Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

“Twelve Years a Slave” is a memoir written by Solomon Northup, a free African American man who was born in New York. The book was published in 1853 and provides a harrowing and firsthand account of Northup’s kidnapping and enslavement in the American South.

Solomon Northup’s story begins when he is tricked, drugged, and abducted in Washington, D.C. He awakens to find himself enslaved on a Louisiana plantation, where he spent twelve years enduring the brutality and inhumanity of the institution of slavery. During this time, he faced harsh physical labor, witnessed cruelty and suffering, and lived under the constant fear of being separated from his family.

“Twelve Years a Slave” is a powerful and significant narrative that not only recounts Northup’s personal ordeal but also provides a window into the horrors of American slavery in the 19th century. The book played a significant role in the abolitionist movement and is a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of those who endured the horrors of slavery. Solomon Northup’s memoir is a valuable historical document and a testament to the enduring human spirit.