Customer Reviews

Amos Fortune: Free Man

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Amos Fortune, Free Man" succeeds on many levels. It is an accurate piece of historical fiction, dramatizing the events and people that filled the early days of colonial America. It is compassionate in its approach to the irony and hypocrisy of the times. It is a fitting tribute to all slaves who endured unspeakable hardships from slave to free man.

The author begins the story with Amos's life, as Prince At-mun, in the wilds of Africa. The subjugation into slavery and the trip along the Middle Passage is told with accuracy and strength.

As an African-American, I was moved by the enduring qualities exhibited by this man, his unwavering desire to be free, his longing to help others, and his pride in himself.

All the characters in the book are representative of the citizens of the day. The book is noticeably free of the vilest of the slave owners, but the thought of forced servitude by one man on the other is horrible enough.

Descriptive writing of the setting makes the reader feel that he or she is in the hold of the great slave ship, is walking along the busy port cities of New England, and is enjoying the majestic beauty of New Hampshire's mountains.

Amos Fortune never really resigns himself to the fact that he is a slave. This constant vigilance for self-rule is the abiding theme throughout. A strong sense of independence is presented in the man's words and deeds.

The novel provides the reader with a realistic view of how things really were. By also including the language used in documents of the period, the author contrasts the brevity of modern tongue with the wordiness of colonial times. This enhances the authenticity of the text.

The book is a triumph of man over adversity. It is a worthwhile addition to any child's literary background.

This 1951 Newbery winner is a biography, so there is no need to critique the plot or character development. The book reads easily, being the reconstructed life of a proud African youth who was captured at the age of 15 in 1725--reminding us of Haley's Kunta Kinte. Amos never forgot that he was the first son of chief, nor that he must protect and inspire his crippled younger sister (who would assume the role of leader of her village). Indeed, for years he haunted the New England docks seeking her; all his life he exhibited a tenderness and compassion for crippled women and children. Despite the horrors of captivity, the cramped voyage in chains, and being considered the legal property of different masters, Amos never lost his dream of directing his own destiny or his sense of personal dignity.

The ten chapters are chronological, thus of varying length, depending on the amount of material during a specific period of his life. The author skillfully recreates Colonial and then American cultures, drawing the reader into the heart and mind of thiis noble African, who lived to be 80. He truly was Fortunate not to have been unloaded and auctioned off in the South, where he would have suffered excruciatingly in the plantation fields. His goal was to live as a free man; then to help other blacks enjoy the same privilege, even if only to die in freedom. He accomplished his private purposes several times, but at great personal cost. Amos set an example of honesty and Christian responsibility, leaving a legacy of peace and a foundation of interracial cooperation. He did what he could to improve the life for all people in his New Hampshire community. Recommended for elementary and middle school students of Black and Colonial history.

Amos Fortune,named At-mun at first, is prince of the At-mun-shi people in Africa. Right before the time of the planting of corn, At-mun and others in his tribe are captured and taken to America as slaves. Amos, now living in Massachusetts, learns to live among white men and eventually gains his freedom. While in Massachusetts, Amos looks at the port for his little sister, Ath-mun. She was left behind in Africa when Amos was taken, but Amos searched to see if she had been brought to America since then, and maybe would come off of a ship at the port some time. Because of Amos' wanting Ath-mun to be cared for, he dedicated himself to helpless people. He helped many people in his lifetime.
Amos' last name, Fortune, was given to him by other slaves who saw how fortunate he was. Both of his masters were good to him. He was taught a good trade as a tanner and became very good at it. He was able to earn freedom for himself and his family.
This story is very good, but it isn't as adventurous as I like books to be. I don't think it really hooked me as much as I wish it would have. I think a lot of people will really like this book; it just isn't MY idea of a great book.

I brought this book for my 9 year old who is quite good at reading. I wanted her to learn some history of the slaving times from a different perspective. Amos Fortune is a true story and shows the indominable Christian spirit of this man, and the people who assist him in his life. I read it before I gave it to my daughter and couldn't put it down. It's a fairly short chapter oriented book, a two hour read for most adults. Contains some hard words and some historical events that may need to be explained (but are not overwhelming or offensive) to younger kids.

