The African

By: Harold Courlander

Narrated by: Peter Francis James

The African is Harold Courlander’s critically-acclaimed novel of the slave trade as seen through the eyes of Hwesuhunu. An insightful journey through the volatile frontiers of American slavery, this unforgettable story is the riveting primary source for Alex Haley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Roots. Hwesuhunu’s life is portrayed in heartbreaking detail. Starting with his capture by French slave traders and the horrors of the Middle Passage, The African recounts his heroic fight for survival while shipwrecked on the island of Saint Lucia, his enslavement on a Georgia plantation, and his fate-driven quest for freedom as a runaway. Throughout these ordeals, Courlander passionately and eloquently conveys the full panorama of Hwesuhunu’s emotions, from the desperate confusion over his plight to his consuming search for his life’s meaning. Peter Francis James’ deeply resonant voice brings Courlander’s masterful prose to life with power and purpose.

©1993 Harold Courlander (P)1996 Recorded Books, LLC

stunning

one of the best books I've ever listened to. will read again. characters authentically understood by the author

Picks up nicely

The first 3 or 4 hours are painful. It’s not that it’s not an engaging story but the presentation the narrator chose. Once we hits land it changes and becomes very engaging but I almost gave up before that. Good story

Awesome!

I actually read this book years before Roots. Love Haley. But, this book was the first description of the slave experience that moved me realize that all ethnic groups have been enslaved from Jesus times to today. The title "The African" describes a people, a place, a culture with art, dance, ritual, Spirit, war. Slavery in the USA crippled folks for generations. And yet, a white wrote about the "business" of Slavery with compassion and truth! I am Igbo. He recreates the dignity of THE AFRICAN.

Tragically beautiful

this story.. I so wanted there to be a happy ending.. that he would find Agagane or at least Ohio.. being a black American, this story spoke to my soul . I so wanted Hwesuhunu to defy the odds and somehow make it. I feel like Wes is my spirit ancestor sharing his story with me.

A Beautiful Story

From beginning to end you can't help but feel all the emotions. At times hard to listen to, but the story of survival is inspiring.