Fifty Years in Chains; or The Life of an American Slave


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(4.6 stars; 114 reviews)

Fifty Years in Chains is a powerful memoir that recounts the harrowing experiences of Charles Ball, an American slave born in 1780. Through his own words, Ball shares the profound struggles and injustices he faced over five decades of enslavement, offering a rare and personal perspective on the brutal realities of life in bondage.

Dictated to a lawyer, this narrative not only chronicles Ball's life but also serves as a poignant testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Set against the backdrop of early 19th-century America, his story sheds light on the systemic oppression of slavery and the enduring quest for freedom.

With its unflinching honesty and historical significance, Fifty Years in Chains stands out as an essential work for those seeking to understand the complexities of American history and the personal toll of slavery. Ball's account is both a personal journey and a broader commentary on the fight for human rights.

Chapters

Select a chapter to play

Chapter 1 27:23 Read by Tom Causby
Chapter 2 43:04 Read by Tom Causby
Chapter 3 41:20 Read by Tom Causby
Chapter 4 30:38 Read by Salma Yasser
Chapter 5 24:26 Read by Salma Yasser
Chapter 6 20:52 Read by Maria Kasper
Chapter 7 29:35 Read by Maria Kasper
Chapter 8 7:55 Read by fiddlesticks
Chapter 9, part 1 31:51 Read by James K. White
Chapter 9, part 2 29:41 Read by James K. White
Chapter 10 29:55 Read by Guy Lederfein
Chapter 11, part 1 20:35 Read by James K. White
Chapter 11, part 2 21:35 Read by James K. White
Chapter 12 31:21 Read by Mike Pelton
Chapter 13 23:04 Read by Mike Pelton
Chapter 14, part 1 23:35 Read by Mike Pelton
Chapter 14, part 2 18:42 Read by Mike Pelton
Chapter 15 25:50 Read by Maria Kasper
Chapter 16 32:10 Read by Maria Kasper
Chapter 17 24:53 Read by Maria Kasper
Chapter 18, part 1 23:15 Read by Maria Kasper
Chapter 18, part 2 24:31 Read by Maria Kasper
Chapter 19 24:00 Read by Leith Atia
Chapter 20, part 1 19:47 Read by Maria Kasper
Chapter 20, part 2 17:50 Read by Maria Kasper

Reviews

Chapters 4&5???


(4 stars)

Why would anyone allow the lady reading chapters 4 & 5 to be used. At times she could have been reading in English Spanish or German and I would not have known the difference. Amazing book otherwise.

chapter 4&5


(5 stars)

Love this book. but the person who read in chapter 4&5 was painful my ears. I couldn't understand much she was saying. she didn't know how to pronounce some of the words and sounded like a beginner reader. but it was a great book.


(3 stars)

This is a good book and a great account of his life. I however had to skip chapter 4&5 I think it was, because I couldn't understand a word the reader said


(5 stars)

Great account of his life, regardless of chapters 4&5. The reader sounded as though she had a French accent and often times abstruse and ambiguous.

I've just finished chapter 5, and it is an interesting biography


(4 stars)

But chapter 4 and 5 is almost impossible to understand.


(5 stars)

One of the best books on Llbrivox!

Great Account


(5 stars)

amazing, honest, sad, story

fantastic Story well read


(5 stars)

... And I want to disagree with another reviewer about chapters 4 and 5. I very much LIKE the way these are red, and appreciate the woman's accent.