Amos Fortune-Free Man is an inspiring semi-true story of a young african prince named At-mun, who at age 15 is captured from his african village, and crosses through the brutal middle passage. In Boston he is sold to a quaker man named Caleb Copeland, who names him Amos. He learns to read, write, and learns to weave and tan. His freinds nickname him Amos Fortune. Indeed he is more fortunate than many slaves of the day. Instead of doing the backbreaking field labor, he would have done had he been sold to a southern plantation, he finds himself doing more managable work, in the New England states.
In addition his masters are more kind than most. At around the age of sixty he bought his own freedom, and eventually the freedom of 3 others. In 1779 he moved to the New Hampshire town of Jaffrey, where he established himself as a sucsessful tanner, and died peacefully at the age of 91. I first read this book 3 years ago, and it is among my favorites. I think it should be required reading for every school (and thats saying alot coming from me). Amos Fortune/At-Mun was a truely amazing man, who tried to sucseed and adapt in american/american colonial society, while never forgetting his african heritage. Some of the words and events may be diffucult for unskilled readers,but in all I think it is one of the best books of all time.

As an African- American living in New Hampshire, I was particularly proud of Amos Fortunes' achievements, as he made Jaffrey, NH his home. Amos Fortune's story of pride and determination, in the face of tremendous oppression, is a triumphant tale for all ages, and inspires readers to seek the best within themselves and others.

Amos Fortune Free Man is one of the best books I have ever read. Amos Fortune is a biography,So he really lived. I personally love to read biographies whether it's sports or history. Amos was from an African tribe, but slave traders came over to Africa. Amos even though he lives in a different country is trying to save his people. This book can make you wonder why something happened or did not happen. This book was so good that I had to read it for an second time. All the biography lovers out there need to read this book. Also this book can get a little boring sometimes, but it's still a good book!If I get another chance to read this book I definitely will.

Last week I read this book. It was really good about a guy who was auctioned to be a slave, although the family who bought was nice to him. He learned to do alot of things at the house (ex. read speak english, tan leather). When he was around 60 years old, he was able to buy his freedom and a couple of other people's also. Finally he settled in at Jaffrey, NH and made a living as a tanner. Theis book is a great book for anyone. It took me only two days to read and that's saying something!

This book is required reading for American Academy Middle School students, but is recommended for people, ages 12 and up, who are trying to understand early American life and the subject of slavery, particularly in the northern states.

"Amos Fortune" is a true story about a young African prince torn from his family, people, and homeland. He undergoes a process of dehumanization, including a horrific slave-ship sea crossing, before being sold as a slave into first one and then another Massachusetts family; so we see two complete portraits of slave life. After a while, he buys his own and his wife's freedom and travels to picturesque New Hampshire where he builds a homestead and a legacy for himself. In so doing perhaps he plants seeds that help bring an end to that "peculiar institution," slavery.

Beautifully told by Ms. Yates, we see Amos learn to read and become a faithful Christian. His childlike dream to buy his sister's freedom grows into a mature buying of the freedom of women he loves. He masters the tanning trade, which we learn about. We experience his strong and majestic character in overlooking a benighted age's slights and building his own freehold homestead, near "his" mountain, in this free country he loves. Amos Fortune is an outstanding man worthy of imitation. His story will never die or grow old.

All American young people should read this book. It, along with: "April Morning," by Howard Fast; "A Light in the Forest," by Conrad Richter; "First Lady of Faith and Courage: Abigail Adams," by Evelyn Witter; and "The Autobiography," by Benjamin Franklin; paint a multifaceted view of the particular pains, prejudices and daily life in northern colonial America from the perspective of, respectively, black citizens, traditional revolutionary families, American Indians, women, and a particular famous artisan-scientist-inventor-statesman whose life spanned and intertwined itself with the century of America's birth.

For a good portion of 2002 I have been reading through the Newbery Medal and Honor books. Almost all of those that I have read have been very good, excellent, even outstanding. But Amos Fortune is the cream of the crop! And it's a true story. Elizabeth Yates does a marvelous job of telling the story of Amos, a slave who eventually buys his freedom, as well as freedom for several other slaves. Amos was an amazing man. His courage, determination, and integrity inspired me. I have read hundreds if not thousands of biographies and autobiographies in my life, and Amos Fortune is at the top of my list. Find this book. Read it. Share it with a friend. It may not be for everyone, but it was for me!