Equiano's Travels: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa the African

Olaudah Equiano's capture by slave-traders at the age of ten took him from life in what is now Eastern Nigeria and thrust him on a fateful journey that would submerge him in an incomprehensible world. He emerged a gifted writer and has provided insights into centuries of slave trading and why the relationship between black and white seems always in favor of white. First published in 1789, Equiano's engaging narrative, written in English, describes his life before and after his capture; looking forward to recognition as a descendant of a chief; working on slave ships; traveling to the southern states of America, the West Indies, Europe, and the Arctic; and fighting a war. He eventually grew to be an extremely confident man who, even in the worst slavery imaginable, never lost his sense of purpose or his humanity. After buying his freedom, he was an ardent supporter of abolishing slavery. Written with a sense of literary history, Equiano's account corrects wrong impressions about Africa and explores what it is like for an African to find himself suddenly alien in a world that considers Africans as not quite human.

Other titles by African writers from Waveland Press:

Ba, So Long a Letter (ISBN 9781577668060)

Beti, The Poor Christ of Bomba (ISBN 9781577664185)

Emecheta, Kehinde (ISBN 9781577664192)

Head, The Collector of Treasures and Other Botswana Village Tales (ISBN 9781478607601)

Head, Maru (ISBN 9781478607618)

Head, When Rain Clouds Gather (ISBN 9781478607595)

La Guma, In the Fog of the Seasons' End (ISBN 9781478600251)

Marechera, The House of Hunger (ISBN 9781478604730)

Mofolo, Chaka (ISBN 9781478607151)

Ngugi-Mugo, The Trial of Dedan Kimathi (ISBN 9781478611318)

Nwapa, Efuru (ISBN 9781478611011)

Oyono, Houseboy (ISBN 9781577669883)

Oyono, The Old Man and the Medal (ISBN 9781478609582)

p'Bitek, Song of Lawino & Song of Ocol (ISBN 9781478604723)

Plaatje, Mhudi (ISBN 9781478609575)

Rifaat, Distant Views of a Minaret and Other Short Stories (ISBN 9781478611288)