Northup worked on plantations in the state of louisiana for twelve. Twelve years a slave quotes and analysis gradesaver. In it, he takes the reader on an unforgettable journey from the slave markets in washington, d. 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. Aug 22, 2018 solomon northup after his 12 years a slave. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 363 pages and is available in ebook format. In the end, twelve years a slave is both a profound memoir and a well written, passionate abolitionist document from an involuntary inside informant. A farmer and a professional violinist, northup had been a landowner in hebron, new york.
Its an autobiographical account of how solomon northup. The narrative opens with a promise from narrator and protagonist, solomon northup, that the following story will not be uninteresting to the public. Praise for twelve years a slave i can never read his account of his days in slavery, of his independence of spirit, of his determination to be free without believing that it would make a difference in todays world if our contemporaries knew of such a man as solomon northup. Born in july 1808, he was the son of an emancipated slave. Free download or read online twelve years a slave pdf epub book. For the following twelve years, hes sold to numerous ruthless, savage and also despicable servant owners.
Twelve years a slave tells the remarkable true story of solomon northup, a free black man who was kidnapped in washington d. The tragic story of solomon northup told in twelve years a slave stands as an enduring classic in american history. Twelve years a s lave 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 alternate title. His memoir, twelve years a s lave, was published in 1853 and details the deception that got him kidnapped and sold into slavery, as well as the years he spent on southern plantations. Northups book, dedicated to stowe, sold 30,000 copies, making it a bestseller in its own right. Twelve years a s lave by solomon northup the 2014 oscar winning film for best picture, 12 years a slave, is based upon the truelife story of solomon northup. He spent the next 12 years as a slave, and this book was written after he was rescued in 1853. He provided details of slave markets in washington, dc, as well as describing at.
Download or read twelve years a slave book by clicking button below to visit the book download website. Epps offers the standard justification for slavery, that black people were naturally. Solomon northup july 10, 1807 or 1808 unknown was an american abolitionist and the primary author of the memoir twelve years a slave. I am currently reading twelve years a slave by solomon northup. Twelve years a slave is a powerful narrative in and of itself, telling the story of solomon northup, a black man born free yet kidnapped and sold into slavery for twelve years before being rescued. Readers couldnt help but notice that the reallife horrors exposed in northup s expansive book, written with the assistance of lawyer. The book was expanded and reissued by praeger in august 20 as solomon northup. Solomon northup was a free man kidnapped into slavery in washington, d. The first edition of the novel was published in 1853, and was written by solomon northup. Anne hampton northup solomons wife and the mother of his three children. Twelve years a slave, by solomon northupa project gutenberg.
Solomon northup has 45 books on goodreads with 234179 ratings. These notes and appendices create a real perspective. Feb 25, 2014 12 years a slave ebook written by solomon northup. Twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as. Images, maps and read twelve years a slave enhanced edition by dr.
For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup book resume. Solomon northup was a free black resident of new york state who was drugged on a trip to washington, d. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup free ebook. Born as a free coloured man, solomon northup was tricked, drugged, kidnapped, tortured and hence sold into slavery. Northup dictated his story to wilson, who wrote it down and prepared it for publication under the title 12 years a s lave.
Now the major motion picture that won the 2014 academy award for best picture, starring chiwetel ejiofor, michael fassbender. Twelve years a slave, solomon northup 1808 1863 twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. Free man in chapters i and ii, northup tells of his life as a. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read 12 years a slave. He tells the reader that the pages to come will detail his life as a free man of the north, his subsequent kidnapping, his twelve miserable years. The books appendix c provides the publishing history for twelve years a s lave during the 19th century. Solomon is tricked, drugged and offered into slavery. Twelve years a slave ebook written by solomon northup. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853. His appeals of being wrongfully confined are met a beating so serious that he keeps his true identity a key from that point on. Stowes book was published a year before northups memoir but by the time she published her rebuttal to critics about accuracy in her a key to. The book, which is set to release as a feature film next month, is powerful.
Strongly recommended for anyone interested in american history or who has never heard of solomon northup. The narrative provides a unique perspective on slavery, being told from the slave himself instead of an outsider looking in. Twelve years a slave solomon northup, 1853, 1968, 2008 penguin group usa 288 pp. The main characters of this non fiction, history story are solomon northup. Northup, a black man who was born free in new york, details his kidnapping in washington, d. Unlike most authors of slave narratives, northup was not a fugitive when he co authored his book with a white man named david wilson. Among the three owners he had, all of them had a different way of treating their slaves. It recounts how solomon northup, born a free man in new york, was lured to washington, d. The 12 years a slave quotes below are all either spoken by edwin epps or refer to edwin epps. The book twelve years a s lave is wonderfully written and sadly hundreds of stories that are true and need to be written. Solomon northup twelve years a slave freebooksummary. Northup, a black man who was born free in new york state, details his being tricked to go to washington, d. A black woman of mixedrace ancestry, she worked as a cook.
