Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Harriet Jacobs

Mar 2012 · Courier Corporation

About this ebook

The true story of an individual's struggle for self-identity, self-preservation, and freedom, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl remains among the few extant slave narratives written by a woman. This autobiographical account chronicles the remarkable odyssey of Harriet Jacobs (1813–1897) whose dauntless spirit and faith carried her from a life of servitude and degradation in North Carolina to liberty and reunion with her children in the North.
Written and published in 1861 after Jacobs' harrowing escape from a vile and predatory master, the memoir delivers a powerful and unflinching portrayal of the abuses and hypocrisy of the master-slave relationship. Jacobs writes frankly of the horrors she suffered as a slave, her eventual escape after several unsuccessful attempts, and her seven years in self-imposed exile, hiding in a coffin-like "garret" attached to her grandmother's porch.
A rare firsthand account of a courageous woman's determination and endurance, this inspirational story also represents a valuable historical record of the continuing battle for freedom and the preservation of family.

Ratings and reviews

Interesting and very sad read. Everyone should read this to further their knowledge and understanding of the harrowing slave trade in which countries became very rich because of it. Her courage and determination is outstanding god rest her soul

great read but a hard thing to understand that a human being went threw so much at the hands of others.I glad for her strength n determination to do what she needed to do to be free in a legal sense but always free by God's will...

The truth. Best book ever. I can't imagine how my life would be if I was born back then but none of the less I was fortunate enough in this life time to not have to deal with this but now an days it seems like ppl are willing to see these type of days again