12 Years a Slave

The harrowing journey of Solomon Northup, a free man kidnapped into slavery, unfolds as he details his 12 years of brutal experiences in Louisiana. His narrative captures the daily realities of enslaved individuals, including their living conditions, diets, and the oppressive dynamics between masters and slaves. Northup's resilience is highlighted through his survival of diseases, punishments, and near-death experiences. Published in 1853, his account became a pivotal piece in the national discourse on slavery, contributing to the tensions leading up to the Civil War.