Shortly after his escape, he published his memoirs to great acclaim and brought legal action against his. Solomon northup after his 12 years a slave history. Born free and illegally kidnapped, he spends 12 years in slavery before achieving his freedom. Solomon northup 12 years a slave audiob book online. The narrative twelve years a slave is a mesmerizing memoir of the life of solomon northup. Twelve years a slave 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. Apr 30, 2019 solomon northup was a free black resident of new york state who was drugged on a trip to washington, d.
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 alternate title. Check out other translated books in french, spanish languages. Solomon northup, american farmer, laborer, and musician whose experience of being kidnapped and sold into slavery was the basis for his book twelve years a slave 1853, which was adapted into an awardwinning film in 20. Twelve years a slave nook edition by solomon northup. This book is also available in large print, extra large print and dyslexiafriendly editions. Northup discusses his days as a slave and the different obstacles he went through. 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. Its an autobiographical account of how solomon northup, continue reading. Edwin epps character analysis in 12 years a slave litcharts. Based on the autobiographical narrative 1853 of solomon northup, the film. After his escape, he became an abolitionist and published his memoir, twelve years a s lave 1853.
Pdf twelve years a slave by solomon northup download pdf. 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. Solomon northup was a black man who was born a free black man in new york in 1808. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup, hardcover. The story of solomon northup is a bizarre and incredible one. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup full audiobook. Solomon northup s 12 years a s lave recounts the authors life story as a free black man from the north who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the precivil war south the son of an emancipated slave, northup was born free. He gave many lectures in support of the abolitionist causes and aided in the underground railroad for fugitive slaves. The complete story of the author of twelve years a s lave, isbn 9781440829741, with coauthors fiske, clifford w. Pdf twelve years a slave book by solomon northup free. His memoirs of the experience were published as twelve years a s lave.
Twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. Solomon northup was a free african american living in new york in the 1800s when he was captured and sold into slavery into the south. Twelve years a slave solomon northup read online free books. But this particular edition is enriched with notes and various appendices written by the two editors. It follows the trials and tribulations of an educated african american man that was born into freedom and later kidnapped, taken away from his family, and forced into slavery. Twelve years a slave, a true story by solomon northup. This edition includes the complete unabridged text of his firsthand narrative, as well as the original illustrations throughout. A freeborn african american from new york, he was the son of a freed slave and a free woman of color.
Twelve years a slave was recorded by david wilson, a white lawyer and legislator from new york who claimed to have presented a faithful history of solomon northup s life, as i received it from his lips p. There are multiple format available for you to choose pdf, epub, doc. In 1841, northup was kidnapped in boston and take to the south to be sold as a slave. At home in syracuse, new york, adams read twelve years a slave alone in his room quicker than any book id ever read in my life. In chapters i and ii, northup tells of his life as a free black man living in upstate new york. Solomon northups most popular book is twelve years a slave. Twelve years a slave study guide contains a biography of solomon northup, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. In 1841, he was offered a traveling musicians job and went to. Frederick douglass, famous writer, former slave and abolitionist it will be read extensively. 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. He lived, worked, and married in upstate new york, where his family resided.
Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of new york, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river in louisiana 1853. This harrowing true story of solomon northup was the basis for the academy awardwinning film 12 years a slave. Additionally, the accuracy of and factual detail in 12 years a slave have kept this book prominent as a reliable historical reference on slavery for more than 150 years since it first debuted. Feb 27, 2014 twelve years a slave by solomon northup, 9780007580422, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Not hopefully for our enjoyment but giving us the understanding and knowledge not to repeat and if done and we are made aware do something about. The main interest of the book is of course the autobiographical testimony it contains. Solomon northups twelve years a slave, provides readers with a different outlook on slavery. Steve mcqueens devastating new movie, 12 years a s lave, begins with the words based on a true story and ends with a description of what happened to solomon northup and his assailants. Born a free black in new york state in 1808, he was kidnapped in washington, d. An original slave narrative written in 1808 by solomon northup, this harrowing tale tells of his life as a free man in new york who was then drugged, beaten, kidnapped, and sold into slavery, living the next twelve years of his life as a slave on a series of louisiana plantations. The narrative will be read with interest by every one who can sympathise with a human being struggling for. His name and identity were snatched away from him and he was forced to be slave and after 12 years remaining slave under various masters, he obtained freedom in january 1853. Northup s book was published in 1853, less than a year after his liberation. I am currently reading twelve years a s lave by solomon northup.
Northups narrative stages a debate between bass and epps. Shortly after his escape, he published his memoirs to great acclaim and brought legal action against his abductors, though they were never prosecuted. Twelve years a slave is an account of actual events that took place in the life of solomon northup, during the precivil war era of the 1840s. Books by solomon northup author of twelve years a slave. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read 12 years a s lave.
May 14, 2019 solomon northup was an africanamerican farmer and musician who was taken hostage and sold into slavery in 1841. Beaten and chained, he was transported by ship to a new orleans slave market and suffered more than a decade of servitude on louisiana plantations. Twelve years a slave is a memoir and slave narrative by solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read twelve years a slave. Solomon northup gives the reader a detailed account of the lives. This new edition of the book shows to a fuller extent the tragedy, adding some understanding of the limits to freedom and justice endured by a free man of color in antebellum society.