts in this account. You need to lay aside the tendency to think you would do better, face the fact that even a modern person could be beaten in submission and read this account for the truths it can tell us not only about slavery at its worst but also how a free person can lose his freedom overnight.
Jan T. (jantalk) reviewed Twelve Years a Slave (Library of Southern Civilization) on + 36 more book reviews
Surprisingly good book. When I saw all the footnotes, appendixes, etc. I was afraid that it may be too much like a textbook, but it wasn't. This account of Mr. Northup's life from freeman to slave and back to freeman was very interesting. It was a straight forward account depicting his slave owners as the people they were - good and bad- and of his life for those 12 years.
Good story, very historical, footnotes were very valuable.
Brenda R. (nurse) reviewed Twelve Years a Slave (Library of Southern Civilization) on + 221 more book reviews
An excellent account of a slave's life in Louisianna.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Twelve Years a Slave (Library of Southern Civilization) on + 1453 more book reviews
This is a heart wrenching but accurate story by a free man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. His tale is amazingly accurate with records validating the details. Solomon Northrup becomes known as the slave, Platt, and like many others suffers demeaning treatment and cruel whippings at the plantation owned by Epps. Epps is unpredictable and unbearably cruel during his alcoholic rages. Solomon Northrup does not divulge his background to any individual after the first time because he was beaten badly. The dangers of speaking out were dramatically emphasized by this experience. Finally, after many years a man appears at the plantation who abhors slavery. Solomon finally shares his story with this man who writes numerous letters to help him. It is interesting that even when freed his freedom is questioned time after time until he reaches his home and family in New York. Solomon was the son of a free man born and raised in New York who suffered for years because he was too trusting and naive. This is a read that reveals how slavery affected southerners, both whites and black alike. I recommend this read to anyone interested in our nation's development. Well written and thought provoking.
