Twenty-Two Years a Slave (Paperback or Softback)

is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The book recounts the author's experiences as a slave on a Virginia plantation and his subsequent lifeasa freeman. Steward'snarrativeprovidesapoignantinsight into the brutal realities of slavery, the cruelty inflicted on enslaved people, and his journey toward freedom and activism against the institution of slav ery. At the start of the book, Steward introduces himself as a slave born in Virginia, sharing vivid and harrowing details of slave life on the planta tion owned by Captain William Helm. He describes the harsh living con ditions, insufficient provisions, and the brutal punishments meted out by the overseer. As a child slave, he endures extreme cruelty but also longs for knowledge and freedom. He is later moved to the "great house" to serve his master's family, where he witnesses both the lifestyles of his masters and the contrasting misery of his fellow slaves. This opening portion sets the stage for Steward's compelling narrative that melds personal struggle with a broader commentary on the evils of slavery.

At seven years of age, I foundmyself a slave on the plantation of Capt. WilliamHelm. Ourfam ily consisted of myfather and mother-whosenameswereRobertandSusan Steward-a sister, Mary, and myself. As was the usual custom, we lived in a small cabin, built of rough boards, with a floor of earth, and small open ings in the sides of the cabin were substituted for windows. The chimney was built of sticks and mud; the door, of rough boards; and the whole was put together in the rudest possible manner. As to the furniture of this rude dwelling, it was procured by the slaves themselves, who were occasionally permitted to earn a little money after their day's toil was done. I never knew Capt. H. to furnish his slaves with household utensils of any description. The amount of provision given out on the plantation per week, was in variably one peck of corn or meal for each slave. This allowance was given in meal when it could be obtained; when it could not, they received corn, which they pounded in mortars after they returned from their labor in the field.