Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, an American Slave


Read by James K. White

(4.7 stars; 70 reviews)

Henry Walton Bibb was born a slave. His father was white although his identity was not positively known. Bibb was separated from his mother at a very young age and hired out to other slave owners for most of his childhood. Always yearning for his freedom, he made his first escape from slavery in 1842. He was recaptured and escaped, recaptured and escaped over and over; but he never gave up on his desire to be a man in control of his own destiny.

Bibb eventually escaped the bondage of servitude for good and dedicated his life to speaking out against the institution of slavery. In the process he helped others obtain their freedom. He published Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, and American Slave in 1849 telling the story of his daily life as a slave, as a runaway and as a free man. He also illustrated the depravity of that “man-destroying system” and the “idea of utter helplessness in perpetual bondage.”

Bibb stated in his Author's Preface that there were other very popular slave narratives published before his own; nevertheless, the uniqueness of his story is in the details of his experiences which, like the others, shine a glaringly truthful beam of light on the sins of this nation. Ultimately Bibb made his way to Canada where in 1851 he published the first black newspaper of that Country, Voice of the Fugitive. He died in 1854 at the age of 39. (Introduction by James K. White) (5 hr 19 min)

Chapters

Introduction; Report; Author's Preface 29:00 Read by James K. White
Chapter I 10:59 Read by James K. White
Chapter II 18:40 Read by James K. White
Chapter III 21:01 Read by James K. White
Chapter IV 16:05 Read by James K. White
Chapter V 21:45 Read by James K. White
Chapter VI 18:13 Read by James K. White
Chapter VII 16:53 Read by James K. White
Chapter VIII 11:11 Read by James K. White
Chapter IX 14:50 Read by James K. White
Chapter X 10:12 Read by James K. White
Chapter XI 15:34 Read by James K. White
Chapter XII 17:05 Read by James K. White
Chapter XIII 12:46 Read by James K. White
Chapter XIV 11:12 Read by James K. White
Chapter XV 11:14 Read by James K. White
Chapter XVI 14:57 Read by James K. White
Chapter XVII 20:09 Read by James K. White
Chapter XVIII 9:00 Read by James K. White
Chapter XIX 8:45 Read by James K. White
Chapter XX 9:51 Read by James K. White

Reviews

Another story descriptive of the Antebellum Era,


(5 stars)

The reader is clarion, smooth and relaxing to listen to. The story pulls one into the travesty of slavery and the Antebellum Era.

essential American education


(5 stars)

Well spoken, this harrowing and formative tale will never be forgotten. Our history of slavery has never been fully metabolized. This narrative is essential reading.


(5 stars)

Great book and can I say that it was read beautifully I was easily able to get into the book.


(5 stars)

heartwrenching, insightful, and a fair autobiographical story. Would recommend for Middle School reading.

Extremely well read and a sincere account of life as a slave.


(5 stars)

great glimpse into history. well written and read.


(5 stars)