Customer Reviews

Twelve Years a Slave (African American)

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Solomon Northup's slave narrative follows in the line of scores of other enlightening first-hand accounts of African American enslavement. What makes Northrup's account so unique is the fact that he was free when kidnapped and enslaved.

His harrowing description of his kidnapping in Washington, D. C., and of his fellow kidnappees, will melt the hardest heart. Yet, his interactions with other abducted African Americans also portrays the beauty and power of shared sorrow.

Another fascinating distinction found in "Twelve Years a Slave" is Northrup's almost uncanny ability to fairly depict his slave owners. In some cases, he ruthlessly exposes the one-dimensional ruthlessness of cruel masters. Yet, in one case, with his owner Pastor Ford (yes, Pastor), he calls Ford one of the most godly, caring, Christians he has ever known. He describes the biblical preaching and personal ministry that Ford provided to him. It is difficult for us today to see how the hypocrisy of a slave-owning Pastor could occur. But for Northrup, an intelligent, educated, articulate man, who could be blistering in his verbal attack on slavers, Ford was not a one-dimensional man. He was flawed, yet could still display admirable attributes.

"Twelve Years a Slave" is perhaps the most important first-hand account of enslavement ever written. The end of the story, which I will not ruin, must be read. Of course, with riveting writing like this, only the rare reader would dare stop before the end of the journey.

Reviwer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.

A compelling and wrenchingly honest first-hand account of slavery, many
times breaking my heart and making me think of the children of Africa
today. A new book, "The Last Witness From a Dirt Road" which takes
place in 1946, was given to me after commenting about Solomon Northup's
narrative, and it could almost be a sequel to Twelve Years a Slave,
written a 100 years later by the son of an overseer on a plantation
along the banks of Bayou Bouef in the same location in Louisiana. Old
social and economic orders seemed little changed from 1841 to 1946,
tragic, heart rendering but both books are riveting and honest, are
timely and universal.

I was concerned before I started reading this that something written like this over a hundred fify years ago was going to be a little plodding to get through, particularly since I've never been a real history buff. However, the opposite was true. Whether you have any real historical interest in slavery or that time - this is a genuine page-turning tale of a survivor. It was written with the help of a ghost writer and it's well-crafted.

After reading this, I read other slave narratives. (TIP: Pretty much all of them, including this one, are available free of charge online at Google books or via Project Gutenberg). But, I have to say this is the one that truly stood out for me, not only because, for me, it rang with the greatest sincerity and offered the broadest and yet most balanced range of perspectives on the slavery experience, but because it is out and out just better written and more engaging than the rest.

I've read this was a bestseller of the time. It's still worthy of being one now.

BOTTOM LINE: Highly recommended as a riveting and page-turning true tale of one man's fight for survival and freedom, that also serves up an eye-opening, insightful look into a slice of American History.

Until I read Solomon Northup's riveting first hand account of his life as a slave, I had only imagined the degredation and cruelty with absolute and total submission by those who had no choices, no chances for liberty. Early in my own life in the 1930s, as a young boy and son of a sugar plantation overseer along the banks of Bayou Bouef in Louisiana, the exact same location as Solomon's narrative, I recognized the lingering stains of an enslaved society, in my friends...the field hands who lived in the Quarters. As a white kid, I had chances and choices, however choices based on the social and economic order that existed in my life and where I lived, which in reality, cast their net over my life, too. I've written my own narrative...my book "The Last Witness From a Dirt Road" which after reading Twelve Years a Slave, I see that my narrative could almost stand as a sequel to Solomon's book, but written a hundred and fifty years later. My heart is still broken for all the souls whose lives were so badly tormented and taken by a vile system devised and placed on humankind. The lesson: We must be diligent and precise in our approach to anyone whose ideology in religion and politics, teaches or wishes, to take away or diminish the freedom of man. I'm grateful for the courage and power of Solomon Northup.

Solomon Northup was an educated literate man who worked in New York and was brutally kidnapped and sold into slavery in Louisiana. His autobiography was very detailed with skillfully painted pictures of the people and situations he encountered until at last he was freed. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Solomon Northup was also mentioned in the newly released children's historical novel, The Journal of Darien Dexter Duff, an Emancipated Slave that also takes place in Louisiana.

While browsing thru the Boston Public Library in 1970 I accidentally came across this book. I have read it at least ten times over the years, have kept in touch with the editor, Sue Eakin, an expert on the South and cultural matters of this kind. This book is an inspiration to everyone. You will be amazed at the tenacity and sheer courage of Northup as he makes his way thru 12 long years on the plantation, and remember that he did not KNOW it would be 12 years. Every Jan 3 or 4th I wake up and think to myself, this is the day Solomon was set free! This book is clearly a treasure that is relatively unknown. You will not read this book only once-----

This book was a magnificent memoir of some of the bleakest times of our history. This shocking tale is gruesome without being vulgar; gripping without being sentimental. The distorted thinking and values that allowed slavery to continue were intelligently portrayed. It is interesting how people, when they violate their own sensibilities and basic moral principals, become defensive, fearful, and violent. Such is this study of the slave holder as well as the enslaved. Mr. Northrup, from an emancipated family fell into the traps of kidnapping and enslavement. His education and connections allowed him to finally regain the life he had lost. As the story is recalled, the narrative reflected intelligence and sophistication, even if the prose was antiquated. Its style and relevance, however, make a great vocabulary builder and, in my opinion, should be required reading of every student in this country.

I, like another reviewer, read this about 8 years ago when in a college Civil War course. I never sold mine back because I knew I would want to read it again. I also immediately bought copies for my mom and a friend that is a descendant of Caribbean slaves. I can't believe this book isn't more widely known; in fact, it saddens me because Solomon Northup's story is so riveting and deserves recognition.

I was glued to the story from about the third chapter to the end. It was almost like a thriller or mystery because you want to know what happens! Much of it was heartbreaking, though. I had tears streaming down my face when he describes Patsey's predicament. The unending hope and love from his family really touched me, too.

I think this account is even better than Uncle Tom's Cabin for 2 reasons. First, the plot is not as disjointed. Second, and most importantly, everything in the account is true. What's even more amazing is that the author, despite being stolen from his family and forced into servitude, remains somewhat objective about his ordeal. He is a natural storyteller. You can tell Northup was extremely intelligent and observant. His prose is beautiful and easy to read despite being written in the 1850's.

Anyone with even a remote interest in American slavery or Antebellum/Civil War history should read this book.

The extraordinary memoir of an exceptional man in a pivotal time in American history. This exciting and well documented story is insightful and painful and ultimately triumphant. Slavery is a subject that many people are reluctant to explore but this book may just change your mind. You will have great respect for the man Solomon Northup. He embodied the best characteristics of being human.

So few slaves could read or write. Solomon Northrop could do both and wrote of his experiences. This book is a gem and outstanding slave narrative! It was one of my first kindle purchases. (It was free at the time I bought it.) I couldn't put it down. I recommended it to my wife and college aged children. They loved it. It is an awesome story. And I learned this past 2011 Thanksgiving weekend that the movie is now in production and will come to the silver screen in 2014. It is to be directed by Steve McQueen (no relation to the actor) and will star Brad Pitt. Purchase the book before it is advertised and republished for the movie edition!