Twelve Years a Slave – Narrative-Only Edition with Introduction by Dr. Sue Eakin, the Recognized Authority

NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLER

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER FOR BEST PICTURE

GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER FOR BEST DRAMA

"I wish to thank this amazing historian, Sue Eakin, who gave her life's work to preserving Solomon's story" -- Steve McQueen's Academy Awards acceptance speech for Best Picture

This Narrative-Only Edition includes Solomon Northup's story as published in 1853, which has been authenticated by Dr. Sue Eakin based on her lifetime of research. Also available on Amazon is Dr. Eakin's Enhanced Edition, which includes over 100 additional pages of fascinating documents, images, chapter notes and historical context. In this riveting true slave narrative that reads like a novel, you are transported to 1840 s New York, Washington, D.C., and Louisiana to experience the kidnapping and twelve years of bondage of Northup, a free man of color. The book was an immediate bombshell in the national debate over slavery leading up to the Civil War. Now a major motion picture by Director Steve McQueen (produced by Brad Pitt), you can sync this e-book with our Movie Tie-in Audiobook performed by Oscar and Emmy winner Louis Gossett, Jr.

To enhance your book and movie experience see our website listed in the e-book s sample pages, where you ll find instructions for downloading your free PDF Collector s Extra for your library. A portion of proceeds from this book supports organizations fighting modern-day slavery in the form of human trafficking.

SYNOPSIS: Hard working Solomon Northup, an educated free man of color in 1841, enjoys family life with his wife and three children in Saratoga, New York. He delights his community with his fiddle playing and has positive expectations of all he meets. When he is deceived by circus promoters to accompany them to a musical gig in the nation s capital, his life takes an unimaginable turn. He awakens in shackles to find he has been drugged, kidnapped and bound for the slave block in D.C. After Solomon is shipped to New Orleans, he is assigned his slave name and quickly learns that the mere utterance of his true origin or rights as a freeman are certain to bring severe punishment or death. While he endures the brutal life of a slave in Louisiana s isolated Bayou Boeuf plantation country, he must learn how to play the system and plot his escape home.

For 12 years, his fine mind captures the reality of slavery in stunning detail, as we learn about the characters that populate plantation society and the intrigues of the bayou from the collapse of a slave rebellion resulting in mass hangings due to traitorous slave Lew Cheney, to the tragic abuse of his friend Patsey because of Mrs. Epps jealously of her husband s sexual exploitation of his pretty young slave.

When Solomon finally finds a sympathizing friend who risks his life to secret a letter to the North, a courageous rescue attempt ensues that could either compound Solomon s suffering, or get him back to the arms of his family.

REVIEWS - Below is from the original 1853 reviews following publication:

...the extraordinary narrative of Solomon Northup is the most remarkable book that was ever issued from the American press. - Detroit Tribune

CONTEMPORARY COMMENTARY:
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 today s world if our contemporaries knew of such a man as Solomon Northup - Dr. John Hope Franklin, past president of the American Historical Association, best-selling author, recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom (nation s highest civilian honor). Written to Dr. Sue Eakin.

2014 Eakin Films & Publishing