Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume XVII, Virginia Narratives

"Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves" by the United States Work Projects Administration, is a collection of powerful stories presenting the actual experiences of people who were once enslaved in the United States. Through interviews conducted in the 1930s, the book vividly portrays the everyday realities, difficulties, and strength of enslaved people, with a particular focus on narratives from Virginia, revealing personal accounts of life before, during, and after the Civil War, including memories like those of Mrs. Fannie Berry recalling Nat Turner's Insurrection. These stories cover themes such as the brutality of slave catchers, moments of personal freedom however small, and the vital role of religious gatherings as a source of comfort and resistance, painting a detailed picture of enslaved people striving for hope and community amid injustice.