This excerpt from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789) opens with Equiano's famous (and probably invented) account of life in Benin. It's a moving story of danger and betrayal and a cornerstone of the abolitionist movement. Equiano was kidnapped and sold into slavery, served in the Royal Navy, was shipped off to the West Indies and ended his days as a famous author, married with children in England.  (USA165, $10.00)