Thirty Years a Slave From Bondage to Freedom: The Institution of Slavery as Seen on the Plantation and in the Home of the Planter: Autobiography of Louis Hughes

Thirty Years a Slave, written by Louis Hughes, is a memoir that recounts the author's experiences as a slave in the United States, from his birth in Virginia in 1832 to his eventual escape to freedom in Canada. The book provides a detailed and personal account of the institution of slavery, including the harsh conditions, the treatment of slaves, and the relationships between slaves and their masters. The narrator describes his life on a plantation in Mississippi, where he was forced to work long hours, was subjected to physical punishment, and witnessed the cruel treatment of other slaves. He also recounts his experiences during the Civil War, including the Union army's capture of Memphis and his eventual escape to freedom. After gaining his freedom, the narrator moved to Milwaukee, where he worked as a porter and eventually started his own laundry business. Throughout the book, the narrator reflects on the injustices of slavery and the importance of freedom, providing a powerful and moving account of his life as a slave.