My Life in the South

by Jacob Stroyer, E.S. Atwood (Introduction), Jacob Stroyer

Born into slavery in 1849, My Life in the South is Jacob Stroyer's engrossing first hand look at his life as a slave. After the Civil War, Stroyer moved to Salem, Massachusetts and became a minister. A much sought-after speaker, he was urged by listeners to write down his memories. Originally published in 1879 when he was thirty, this is a fascinating collection of stories about the training, discipline and burdens the slave had to bear as well as some of the customs of slaves and southern society.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1879

About the author

Jacob Stroyer (1849 - February 7, 1908) was an African-American former slave who became a preacher in Massachusetts. He is best known for his autobiography, My Life in the South.

Reviews

[Charles van Buren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles van Buren

TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Written in an engaging style

Overall, this autobiographical book seems mostly reliable but the following quote from the introduction gives a good idea of what to expect. "Mr. Stroyer's book is a setting forth in a fresh and unique manner of the old and bitter wrongs of American slavery." Of course. There was little market for anything else and, as related in the introduction, Stroyer wrote this volume to make money. Money for a worthy cause, but still written to make money which required at least a degree of sensationalism. However it is not as strident and lecturing as many similar books.

Details of his time in the Confederate labor force would, undoubtedly, have been interesting. However, he says very little about it other than that he was glad to be sent there, he was able to continue his education, and he was wounded. All in all, another book on the evils of American slavery, not slavery as a general concept but specifically American slavery.

Not a bad choice for Black History Month. Of course almost anything by Thomas Sowell would be an even better choice.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an honest and straight forward memoir of a former servant in the Old South. The author does not pull any punches on his opinions, observations, and memories of his years as a servant and subsequent freedom. I recommend reading this book for students of nineteenth century history.

[Ian Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob Stroyer’s My Life in the South is a short but powerful memoir that can easily be read in a single sitting. Despite its brevity, the book delivers a visceral and moving account of life under slavery in the decade leading up to and during the American Civil War. Stroyer’s firsthand perspective lays bare the cruelty and inhumanity of the slave system, offering readers a rare and honest look at the daily realities faced by enslaved people.

One particularly engaging and haunting aspect of the narrative is Stroyer's description of how enslaved laborers were forced to construct and maintain Confederate fortifications with utter disregard for their health and safety. These vivid scenes underscore the broader theme of exploitation of enslaved labor and lives.

[Rose the Book Mouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stroyer is a good story teller, who offers brief but interesting remembrances of his childhood and adolescence as a slave in South Carolina. Other than his own experiences, he gives us a few heresay anecdotes, too, which fill out his memoire of living in the culture of southern slavery. The final chapters are about his experiences as a slave on the battlegrounds of the civil war. This book is a quick read, but interesting, emotional, and educational.

[John Yelverton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book, but my guard went up from the start, when by the author's own admission, he wrote this book to raise money for his education. Soon I discovered that it felt no different than the sensationalism of other period autobiographies like John Wesley Hardin's autobiography. I have no way of differentiating fact from sensationalized fact or even fiction. Needless to say, I was very disappointed.

[Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engagingly written, Mr Stoyer tells the difficult life of a slave in the antebellum South. His detailed anecdotes make his writing accessible for a variety of readers. As a former English teacher, I feel this would be a perfect companion for students studying slavery or memoir writing in either a history or English class.

[Crissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ideal historiography of this nation's hypocrisy of unreal democracy.

Many little known facts offer rare illustrations of our nation's true debt to Blacks who died in captivity while fighting to keep white "masters" free.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stroyer’s account of his life of enslavement and freedom is notable for the numerous vignettes he writes about people, places, and moments. It helps me understand the relationship not only between the enslaved and the slavers, but also inside the enslaved community.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, engaging, especially of local interest to Charleston, SC

[Briayna Cuffie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much to be analyzed here. Straightforward observations, solid vocabulary for someone who had been enslaved, and a decent variety of memories and interactions.

[Nancy Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye. Opening.

[Kaley C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good reference / firsthand account of an enslaved man. Great for any interpreter/ historian looking for a rich and rare primary resource from this time, featuring a Black voice.

[Shannon L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read if interested in African American history before and during the Civil War.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a rare opportunity to read about the slave experience first hand. I've been to the plantation where Jacob Stroyer was enslaved so it was even more fascinating. I was particularly struck by his strong belief in God despite everything he witnessed and went through.

[Carol Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye-opening first person account of slave life in the US in the 1800's. Stroyer recounts his childhood and young adult years pre-emancipation. His memories include the treatment of enslaved family members and friends.

[Banning Ard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good first hand account of the hard life of the slaves.

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for personal research - found this book's contents helpful and inspiring.
A good book for the researcher and enthusiast.

[Geno DiMaria]

Should be required reading for all Americans.