Americas
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Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
In 1861, Harriet Jacobs became the first formerly enslaved African American woman to publish a book-length account of her life. In crafting her coming-of-age story, she insisted upon biographical accuracy and bold creativity―telling the truth while giving herself and others fictionalized names. She also adapted conventions from two other popular genres: the sentimental novel and the slave narrative. Then, despite facing obstacles not encountered by white women and Black men, she orchestrated the book's publication and became a traveling bookseller in an effort to inspire passive Americans to support the abolition of slavery.
Engaging with the latest research on Jacobs's life and work, this edition helps readers to understand the magnitude of her achievement in writing, publishing, and distributing her life story. However, it also shows how this monumental accomplishment was only the beginning of her contributions, given her advocacy work over the nearly forty years that she lived after its publication. As a survivor of sexual abuse who became an advocate, Jacobs laid a foundation for activist movements such as #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo. This edition also features six appendices, placing at readers' fingertips resources that further illuminate the issues raised by Jacobs's remarkable life and legacy.
Engaging with the latest research on Jacobs's life and work, this edition helps readers to understand the magnitude of her achievement in writing, publishing, and distributing her life story. However, it also shows how this monumental accomplishment was only the beginning of her contributions, given her advocacy work over the nearly forty years that she lived after its publication. As a survivor of sexual abuse who became an advocate, Jacobs laid a foundation for activist movements such as #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo. This edition also features six appendices, placing at readers' fingertips resources that further illuminate the issues raised by Jacobs's remarkable life and legacy.
Editorial Reviews
"Those familiar with Harriet Jacobs's autobiography will discover new, vital details about her lifelong struggle in defense of Black women and Black people. Those encountering this work for the first time will be profoundly altered by Jacobs's relentless pursuit of equal rights and justice. This beautifully rendered edition is a must-read for all." ― Kali Gross, Emory University
"Koritha Mitchell is a brilliant literary historian and theorist. With breathtaking sensitivity to the forces, conditions, and places in Jacobs's life, Mitchell breathes new life―and brings deeper understanding and refreshing insight―into this classic narrative. Though it is over a century and a half old, through Mitchell's keen critical lens, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl remains relevant and impactful. Black women's lives and letters are in the very best of hands with Professor Koritha Mitchell." ― Imani Perry, Princeton University
"Koritha Mitchell's exemplary edition of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is what happens when a Black feminist-activist sharpens her pencil today. Engaging with an expansive array of archival documents and current scholarship, Mitchell goes beyond excellent historicizing to deftly demonstrate how ‘[US] society doles out life chances according to identity.' It's the best edition I've seen to date, in large part because of Mitchell's introduction." ― Joycelyn Moody, University of Texas San Antonio
"Koritha Mitchell is a brilliant literary historian and theorist. With breathtaking sensitivity to the forces, conditions, and places in Jacobs's life, Mitchell breathes new life―and brings deeper understanding and refreshing insight―into this classic narrative. Though it is over a century and a half old, through Mitchell's keen critical lens, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl remains relevant and impactful. Black women's lives and letters are in the very best of hands with Professor Koritha Mitchell." ― Imani Perry, Princeton University
"Koritha Mitchell's exemplary edition of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is what happens when a Black feminist-activist sharpens her pencil today. Engaging with an expansive array of archival documents and current scholarship, Mitchell goes beyond excellent historicizing to deftly demonstrate how ‘[US] society doles out life chances according to identity.' It's the best edition I've seen to date, in large part because of Mitchell's introduction." ― Joycelyn Moody, University of Texas San Antonio
Readers Top Reviews
玉木幹N. Angibaudpro
早速お送り頂き有難うございました。熱望の一書ですので、たちまち飛びついて読み始めました。著者に寄りそう心で読み続けています。
Monalisha Sahoo玉木
If you want to know about how slaves were treated and and were the conditions prevailing then with regard to slavery please go through this slave narrative.Many issues are discussed so that you can get a clear picture.
Cliente KindleMon
It's the second book I read which describes the terrible events experienced by american slaves. Very emotional and relevant source of history information
IzzieCliente Kind
I once read Trevor’s Noah’s, “BORN A CRIME” and he alluded that apartheid was treated similar to American slavery… it’s sought to suppress as much as possible. Especially as compared to the compulsory education in Germany regarding the reprehensible Nazi time. This book, WOW!! Growing up as a black girl (technically biracial but feel most identified as black), I would recoil in history classes when the chapter regarding slavery and Jim Crow times. It felt humiliating and the only memories I have are a brief overview of slavery and that African people sold out their people to the white man. You hear a bit about the mistreatment in shallow terms and then you learn about Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther king. The most you learn is about the civil war between the north and south but hardly anything is truly positive or gives any Sense of pride or understanding. In university, I learned more about My black side history than ever! How many brown people, especially black people have the opportunity to go to university but add one that helps you understand the systems of oppressions that still exists, abet covert and snake like. In this ONE book, I feel that this author telling her truth which she feels to emphasize is truly accurate, not done for pity but to help educate others about the real sufferings often glossed over in many books. I found myself holding my breath, feeling fret and the need to hurry back to my audible narrative! I would have been the same way had I read it as well. I feel this is a absolute must read and should be part of high school literature requirements/discussion. It covers multiple pieces of history, the truth of degradation, abuse, death, torture, racism, elitism and politics. I’m so glad that her friend convinced and pushed her to write her experiences and that of others. This book gives many flinches, psyche pain, the near impossibility of escaping and the hypocrisy in so/called free states too. My mom is from the Deep South. Her grandma (Nellie) was born close to the early 1900’s. Nellies grandma were in slavery. It’s not as long ago as we want to believe. Oh, I’m so moved and I hope that you will read this and learn so so much,,, even a bit of internalized racism is brought to life. If I could give this book more than 5 stars if the option was available!!!
Sharon Swann a Ki
After hearing about several topics & books celebrating Black History month (February), I noticed that Amazon offered variations for excellent prices. Dover Thrift Editions were available for practically every option I searched. Of the books purchased, all were Dover Thrift paperbacks that arrived on time and in perfect condition. From those purchased, Frederick Douglas, Narratives from the Underground Railroad and Incidents of a Slave Girl, I chose the latter to kickoff this segment of historical reading. This story of a young woman bound by slavery to every unimaginable dehumanizing act, which resulted in her bearing children that she had no rights to nurture or protect. Forcing her to choose 7 years of exile to an attic space where she could only lay on her back, she couldn't extend to her full height, she was subjected to the extreme elements of summer & winter, while being inches away from her loved ones who didn't know she was there. Even after escaping to the North, the threat never lessened. This was her existence for most of her life but perseverance & blessings (though strange to say) kept her holding on until final success came by way of a friend/benefactor. Compelling, heart wrenching, inspiring are a few words that come to mind yet nothing can do justice to her story without reading this well-written version. It really made me think about my birthplace in Virginia. The racial injustices that still exist today. How would I have managed such a life had I been born under the same conditions? A short but powerful read that shouldn't be overlooked.
