My Life In The South

"My Life In The South" by Jacob Stroyer is a powerful recollection of enslavement in the 1800s. The book shares the author's intimate encounters as someone who was once enslaved in the South; he presents an honest and candid perspective of his world and the anguish and strength that existed within it. Stroyer’s story begins by describing his heritage, with his father's capture in Africa and subsequent enslavement in South Carolina. He remembers his early years spent on a plantation, and shines a light on the importance of family bonds and shares stories about their tough existence as well the experiences of other enslaved people, with an unflinching look at the harsh treatment of enslaved children and the cruelty of the overseers. The book is a glimpse into personal memories that effectively puts a face to the experience of those enslaved.