A comprehensive introductory essay by preeminent slavery historian Ira Berlin, chapters on aspects of slave life, including relationships with owners, work, family culture, the Civil War, and Emancipation; complete transcript of the live recordings and dramatic readings of iterviews with former slaves, contained on the companion tapes (not included); extensive additional interviews with former slaves; little-known period photographs.

"Published in conjunction with the Library of Congress as a companion to the Smithsonian Production's radio documentary"--Cover. Foreword by Robin D.G. Kelley. This book is accompanied by two sixty-minute audio tapes of live recordings and dramatic readings."

Slavery as memory and history -- The faces of power: slaves and owners -- Work and slave life -- Family life in slavery -- Slave culture -- Slaves no more: Civil War and the coming of freedom -- Appendixes.