Twelve Years a Slave (ISBN 0486411435)

Very Informative:
After going to Hawaii this past summer and reading about how the sugar cane industry used slaves,I became interested in the Carib Islands and started reading about them. Slavery is such a huge issue and has been and really got it's start in the Islands,I came across this title in a read and thought it might be good.I was right, very good and informative.Descriptive and brings a lot of questions.

Twelve Years a Slave:
Solomon Northup's Twelve Years a Slave is a great read for anyone with the slightest interest in early American history. Northup's tale is intriguing and informative. Not only will the reader get a very interesting story from this work, but will also get a close look at the institution of slavery from the slaves' perspective like few other sources can. One important question Northup seems to be addressing is the reasons why slaves did not just run away. Why did they put up with such harsh treatment? Northup admits to having held these sentiments before being kidnapped and sold into slavery - but his attitude rapidly changes.

Twelve Years a Slave: An African American Heritage Book:
Have not had time to read this book yet but I have seen the movie. Very good! I am sure the book will tell me more. I was very happy to receive it and it came in a very timely manner! Thank you!

Slave Narrative:
Not the typical slave narrative. This book was assigned for a class. I expected it to be much like the autobiography of Frederick Douglass, but Solomon Nortrup's experiences were much different. He was born free, and then kidnapped into slavery. This twist on the typical plot gives the reader new insights on slave/master relations, particularly since Northrup had previously experienced freedom and was educated at the time of his enslavement.

Even better than Uncle Tom's Cabin:
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 intelligant 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.