Twelve Years a Slave

A free man was taken from his life—and forced to fight for his freedom all over again.



In Twelve Years a Slave, Solomon Northup recounts the extraordinary and devastating true story of his kidnapping and enslavement in nineteenth-century America.



Born free in New York, Northup was a skilled musician, husband, and father. His life changed dramatically when deception placed him inside a brutal system from which escape seemed almost impossible.



Written with clarity and remarkable detail, his memoir documents the realities of slavery while revealing extraordinary endurance, intelligence, courage, and hope.



First published in 1853, Twelve Years a Slave became an important firsthand account of American slavery and remains a significant work of historical testimony.



Essential reading for those interested in American history, slavery narratives, memoir, civil rights history, survival, and true stories of resilience.



Read the testimony that history must never forget. Discover Solomon Northup's unforgettable story today.