Master Slave Husband Wife

An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom

By: Ilyon Woo

Narrated by: Janina Edwards, Leon Nixon

Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Biography

“A rich narrative of the Crafts, an enslaved couple who escaped from Georgia in 1848, with light-skinned Ellen disguised as a disabled white gentleman and William as her manservant, exploiting assumptions about race, class, and disability to hide in public on their journey to the North, where they became famous abolitionists while evading bounty hunters.” —The Pulitzer Prizes

Named one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, The New Yorker, Time, NPR, