Perhaps the best written of all the slave narratives, twelve years a slave is a harrowing memoir about one of the darkest periods in american history. Twelve years a s lave by solomon northup is a memoir of a black man who was born free in new york state but kidnapped, sold into slavery and kept in bondage for 12 years in louisiana before the american civil war. Public domain books are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge thats often difficult to discover. Twelve years a slave pinellas public library cooperative. It recounts how solomon northup, born a free man in new york, was lured to washington, d.
The 20 film adaption of 12 years a slave has received numerous awards and nominations. Twelve years a slave was based on the memoir of solomon northup. Alternate title, 12 years a slave narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of new york, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in. Twelve years a slave, free pdf, ebook, epub global grey.
This autobiographical memoir represents an exceptionally detailed and accurate description of slave life. Alternate title, 12 years a slave narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in. Twelve years a slave san antonio public library overdrive. Narrative of solomon northup, citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river in louisiana, is a memoir by solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. The thrilling story of a free colored man, kidnapped in washington in 1841, sold into slavery, and after twelve years of bondage is reclaimed by state authority from a cotton plantation in louisiana. Twelve years a slave san bernardino public library.
Twelve years a slave, citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in the year 1841, and rescued in the year 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river in louisiana, is a real memoir by solomon northup as told to and also edited by david wilson. The extraordinary true story of a free africanamerican living in new york who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. It validated harriett beecher stowes fictional account of southern slavery in uncle toms cabin, which had become the bestselling american book in history a few years earlier, and significantly changed public. The memoir by solomon northup upon which the recent much acclaimed feature film, twelve years a slave directed by steve mcqueen, was based. Twelve years a slave ebook the seattle public library. Learn more about twelve years a slave in the boca raton public library digital collection. And twelve years a slave was published at a time when the controversy over the fugitive slave act and events such as the christiana riot were still on the minds of the public. Twelve years a slave, narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river in louisiana, by solomon northup, edited by david wilson.
Published not long after harriet beecher stowe wrote her famous novel about slavery, uncle toms cabin, northups book. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read twelve years a s lave. A moving, vital testament to one of slaverys many thousand gone who retained his humanity in the bowels of degradation. With its eloquent depiction of life before and after bondage, twelve years a s lave was a unique and effective entry into the national debate over slavery. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup free ebook. Twelve years a slave cobb county public library system.
His story came to prominence in recent years thanks to a major film, 12 years a slave, by british director steve mcqueen. After being held for twelve years on a louisiana plantation, he is eventually freed and reunited with his family. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup full unabridged audiobook read by rob board. Twelve years a s lave is the memoir of a freeborn african american from new york who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Twelve years a slave is a memoir and slave narrative by solomon northup, as told to and edited by david wilson. And john ridley, the films screenwriter, won the oscar for best adapted screenplay.
Ripped from freedom, from his family, his whole life, he is tricked into travelling to washington where he is kidnapped, awakening in a dark cell in chains. Read romeo and juliet by william shakespeare ebook, epub about shakespeare. Twelve years a slave, by solomon northupa project gutenberg. This edition includes the complete unabridged text of his firsthand narrative, as well as the original illustrations throughout. Twelve years a slave boca raton public library overdrive. Twelve years a slave tells the remarkable true story of solomon northup, a free black man who was kidnapped in washington d. Twelve years a s lave, published in 1853, was an immediate bombshell in the national debate over slavery leading up to the civil war. After regaining his freedom in 1853, northup decided to publish this gripping autobiographical account of his captivity. After being held for twelve years on a series of louisiana plantations, he is eventually freed and reunited with his family. The project gutenberg ebook of twelve years a slave, by solomon northup this.
The online edition has duplicate pages and is missing several pages e. Learn more about twelve years a slave in the jersey city free public library digital collection. Free ebooks twelve years a slave enhanced edition by dr. Northup, a black man who was born free in new york state, details his being tricked to go to washington, d. Twelve years a slave new hampshire state library overdrive. After his escape, he became an abolitionist and published his memoir, twelve years a s lave 1853. Northups memoir reveals unimaginable details, detailing the slave markets and horrors of life on a plantation. Google digitizing the worlds books seems like an excellent idea, but if the results are as poor as this, the project is pointless. Twelve years a slave floyd county public library overdrive. Overdrive rakuten overdrive borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and videos from thousands of public libraries worldwide. Twelve years a slave jersey city free public library. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup full audiobook. Twelve years a slave is the memoir of a freeborn african american from new york who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. The harrowing true story that inspired the critically acclaimed film.
Twelve years a slave by solomon northup nook book ebook. William shakespeare baptised 26 april 1564 died 23 april 1616 was an english poet and. Aside from its vivid depiction of the detention, transportation, and sale of slaves, twelve years a s lave is admired for its classic accounts of cotton and sugar production, its uncannily precise recall of people, times, and places, and the compelling details that recreate the daily routine of slaves in the gulf south. Solomon northups narrative explores one of the darkest times in american history and captures in vivid detail the unimaginable realities of slavery. Twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. First published in 1853, twelve years a s lave is the narrative of solomon northups experience as a freeman sold into slavery, having spent twelve years in bondage before finally escaping. Having no way to contact his family, and fearing for his life if he told the truth, solomon northup was sold from plantation to plantation in louisiana, toiling under cruel masters for twelve years before meeting samuel bass, a canadian who finally. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a. This autobiographical memoir represents an exceptionally detailed and accurate description of slave life and plantation society. The son of a freed slave, solomon northup lived the first thirty years of his life as a free man in. It is a slave narrative of a black man who was born free in new york state but kidnapped in washington, d. Not hopefully for our enjoyment but giving us the understanding and knowledge not to repeat and if done and. He gave many lectures in support of the abolitionist causes and aided in the underground railroad for fugitive slaves.
Rediscovered in the 1960s and now the inspiration for a major motion picture, northups poignant narrative gives readers an invaluable glimpse into a shameful chapter of american history. During this time he was frequently abused and often afraid for his life. Read twelve years a slave book online by solomon northup. Twelve years a slave kindle edition by northup, solomon. Kidnapped into slavery in 1841, northup spent 12 years in captivity. The project gutenberg ebook of twelve years a slave, by solomon northup this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Because twelve years a slave is in the public domain, i initially searched for free copies elsewhere. Twelve years a s lave ebook written by solomon northup. Ridleys screenplay was based, of course, on twelve years a s lave, the 1853 memoir by solomon northup. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river in louisiana. On sunday night, 12 years a slave was named best picture at the 86th academy awards. Twelve years a slave chattanooga public library overdrive. Twelve years a slave ebook san antonio public library.