"I could not believe that I had never heard of this book. It felt as important as Anne Frank's diary." - Steve McQueen

This is not my usual type of read, but I am seriously not disappointed that I picked it up. Chilling, heart breaking, beautifully written, this memoir of one man's kidnapping from freedom, descent into slavery, and his rescue, is one of those tales you read that stay with you forever . It blows my mind to think, as I read the pages, that he went through all of that. That countless slaves were treated as though they were lesser than humans, lesser than sentient beings. To be inflicted with such pain, torture and cruelty, every day, and yet he never lost hope. This book is thought provoking, the language absolutely beautiful and captivating, and is a very important read. This book has opened up a curiosity in me to read more historical books on African American slavery/history .
Definitely 5 out of 5 stars! Highly recommend this memoir!