Twelve Years A Slave: Full Book and Comprehensive Reading Companion Paperback – October 5, 2013

Great book very descriptive, vivid and easy to read. The author really pulls you in to the story and you can invision the times of salvery through each detail given. Solomon Northrup was a great writer and provided an amazing recap of his downfall and journey of being held captive as a slave and passing through each plantation to finally being free again!

I had heard about this book for years, and I finally decided to read it because I intend to see the film when it comes close to this area. I've always heard that it's best to read the book first. I'm both anxious and apprehensive, because there are some scenes that are decidedly NOT pretty (but slavery was slavery...it wasn't pretty...no matter how benign a slaveowner may have been to those enslaved under him/her). Still, I'm more determined to see it than I've been about any any other movie in recent history.

Really an interesting book. Couldn't put it down until I finished it. Be prepared for the parts that will wrench your heart. Recommend reading. I haven't seen the movie. Wanted to read the book first. Not sure I will see the movie because it could never compare with the book.

A captivating story about slavery in the United States, a period that most would prefer to forget or wish it had never happened. But happen it did and this is the account of Solomon Northrup's 'sale' as a "freeman" into the world of slavery. Mans inhumanity to man!

The book itself is a wonderful slave narrative, but this particular copy had a lot of typos. It seemed like the publisher retyped the entire book and didn't proof read. The character analysis and summary were very helpful for the class I was taking though.

I saw the movie and have not had the time honestly to read it but after seeing the movie the book I am sure will have more detail I am really looking forward to reading it

This was really sad, I was interested in the authors interpretation after watching the movie. The book was better, as always. Much more insight into Mr Northup

It was great to read a book about what it was like to be a slave in the United States, written by a slave of that time. Sometimes hard to read about the way the plantation owners thought of their slaves and the way they treated them. They had less respect for their slaves than they did their animals.

With the film now out and the popularity of this book it hardly needs a review, it was excellent.The only thing I found was that the transcription on the cheaper copy that I purchased was not good. Anyone researching Black American History and the Slave Trade in America will find this very interesting

A reminder of how things have been in the not so distant past. Interesting. How an intelligent man took so long to gain his freedom echoes man's inhumanity to his fellow man and the greed that drives some to exploit others for their gain. No change there then!

Compelling from the start. It's hard to believe it is not a work fiction. Sums up perfectly the stoicism of the down trodden. Tearful right until the very end.

A difficult read, will revisit

12 Years a Slave is an excellent book which I bought as an ebook for Kindle. Unfortunately this is FULL of typos; far more than could ever be acceptable. I don't know why this is so, but it is. I can still make sense of the text, but sometimes only just. I wish more care had been taken in producing this ebook. Otherwise it is first rate. Only the great quantity of typos render it a less than satisfactory reading experience.