The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African: Written by Himself [Hardcover]

Wilfred D. Samuels (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0685575470 | ISBN-13: 978-0685575475 | Publication Date: December 1988

This narrative tells of the 18th-century author's early life in Ibo country, his days as a slave in Southern America and of his later travels.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Equiano was born in 1745 in a Nigerian village, was captured by slave traders at the age of ten, and worked as a slave in the West Indies. By the age of 21 he had purchased his freedom and became an activist and traveller. His remarkable accounts, edited by Edwards, provides a fine set of "you are there" tales, literary and well-done. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Titles of related interest also from Waveland Press: Beti (trans. Moore), The Poor Christ of Bomba (ISBN 9781577664185) and Emecheta, Kehinde (ISBN 9781577664192). --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Mnemosyne Pub Co (December 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0685575470
• ISBN-13: 978-0685575475
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.8 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,017,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone interested in the horror of slavery, December 5, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Sharpsville, Pa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Equiano's Travels (African Writers: Classics in Context) (Paperback)

An amazing story of an amazing man. Olaudah Equiano tells the story of his life with such clarity and recollection it is hard to put this book down. A slave, who at the age of 7, was kidnapped from his village in Africa and subsequently enslaved for 11 years until which time he could buy his freedom. His life was filled with both horror and wonder. He witnessed great events and horrific injustices. He tells these tales with clarity and an unusual objectiveness. A boy, who at age 7, did not read or write or even know of the white man. Olaudah grew to learn and have great command of the language in which he would retell his tales. This is not only an impressive work, it is more so coming from a former slave. It is a must read for everyone interested in the struggle for life that these people endured for over two centuries.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History of the others, December 28, 2005

By 

Newton Ooi (Phoenix, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Equiano's Travels The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa the African (Paperback)

The African slave trade is one of the great stains of human history. Much has been written about it by European - white authors, though unfortunately, there are very few recollections of the slave trade by actual slaves. This book is one of those works. The author, Olaudah Equiano, was born in Nigeria and captured as a child and sold of to slavery in the New World. He eventually accummulated enough money to free and educate himself, and make his way thru the world as a free man. This book is his story, told by himself. He retells his kidnapping, his trip from Africa to N. America, his service to different masters, how he bought his own freedom, and then his life as a free man. He retells both the punishments he endured, the work he had to do, and the opportunities denied to him while he was a slave. Overall, a good book to read about the life of a slave.

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading, March 17, 2011

By 

byebye - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Equiano's Travels: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa the African (Paperback)

Recommended for a real understanding of the slavery market.
Written by a slave, edited by several different authors, to update readability.
The book I have was edited by Paul Edwards, and I recommend it.