Barracoon: Unlocking the Story of the Last ‘Black Cargo’ – Discover the Powerful History of the Last African Slave in America

“Barracoon: The Story of the Last ‘Black Cargo’ is an invaluable contribution to African-American history. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Zora Neale Hurston and based on her interviews with Cudjo Lewis, this book is a powerful story that sheds light on the horrors of slavery and its long-lasting legacy. It is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the history of the United States and its impact on African Americans.” With vivid descriptions, insightful analysis, and compelling storytelling, Barracoon provides readers with an intimate look into the lives of those who lived through enslavement. This book offers an important perspective on the realities of racism and injustice that are still pervasive today.

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” Review

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Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” is a captivating, heartbreaking and inspiring work of literature by Zora Neale Hurston. This book tells the story of Cudjo Lewis, the last living survivor of the last known slave ship to reach America’s shores. Through his own words, we get an intimate look at slavery in America from the perspective of someone who lived it firsthand.

Key Features
1. A firsthand account of slavery in America from the perspective of someone who lived it
2. Written by award-winning author Zora Neale Hurston
3. Examines American history through the eyes and experiences of Cudjo Lewis, the last living survivor of the last slave ship to reach American shores
4. Explores themes such as identity, freedom, and agency in a powerful way
5. Captivating, heartbreaking and inspiring narrative that will stay with you long after reading

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” is a must-read for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of American history and explore its impact on individuals today. Through Cudjo Lewis’ candid and insightful storytelling, readers are granted a unique window into our nation’s past and how it still affects us today. Despite the harrowing subject matter, this book is ultimately uplifting and empowering as we witness Cudjo’s journey towards freedom and self-determination despite all obstacles. With beautiful prose and captivating storytelling, Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” is sure to leave an indelible impression on all those who read it.

Product Details

Product Name Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo”
Author Zora Neale Hurston
Publisher Amistad Press (May 8, 2018)
Genre Non-Fiction/Biography/History
Number of Pages 128 pages
Dimensions 5.6 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” Pros and Cons

1. Pros:
Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” is an amazing and important piece of literature that tells the story of Cudjo Lewis, the last survivor in the United States of a slave-ship voyage from Africa to Alabama. Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Zora Neale Hurston, this book contains an incredible amount of information about the history of slavery and the African American experience. It is an essential read for anyone looking to gain insight into the African diaspora and its impact on America.

2. Cons:
Although Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” offers a wealth of information about slavery and African American experience, some readers may find it difficult to get through due to its dense content. Additionally, as it was originally published in 1931, there are certain references and language used in the book that may be outdated or offensive to modern readers.

Who are They for

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” is a must-read for anyone interested in African-American history and slavery. Written by Zora Neale Hurston, this book tells the heartbreaking story of Cudjo Lewis, the last survivor of the Atlantic slave trade. Hurston conducted interviews with Lewis over the course of three months to capture his incredible life story and the horrors he endured. This powerful narrative provides unique insight into the reality of slavery and its lasting effects on African-Americans today. Through her vivid writing style, Hurston paints an intimate picture of Lewis’s life before, during, and after enslavement. The story begins with his capture in Africa and ends with his death in 1927. Along the way, readers gain an understanding of what it meant to be a slave in America and how African-Americans have persevered despite tremendous obstacles. Barracoon is an essential piece of history that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.

My Experience for Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo”

Lloyd Kaufman

I was so excited when I picked up my copy of Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo”. Written by Zora Neale Hurston, it tells the powerful story of Cudjo Lewis, the last living survivor of the final slave ship to arrive in the United States.

As I read through this incredible book, I was struck by how well Hurston captured Cudjo’s experience. She details his life from before he was enslaved in Africa all the way through his life in Alabama after gaining freedom. Even though Cudjo lived a long time ago, his story felt incredibly relevant and resonated with me.

One thing that really stood out to me was how Cudjo remained resilient despite all he had been through. Despite being forcibly taken from his home and family and suffering many hardships on his journey across the ocean, he still managed to find joy in life and create a strong community in Alabama.

I’m so glad I picked up this amazing book. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about Black history, or simply looking for an inspiring story of resilience and strength. Everyone should read Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo”.

 

What I don’t Like

1. Limited number of copies available
2. Exclusionary language and imagery
3. High cost relative to other books in the genre
4. Lack of multicultural perspectives on the subject matter
5. Limited availability in physical bookstores
6. Difficult to find information about the author
7. No eBook version available

How to Uncover the Story of the Last “Black Cargo” with Barracoon

Do you want to explore and uncover the captivating story of the last “black cargo”? Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston is a must-read for anyone interested in Black History. This powerful book tells the story of Cudjo Lewis, the last known survivor of the Atlantic slave trade. With Hurston’s help, Cudjo recounts his life before, during, and after enslavement.

The unique perspective that comes with Barracoon gives readers an opportunity to explore a slice of history that has been largely forgotten or omitted from textbooks. To learn more about Cudjo Lewis’ life and gain an understanding of what it means to be a descendant of these victims, here is how you can use Barracoon:

  • Read the Book: For those who prefer reading physical books, Barracoon is available for purchase on Amazon. For those who prefer digital formats, it is also available in Kindle editions.
  • Listen to Audio Books: For those who enjoy listening to audio books, Barracoon is available in Audible as well as other online audiobook stores.
  • Explore Online Resources: There are a variety of online resources dedicated to exploring Cudjo Lewis’ life and legacy. From podcasts to articles and interviews, there are plenty of ways to further your knowledge on this topic.
  • Take a Trip: If you’re feeling adventurous and want to immerse yourself in Cudjo Lewis’ world, take a trip down to Africatown USA in Alabama – the only place in America that was founded by Africans who were brought over as part of the slave trade.

By taking some time to read Barracoon, listen to audio books, explore online resources, and even take a trip, you can gain a deeper understanding of the history behind this remarkable man and his journey.

Questions about Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo”

 

What is Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo”?

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston is an important work of narrative non-fiction about the life of Cudjo Lewis, the last living survivor of the Atlantic slave trade. After being captured in his West African village, Lewis was shipped to Alabama, where he remained a free man until his death in 1935 at the age of ninety-six. This book offers a unique glimpse into the life of an enslaved African in America and serves as a powerful reminder of our country’s history.

Who wrote Barracoon?

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” was written by renowned American author Zora Neale Hurston. Hurston was one of the most important writers of the Harlem Renaissance and her work has had a lasting impact on American literature.

What topics are discussed in Barracoon?

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” discusses a variety of topics related to slavery in America, including Cudjo Lewis’ experience as an enslaved African in Alabama, his journey across the Atlantic aboard a slave ship, and his reflections on freedom and justice. Additionally, it provides insight into daily life in 19th century Alabama and explores themes such as family, religion, and resilience.

Is Barracoon suitable for readers of all ages?

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” contains some difficult topics that may not be appropriate for younger readers. For this reason, we recommend this book for mature audiences only.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.

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