The Life of Olaudah Equiano / Edition 1

by Olaudah Equiano

Overview

Published in 1789, Equiano's autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience. He told the story of his life and suffering as a slave. He describes scenes of outrageous torture and made it clear to his readers how the institution of slavery dehumanized both owner and slave. Equiano's work became an important part of the abolitionist cause, because he was able to portray Africans with a humanity that many slave traders tried to deny. Anyone with an interest in the slave trade or the abolitionist movement will find this book essential reading. Nigerian slave and abolitionist OLAUDAH EQUIANO (1745-1797) was sold to white slavers when he was eleven and renamed Gustavas Vassa. He worked on a naval ship and fought during the Seven Years' War, which he felt earned him a right to freedom. Eventually, he was able to purchase his freedom and move to England, where he was safe from being captured back into slavery. There, he was an outspoken advocate of the abolitionist movement.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781602068001
Publisher:	Cosimo Classics
Publication date:	10/15/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.43(d)

About the Author

Olaudah Equiano, known for most of his life as Gustavus Vassa, was a writer and abolitionist from, according to his memoir, the Eboe region of the Kingdom of Benin. Enslaved as a child, he was taken to the Caribbean and sold as a slave to a Royal Navy officer. He was sold twice more but purchased his freedom in 1766.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER I. 4
CHAPTER II. 12
CHAPTER III. 20
CHAPTER IV. 27
CHAPTER V. 37
CHAPTER VI. 46
CHAPTER VII. 55
CHAPTER VIII. 61
CHAPTER IX. 61
CHAPTER X. 76
CHAPTER XI. 85
CHAPTER XII. 96