No group of slaves anywhere, in any era, has left such prolific testimony to the horror of bondage as African-American slaves. Here are four of the most notable narratives: The Life of Olaudah Equiano; The History of Mary Prince; Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass; and Incidents in the Life of Slave Girl.

Along with the writings of Frederick Douglas and Olaudah Equiano, this anthology includes the writings of women slaves Harriet Jacobs and Mary Prince.