12 Essential Books About Slavery in America

These eye-opening books will transport you to the darkest era of American history.

By MacKenzie Stuart | Updated Jan 23, 2020 | Published Feb 5, 2019

books about slavery — Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Buy Bullwhip Days at Amazon

Bullwhip Days

By James Mellon

Buy Slavery and Public History at Amazon

Slavery and Public History

By James Oliver Horton and Lois E. Horton

Buy The Ballad of Blind Tom, Slave Pianist at Amazon

The Ballad of Blind Tom, Slave Pianist

By Deirdre O'Connell

Buy Slave Labor in the Capital at Amazon

Slave Labor in the Capital

By Bob Arnebeck

Buy Twelve Years a Slave at Amazon

Twelve Years a Slave

By Solomon Northup

Buy Harriet Tubman at Amazon

Harriet Tubman

By Ann Petry

Buy Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass at Amazon

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

By Frederick Douglass

Buy A Slave No More at Amazon

A Slave No More

By David W. Blight

books about slavery

The Half Has Never Been Told

By Edward E. Baptist

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books about slavery

The Peculiar Institution

By Kenneth M. Stampp

books about slavery

Celia, A Slave

By Melton A. McLaurin

books about slavery

Never Caught

By Erica Armstrong Dunbar

Leaders in History