Master Slave Husband Wife

An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom

By: Ilyon Woo

Narrated by: Janina Edwards, Leon Nixon

Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

One of The New York Times’s 10 Best Books of 2023
New York Times Bestseller
Named a best book of 2023 by The New Yorker, Time, NPR, Smithsonian Magazine, Boston, Chicago Public Library, Oprah Daily, and People

The remarkable true story of Ellen and William Craft, who escaped slavery through daring, determination, and disguise, with Ellen passing as a wealthy, disabled White man and William posing as “his” slave.

In 1848, a year of international democratic revolt, a young, enslaved couple, Ellen and William Craft, achieved one of the boldest feats of self-emancipation in American history. Posing as master and slave, while sustained by their love as husband and wife, they made their escape together across more than 1,000 miles, riding out in the open on steamboats, carriages, and trains that took them from bondage in Georgia to the free states of the North.

Along the way, they dodged slave traders, military officers, and even friends of their enslavers, who might have revealed their true identities. The tale of their adventure soon made them celebrities, and generated headlines around the country. Americans could not get enough of this charismatic young couple, who traveled another 1,000 miles criss-crossing New England, drawing thunderous applause as they spoke alongside some of the greatest abolitionist luminaries of the day—among them Frederick Douglass and William Wells Brown.

But even then, they were not out of danger. With the passage of an infamous new Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, all Americans became accountable for returning refugees like the Crafts to slavery. Then yet another adventure began, as slave hunters came up from Georgia, forcing the Crafts to flee once again—this time from the United States, their lives and thousands more on the line and the stakes never higher.

With three epic journeys compressed into one monumental bid for freedom, Master Slave Husband Wife is an American love story—one that would challenge the nation’s core precepts of life, liberty, and justice for all—one that challenges us even now.

©2023 Ilyon Woo. All rights reserved. (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Truly important piece of history

This is a heart pounding, page turning read. Ms Woo's dedicated and deep researching has resulted in an important historical work that I will proudly add to my library and, no doubt, read again.

outstanding book all should read. I loved it.

How could I have not known about the Crafts and there remarkable story. I'm 73 years old. The author shears an important prospective on the life of enslaved people and those with whom they inter acted. Good and the bad.

A fascinating story about a man and his wife

As someone who loves history and how we as a country and a people need to learn from our past mistakes, this is a wonderful story of a man and his wife fleeing the South for a better life elsewhere. This is a story of freedom and redemption!

Story of Courage

The story of William and Ellen should be known by every American. It must have been challenging to write and decide what was truth or fiction and what to include.

well read, well written, well documented,

well read, amazing story , written and edited fabulously. the coda was as thought-provoking as the book. thank you Dr. Woo.

A captivating story

I found this to be an American story well worth the listen. The author’s painstaking research shines through as we learn about the epic journey of Ellen and William Craft.

D.C. Taylor

This book was an interesting historical study of the tumultuous times during and after slavery.

A beautiful and enduring story that needs to be told. 

This is a really well researched and beautiful love story. It shares the ups and downs of their journey, as well as their joys and their sorrows. I learned a lot from the telling of the story and it pushed me to find out more about our history during this time period. It’s inspiring and and very moving. Highly recommend.

Captivating

I never really thought too much what life was like as a slave. And this couple was remarkable the way they were able to free themselves and live a successful life after slavery. I highly recommend this book.

Absolutely fascinating

Riveting history, perfectly delivered as narrative nonfiction, both inspiring and painful. I thank you.