Narrative of Sojourner Truth (Dover Thrift Editions) [Paperback]

Sojourner Truth (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up | Series: Dover Thrift Editions

This inspiring memoir, first published in 1850, recounts the struggles of a distinguished African-American abolitionist and champion of women's rights. Sojourner Truth tells of her life in slavery, her self-liberation, and her travels across America in pursuit of racial and sexual equality. Essential reading for students of American history.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Truth's narrative is a powerful rendering of bondage, denial, and loss transcended by genius, family, and a spiritual base. It juxtaposes spirituality with moral turpitude. Truth was a freethinker who lived within a family of wretched circumstances in New York's Ulster County; she was a wife whose runaway husband had been beated into submission; a mother who reclaimed her only son from a brutal Georgia slaver; a person of principles who was duped by slavers and false prophets; and, finally, at 46, an orator, abolitionist, and member of the Northampton utopian community. As a companion to Truth's narrative, Washington presents a cogent, well-crafted introduction full of historical information that sketches a framework for understanding slavery as it was practiced in the Northeast. This slender book belongs in all literature and history collections.
- Veronica Mitchell, New York City Board of Education
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

"The time is long overdue for a compelling look at the legendary Sojourner Truth. Margaret Washington deserves our gratitude for reclaiming Truth and shedding light on the most enigmatic black woman of the 19th century."

-- Darlene Clark Hine, Professor of History, Michigan State University --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Unabridged edition (July 7, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048629899X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486298993
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Specific Groups > Women
  • #18 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical > General
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Important reading for everyone, October 19, 1999

By 

George Schaefer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Narrative of Sojourner Truth (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

Some people look on accounts of slavery as being only for black Americans to read. This is untrue. The horror and evil of slavery is something that every American should confront. This is not to hang or condemn anyone. Its just to say that a book like The Narrative of Sojourner Truth is something that everyone should read. I was at times stunned by Sojourner Truths startling courage in the face of the evil she faced. It was also enlightening to read about the slavery of the Northern states like New York and that so many people in that region still spoke Dutch even well into the 19th Century. I was infuriated reading about the treatment of the slaves but I also was inspired by Sojourner Truths dignity and strength. Much like the Nazi holocaust, slavery is a horror that must never be allowed to happen again. If everyone read books like this, we would be one step closer to making that a reality.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars history hurts but is needed to know, August 19, 2006

By 

Nora Ann Thompson "creating nora" (poughkeepsie, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Narrative of Sojourner Truth (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

I can never tire of learning the depts of suffering black woman had to endure. It gives me even more pride for my people and much hope for a better tomorrow.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, August 29, 2006

By 

Alyssa A. Lappen (Earth) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Narrative of Sojourner Truth (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

In a world that still suffers from the blight of slavery, mainly in Islamic nations and northern Africa, and Sudan, but also through the sex trade in nations like Thailand, this book is a great nonfiction account, especially for grade and middle schoolers, but also for all who think slavery is a thing of the past.