The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. Written by Himself

A must-read for anyone with a soul... but be sure to have a box of tissues handy! This is the totally AMAZING autobiography of Olaudah Equiano (pronounced OH-LA-OO-DAH EH-QUEE-AH-NO), who went from being a free young man in Africa to being a slave to other Africans to being a slave to Whites in the Caribbean and American South, and through his faith, honestly, morality, and love for his fellow man of all races he attained his liberty in Britain and ascended to the social rank of Gentleman. A gut-wrenching, tear-jerking, and ultimately exalting story that takes you from the depths of man's grievous wickedness to the heights of mercy, forgiveness, and victory over tyranny. I strongly believe that this should be required reading in every school.

This book was an awesome journey into the the mid 1700s. Vassa takes us on a journey from captivity to freedom traveling the Caribbean’s to Savannah. This is a great read for black Americans historically called Negros by the powers of the time. It is a heartfelt account and yet relevant to the human condition that blacks face “till dis day!”

This reads like a combination of the biography of Frederick Douglass and Forrest Gump. In other words, he floats around accidental-like on a breeze, and suffers mightily wherever he goes and has great adventures. Where didn't he go? And what didn't he see in cruelty? It's almost not quite believable, but the narrative gives off an air of authenticity via his combination of eloquence, assertions of truth and request for fact-checking, and his finding God. Astonishing, truly, and moving.

Although I did not finish the narrative yet, I found that the author was much more intelligent than I expected for that period. He was informative and descriptive of the his African culture and the slave culture. As far as the product is concerned, I was delighted that when I returned to read the book opened where I left off automatically. I so needed that.

I enjoyed the reading of the book so far, it seem to be a great read.

I stumbled across this book while trying to find out more about the the effects of slave trade on families left behind. Beautiful book written by an Olaudah Equiano who taken from his home and enslaved in the North America. I have only read chapter one and you can feel his emotions and hear his voice while reading his description of his village, family, and dreams for the future. I have rarely felt so connected to an author. I don't know why this book isn't more widely known. Thanks to Amazon for making it available at no cost.

Randomly came across this book via a clip on YouTube. Not the easiest book to get thru. Lots of things that will make your stomach turn. But an invaluable (and rare) look at slavery from the eyes of the slave. Wish more people acknowledged how this is a direct correlation to what we witness today!

This biography is a touching, unsettling, and uplifting account written by a black man who eventually ended up in England, helping in Wilberforce's antislavery movement that ended slave trade for good in Britain. He himself was pressed into a slave's life numerous times, after being abducted from Africa, and spent time both as a servant and as slave, with experiences that were at horrific to recount or relive for him. He was a deeply positive individual who continously saw his cup as "half full" instead of "half empty" and strove to press for the removal of this practice as he matured in years and spirituality. It is very encouraging to read of his experiences and how he both survived them and grew through them.