Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs

As the title suggests, this is the true account of the life of Harriet Jacobs who grew up as a slave in North Carolina, but escaped to New York where eventually she was bought and given her freedom. The book was first published in 1861, at the onset of the Civil War. In order to protect herself and family, all of the characters are given assumed names. For many years this autobiography was thought to be a fictionalized account. As letters and other corroborating evidence have given credence to Harriet's tale, Incidents has been touted as a significant window into the brutal world of enslaved women. This is an engrossing read about a dark era in our nation's history.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: E444.J17 A3 2000
2nd Floor Humanities Library
Review submitted by: Diane Gennuso, Student Teaching Advisor, Antelope Valley Campus
Rating: Highly Recommended