Uncle Tom's Cabin

By: Harriet Beecher Stowe

Narrated by: Richard Allen

Length: 20 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Uncle Tom's Cabin opens with a Kentucky farmer named Arthur Shelby facing the loss of his farm because of debts. Even though he and his wife, Emily Shelby, believe that they have a benevolent relationship with their slaves, Shelby decides to raise the needed funds by selling two of them - Uncle Tom, a middle-aged man with a wife and children, and Harry, the son of Emily Shelby's maid Eliza - to a slave trader. Emily Shelby hates the idea of doing this because she had promised her maid that her child would never be sold; Emily's son, George Shelby, hates to see Tom go because he sees the old man as his friend and mentor.

When Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1852, it became an international blockbuster, selling more than 300,000 copies in the United States alone in its first year. Progressive for her time, Harriet Beecher Stowe was one of the earliest writers to offer a shockingly realistic depiction of slavery. Her stirring indictment and portrait of human dignity in the most inhumane circumstances enlightened hundreds of thousands of people by revealing the human costs of slavery, which had until then been cloaked and justified by the racist misperceptions of the time.

Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"It is a compelling adventure story with richly drawn stories & has earned a place in both literary & American history. " ( Barnes & Noble)

More on Richard Allen

This book is classic but I have to give the narrator his due. This guy really brought the story to life. He does women's voices and also sings. I felt like I was being read to by my father.

Wonderful

This is a powerful, moving beautiful book that made a great impact on American history. The narrator does a beautiful job. Highly recommended!

A great listening experience

As with other classics, I first read this book as a teenager. Recently, I decided to purchase it in audiobook format for a "re-read." The story is still terrific and Richard Allen does an absolutely masterful job in the narration.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

I was hesitant to listen to this classic due to its duration, but I was sold by the excellent reviews Richard Allen, its narrator, obtained. Wow! This narrator is arguably the best I've heard, and I have listened to many books. The combination of Uncle Tom's plight, the inspiration that led to its writing, and Richard Allen's reading make this an excellent novel. You won't be disappointed.

Richard Allen is Incredible!

The book is engaging in itself, but Richard Allen does an unbelievably great job at narration. He excellently reads male, female, young, old, white, black, and he sings!! This has been on my bucket list for a long time, and I'm so glad I picked this version to listen to.

Thought Provoking

This book took a little getting into but once in it gripped me and made me think not only of the cruelties of slavery but of man's different personalities and his constant ability to find something to differentiate himself from his neighbour.

A Masterpiece

It took decades for me to finally tackle this book, because I always expected a sub-par literary experience. But it is a masterpiece -- written with wit and humanity, fully alive characters, and a gripping story. Yes, it is a melodrama (very popular in the 19th century), and the Christian theme is heavy-handed in parts, which is why it's considered more of a period piece than real literature. Richard Allen's reading is extraordinary and heightened the enjoyment of listening immeasurably. Now I know that Uncle Tom was not a pathetic bow-and-scrape type of man, but a saint-like and heroic character.

Why did I wait so long to read this book?

Probably for Richard Allen's narration.... When you finish Uncle Tom's Cabin, you'll understand why it's a classic. I hope our current generation will see its value and application to the petty, heartless discriminations of our society.

Not what I expected and glad of it

I had expected a story filled with the horrors of slavery. It had its share of heart breaking moments. However, I found it to be more of a Christian testimony of how the life of one faithful man could change so many. Amazing and spiritually uplifting.
I had tried to read this before but was unable to enjoy it due to the way the characters' spoken words were written. Mr. Allen did an amazing job bringing this book to life. I hated to turn it off. I highly recommend.

historic value

I always have heard this book refered to sometimes with scorn and some with hailed praises i can see that those who make fun of uncle tom or berate a person for being an uncle tom have not understood the convictions of the charater or do not know the story... it was heart warming and i can see how it caused great conviction to the humanity of its time excellent!

Fantastic narration

I have wanted to read this book since reading Sue Monk Kidd's 'The invention of wings' about two sisters who were abolitionists. The first version I bought of this audio book was diabolical. The narration was awful. The narrator on this one , Richard Allen, however was first class. He really brought the characters to life. This book has reply affected me and was great to listen to.One of those books where you find many excuses to take a longer route, drive slower, go for long walks or ignore conversations so you can continue listening. Would highly recommend to anyone who would like to hear more personal accounts of slavery based on real life experiences.

wow. just... wow

There are no words to explain the phenomenal book here. Read it. if there is only one book you will ever read or listen to then make it this one. the narration was perfect and you could really see the charecters when each was presented. I am quite a hardy person but even I succumbed to the emotion presented within the book and within the narration that was executed with perfecion by Richard Allen. 10 out of 10 in all aspects!

Great story

I really enjoyed this story that we all hear so much about. I find this book a thought provoking novel and reflecting on when it was written think it is an essential read when thinking about America’s history. I would recommend this to everyone to read/ listen to - well worth the investment of time.

very insightful account written with such accuracy

and so genuine. the author was a leader of her time, conclusion still relevant today.

A story steeped in true Christian grace

World changing, highlights the power of Jesus to overcome all evil. Very relevant to today's slave crisis.

A "must read'....

A bit difficult to listen to in these more "enlightened" days......but like "Bury my heart at Wounded Knee' it shows some of the horrors on which the US was founded...

A long but informative narrative

This was a bit of a marathon and of its time, but a classic worthy of the name and worth the time taken.

A Fact Based Revelation in narrative form

This is a moving account of the lives of enslaved people in the Southern States of the USA before the civil war. It confronted the people of the day with a moving account of what it means to be a slave. I was in tears as I listened to these accounts.

A revelation!

I had assumed this was a book in the same vein as Gone With The Wind, but it is an amazing anti-slavery novel. Uncle Tom is a Christ-like figure who bears his suffering while always knowing the system of slavery is wrong and that he has a right to freedom and equality. Written in the 1852 it is not always perfect in the conclusions it draws, but in the context of that time it was explosive, and was banned in some states. It’s a very good read, highly recommend.