Once Upon a Slave: 28 Powerful Memoirs of Former Slaves & 100+ Recorded Testimonies in One Edition

Once Upon a Slave: 28 Powerful Memoirs of Former Slaves & 100+ Recorded Testimonies in One Edition

by Josiah HensonJacob D. Green Olaudah Equiano and others
Epub (Kobo), Epub (Adobe)
Publication Date: 16/10/2017

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'Once Upon a Slave' is a monumental anthology that captures a broad spectrum of narratives from formerly enslaved individuals, presented through a tapestry of memoirs and testimonies. This collection spans a diverse set of literary styles, from searing autobiographical accounts to deeply researched historical narratives. Each piece, meticulously edited to preserve the voice and truth of its narrator, lays bare the unfathomable hardships and resilient spirits of those who lived through slavery. Highlighting the gruesome yet inspiring stories of figures like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs, the anthology not only narrates personal histories but reveals the wide-reaching impact of slavery on individual lives across different regions and times. The contributing authors and editors, many of whom were activists and leaders within the abolitionist movement, bring a profound depth of experience and perspective to the collection. Noteworthy contributors such as Ida B. Wells-Barnett and Booker T. Washington enrich the anthology with their intricate understanding of race relations and social justice. The compilation aligns with and contributes to the broader literary and historical discourse on slavery, offering a composite lens through which to view the era's brutal realities and the indomitable human spirit. 'Once Upon a Slave' is an essential read for anyone interested in the rich yet harrowing tapestry of slave narratives. The anthology provides an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the past through a chorus of voices, each echoing unique experiences and collective yearnings for freedom and dignity. By plunging into this comprehensive collection, readers will gain a nuanced understanding of slavery and its lasting legacy, making it an invaluable resource for educators, historians, and anyone committed to the pursuit of truth and understanding diverse human conditions.

ISBN:
9788027225507
9788027225507
Category:
Anthologies (non-poetry)
Format:
Epub (Kobo), Epub (Adobe)
Publication Date:
16-10-2017
Language:
English
Publisher:
Musaicum Books
Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith, a veteran of over a thousand armed operations during his twenty-two years with the Metropolitan Police specialist firearms command, was born in south London in 1960. He joined the Met at nineteen and after twelve years in uniform passed selection for PT17, the Mets firearms unit, where he was selected to work on the specialist firearms teams, experiencing first-hand the explosive and controversial world of police firearms operations.

Solomon Northup

Solomon Northup was born a free man in Saratoga Springs, New York, in 1808. He lived as such until 1841 when, attracted by a job offer, he travelled to Washington, DC, where he was drugged and sold into slavery by his supposed employers.

Northup was enslaved for twelve years before he regained his freedom and returned to New York. There, he became an advocate for abolitionism and in the 1860s began helping fugitive slaves via the Underground Railroad.

Northup is believed to have died between 1863 and 1875, but both the date and circumstances of his death are unknown.

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in Maryland, 1818. He was separated from his mother as a baby and lived with his grandmother up to the age of eight, when he was sent to live as a house servant, a field hand and then a ship caulker. He escaped to New York in 1838 and seven years later published Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an autobiography of his life as a slave, which became an instant bestseller.

Douglass rose to fame as a powerful orator and spent the rest of his life campaigning for equality. He became a national leader of the abolitionist movement, a consultant to Abraham Lincoln in the civil rights movement and a passionate supporter of the women’s rights movement. He died in 1895.

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth (c.1797 - 1883) was born into slavery in New York State. In 1826, she escaped with her young daughter, leaving two of her other children behind. When her son was later illegally sold to a slave owner in Alabama she sued for his return, becoming one of the first black women to successfully challenge a white man in an American court. She spent the rest of her life campaigning for abolition, equal rights and universal suffrage, and found fame as a reformer and public speaker. Her memoir, The Narrative of Sojourner Truth, is published in Penguin Classics.

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