Twelve Years a Slave

In 1853, this book shook American society and heralded the Civil War. 160 years later, it inspired Steve McQueen and Brad Pitt to create a cinematic masterpiece that has won many awards and accolades, including the 2014 Oscar for best film of the year.As for Solomon Northup himself, the book was a confession for him about the darkest period of his life. A period when despair almost suffocated the hope of breaking free from the chains of slavery and regaining the freedom and dignity that had been taken from him.The text of the translation is taken from the original 1855 edition. The translator has retained the author's style, which shows that Solomon Northup was not only learned but also literate.