A compilation of more than 40 narratives drawn from the Slave Narrative Collection - a catalogue of more than 2000 interviews with former slaves, conducted by the American government's Works Progress Administration during the 1930s. The vivid text of the book presents former slaves describing their personal experiences of living as slaves in the United States. At once fascinating, disconcerting and often inspirational, the accounts provide an eye-opening reference to one of the darkest periods in American history, as well as a moving human connection to those who endured the adversities of that institution. Accompanying the narratives are illuminating essays by pre-eminent historian on subjects such as slave auctions, family life in slavery and emancipation.