Fifty Years in Chains

Charles Ball provides gripping details of southern slavery before the Civil War. He tells how he was treated by planters and slaveholders; the conditions and treatment of other slaves; the perils and suffering of fugitive slaves. This inspiring story of courage is essential reading for students of American history and African-American studies

Library Journal

Initially released in 1837 as Slavery in the United States: A Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Charles Ball, Ball's volume discusses early 19th-century plantation life and his own and other slaves' treatment at the hands of planters and owners. This early insider's look at slavery is a valuable document for all collections. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.