The Narrative of Sojourner Truth


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.2 stars; 54 reviews)

The Narrative of Sojourner Truth is the gripping autobiographical account of Sojourner Truths life as a slave in pre-Civil War New York State, and her eventual escape to Freedom. Since Sojourner could neither read or write, she dictated her story to Olive Gilbert after they met at a Women’s Rights rally. The Narrative was first published in 1850, and was widely distributed by the Abolitionist Movement. It was one of the catalysts for the rise of anti-slavery public opinion in the years leading up to the Civil War. Though Olive Gilbert's writing about Sojourner takes on a patronizing tone at times (a weakness of some Abolitionists), The Narrative of Sojourner Truth remains a moving and historic document, chronicling the struggles of African-Americans under slavery and the life of a truly remarkable woman. (Introduction by Marc Kockinos) (4 hr 23 min)

Chapters

01 - HER BIRTH AND PARENTAGE 2:12 Read by Marc Kockinos
02 - ACCOMMODATIONS 2:53 Read by Marc Kockinos
03 - HER BROTHERS AND SISTERS 3:28 Read by Marc Kockinos
04 - HER RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION 3:20 Read by Marc Kockinos
05 - THE AUCTION 4:00 Read by Marc Kockinos
06 - DEATH OF MAU-MAU BETT 2:48 Read by Marc Kockinos
07 - LAST DAYS OF BOMEFREE 5:40 Read by Marc Kockinos
08 - DEATH OF BOMEFREE 3:32 Read by Marc Kockinos
09 - COMMENCEMENT OF ISABELLA'S TRIALS IN LIFE 4:06 Read by LALaird4
10 - TRIALS CONTINUED 4:12 Read by godsownfool
11 - HER STANDING WITH HER NEW MASTER AND MISTRESS 13:24 Read by godsownfool
12 - ISABELLA'S MARRIAGE 3:07 Read by godsownfool
13 - ISABELLA AS A MOTHER 3:44 Read by godsownfool
14 - SLAVEHOLDER'S PROMISES 4:09 Read by Ann Boulais
15 - HER ESCAPE 5:49 Read by Ann Boulais
16 - ILLEGAL SALE OF HER SON 5:10 Read by Ann Boulais
17 - IT IS OFTEN DARKEST JUST BEFORE DAWN 24:08 Read by Sundiata
18 - DEATH OF MRS. ELIZA FOWLER 11:02 Read by Sundiata
19 - ISABELLA'S RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE 37:37 Read by Sundiata
20 - NEW TRIALS 12:06 Read by metgmz
21 - FINDING A BROTHER AND SISTER 4:13 Read by metgmz
22 - GLEANINGS 12:51 Read by Lucretia B.
23 - THE MATTHIAS DELUSION 20:10 Read by Lucretia B.
24 - FASTING 2:19 Read by Cori Samuel
25 - THE CAUSE OF HER LEAVING THE CITY 10:56 Read by Cori Samuel
26 - THE CONSEQUENCES OF REFUSING A TRAVELLER A NIGHT'S LODGING 10:52 Read by Sundiata
27 - SOME OF HER VIEWS AND REASONINGS 7:53 Read by Sundiata
28 - THE SECOND ADVENT DOCTRINES 13:33 Read by Sundiata
29 - ANOTHER CAMP-MEETING 17:29 Read by Linda Velwest
30 - LAST INTERVIEW WITH HER MASTER 3:45 Read by Linda Velwest
31 - CERTIFICATES OF CHARACTER 3:06 Read by Linda Velwest

Reviews

more about religious beliefs than slavery


(4 stars)

the readers all did a decent job. so slower than others, some with out of place character voices. but on the whole, clear and understandable. this account is not so much about her life as a slave as it is about how an uneducated person gains knowledge of the bible and comes to her own understandings rather than leaning on mans understanding. if you are reading it for historical value or an insight on slavery - there isnt much to it. but if religion and bible truths appeal to you, then you may be like me and very VERY impressed at how this womans common sense gained her bible wisdom. i especially appreciated the fact that she preferred children to read her scriptures, because she didnt like adults giving her their explanation on scriptures when read.


(4 stars)

Great book! What a powerful life story! Definitely worth listening to. Most of the recording was great, except for the lady that read the last few chapters of the book and another lady that read a couple chapters in the middle of the book. Both of them, but especially the lady at the end of the book, read Sojourner’s voice in an almost mocking fashion. I’m sure they were trying to impersonate the Sojourner’s voice as a poor, uneducated former slave woman in the early 1800’s, but it came across as mocking and very annoying. The rest of the readers were great to listen to.


(5 stars)

The content of this book is a treasure to have. The readers illuminate the spiritual construct of a uniquely focused and trained individual. I am thankful for LibriVox and their choice to continue its work and bring to light wonderful characters like Lady Sojourner Truth

starts off great


(1.5 stars)

I’m grateful for LibriVox volunteers, but there are too many narrators on this piece. The character “voices” of the last narrator made it unpleasant for me. Very distracting from what was probably a good story.


(3.5 stars)

interesting book. kinda rough jumping from one reader to another. some were harder to understand than others.


(5 stars)

all but Simon were excellent reader, he was difficult to understand through awkward pauses

ediying! if we all lived like her! Sin=diminshed. Truth=Shine!!


(5 stars)