Customer Reviews

Prince among Slaves: The True Story of an African Prince Sold Into Slavery in the American South

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According to the reviews on the back cover, Alford's book "vividly re-creates a life as dramatic as a work of fiction...events...almost defy belief." I'd tend to agree. This remarkably detailed book narrates the life of Ibrahima, a Fulani prince captured at the age of 26 and enslaved in the USA for 40 years, during which he lost neither his Muslim faith nor his dignity- both of which finally led to his freedom. The details surrounding those events are incredible and sometimes even mystical. Perhaps the most striking aspect of this book was its contrast of the literate, cosmopolitan culture of Futa Jalon, Ibrahima's homeland, and the illiterate, racist, and often homicidal nature of the whites of Natchez.

Terry Alford is a very brilliant man for his insights and facts to uncover Abd Rahman Ibrahima's life. If written without strong and factual information an attempt to publish an account of his life would be useless. The author did Ibrahima great justice in taking note that it would be very important in making this man's place in history known. In the book the author overwhealms the reader with facts that cast away any doubts the reader may have about the authenticity of this book. Alford deserves highest regards for having the patience and faith to document the life of such an extraordinary person.

This is a valuable work that should be read to discover the life of a Muslim during the time of slavery since most slave narratives do not mention Islam even when 10 to 15 percent of slaves here were of Muslim origin.

By the way, Karim Abdul Jabbar became Muslim at the hands of Khalifah Hamaas Abdul Khaalis, founder of the D.C. based Hanafi Madh-hab, around 1970. The venerable Sufi and Black Muslim leader wrote the work "Look and See" that will soon be released on Magribine Press. If someone makes claims that a work made someone become Muslims, or some other such claim, they should give references.

This is an extraordinary true story of a Black Muslim captured and sold into slavery in 1788 in Africa. He was the 26 year old son of a tribal king, married, with a young son. In addition to his native language, Pular, he read and wrote Arabic as well as other African languges. He was sold to a plantation owner near Natchez, which was part of Spanish territory in that time. After 40 years of slavery he gained his freedom and was able to return to Africa, where he lived briefly until his death.

The book is exceptionally well resesearched and told with sensitivity. It demonstrates the triumph of the human spirit in times of great depravation.

This is the book that convinced a young impressionable Lew Alcindor to embrace Islam and change his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. A good read that would make a better motion picture.