Must-Read Books
Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom by Catherine Clinton
Learn about the cost of freedom and what slaves did in order to gain freedom. This novel about Harriet Tubman expands on the major events that happened in her life, and how hard it was for her as a slave. It also highlights how she made a difference by going back into slave territory to help free more slaves.
Slavery by Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon
This book by Douglas A. Blackmon is especially important because it highlights how the lives of slaves weren't joyous and free after the civil war. It explains how former slaves were still treated as second-class citizens.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass
This memoir is an important read because it follows the life of Frederick Douglass, and an important figure in African American history, and in detail expresses his hardships and troubles growing up as a slave in Massachusetts.
Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
This memoir is of just as special importance as the previous memoir, because similarly to the last one, it follows the narrative of a slave. It is different, and of same importance, because it conveys the point that just because you were a free slave, because of your skin color you were still treated and respected the same. This free man was respected so lowly, that people went out of their way to trick him into an ambush, where he was kidnapped and sold as a slave. His life went from being a free-born man to a slave is only a matter of time.
Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington
Up from Slavery is an autobiography of a significant American figure, Booker T. Washington. This is of importance because it describes his personal experiences and accounts with having to work to educate himself and raise himself from the depths of slavery, into an educator.