Twelve Years a Slave

By: Solomon Northup

Narrated by: Louis Gossett Jr.

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Official Movie Tie-in Audiobook for the Academy Award's Best Picture and Golden Globe's Best Drama winner.

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller.

In this riveting landmark autobiography which reads like a novel, Academy Award and Emmy winner Louis Gossett, Jr., masterfully transports us to 1840s New York, Washington, D.C., and Louisiana to experience the kidnapping and twelve years of bondage of Solomon Northup, a free man of color. Twelve Years a Slave, published in 1853, was an immediate bombshell in the national debate over slavery leading up to the Civil War. It validated Harriett Beecher Stowe’s fictional account of Southern slavery in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which had become the best-selling American book in history a few years earlier and significantly changed public opinion in favor of abolition. Experience our official movie tie-in audiobook for the award-winning motion picture, directed by Steve McQueen and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti, Michael Fassbender, and Lupita Nyong'o. This audio edition with an accompanying custom map is based on the research of Dr. Sue Eakin, the nationally recognized authority on Solomon Northup who spent a lifetime authenticating his story.

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 antic spirit, 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 joyful 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 1,000 miles 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’ jealousy 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.

AUTHENTICATION: Northup’s harrowing first-hand account was authenticated from decades of research by Dr. Sue Eakin, who rediscovered the original narrative as a 12-year old in 1931 and made it her life’s work.

For additional audio clips, background info and images, see our website at www.12YearsASlaveBook.com.

Download your unique free map based on Solomon's narrative.

©2013 Eakin Films & Publishing (P)2013 Eakin Films & Publishing

Critic reviews

“...Gossett infuses the words with a quiet, seething power." ( AudioFile, 2013)

“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)

"[T]he extraordinary narrative of Solomon Northup is the most remarkable book that was ever issued from the American press." ( Detroit Tribune, original 1853 review) "Its truth is far greater than fiction." (Frederick Douglass, famous writer, former slave and abolitionist) "It will be read extensively, both at the North and the South." ( New York Tribune, 1853, published by Horace Greeley)

Sad story with a good ending

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, but I don't think I would want to watch the movie.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Twelve Years a Slave?

The treatment of the slaves were horrible. It was deplorable the conditions that people were made to live in.

Which character – as performed by Louis Gossett, Jr. – was your favorite?

The main character, Solomon Northup

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Solomon refused to obey his master to whip the girl more, it could have cost him a whipping himself.

Any additional comments?

This is a story of a man who was a freeman who was kidnapped and forced into slavery. It is a very sad story, but it has a good ending because some one has the compassion to help him regain his freedom. It is a good book to read or listen too, but I think a movie would be too graphic for most.

Awesome Work!

loved this glimpse into the satanic grasp of slavery. Simply riveting. God forbid this institution.

Twelve Years as a Slave

Story: The movie followed the book except for the dramatic license with some characters did not exist and incidents that did not occur. But that is Hollwyood. The books is interesting enough. I found the language in the book interesting since it was written the current style.

Reader: As always, it is a pleasure to listen to Mr. Gossett.

The injustice of it all

This is a worthy true story of slavery that should not be misssed. The narration is a little difficult to get used to and I feel a younger narrator should have been used.The story is wonderful and worth your time. If you are interested in slavery or the history of the blacks in our country this is a must listen.

Wow...

Unbelievable story of one of many with a good ending. A must read for all.

sad time

I loved the story. how sad people could treat other people in such a cruel way, the slave owners should have gotten a taste of their own medicine

Heartbreaking but Important

Solomon Northup was an amazing storyteller. What happened to him was disgusting, and he conveys every bit of that in his memoir. 12 Years a Slave should be required reading for every child in school. It's the most gutwrenching account of slavery I've ever read. This audiobook version succeeded in storytelling in every way. The narrator was fantastic with tone and voices, and historical information at the end was very interesting and actually added a lot to the weight of the story. A must listen.

Perfectly heartbreaking

Louis Gossett jr. is perfect for narrating this amazing story of a life downtrodden by the burdens of slavery and the subsequent deliverance of the author. The autobiography by Mr Northup delivers written eloquence that describe in great detail all the circumstances and people involved in the years leading up to, during and immediately after his entrapment. This is a must-read of American history!

A must read!

I listen to audio books near constantly as part of my life and I have never bothered to leave a review.

Read this. It's gut wrenching and good for you.

Louis Gossett Jr. delivers.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Twelve Years a Slave?

That Mr. Northrup would describe the differing procedures for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of cotton and sugar cane, because he thought the reading audience might find it interesting. Which it was.

What about Louis Gossett, Jr.’s performance did you like?

Louis Gossett, Jr.'s performance was buttery smooth. I truly enjoyed listening to his voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Mr. Northrup returned home to his family, and the true scope of everything that he missed experiencing with his family becomes apparent. Those memories are lost for ever, and as a parent really struck home with me.

Any additional comments?

I just really enjoyed this book.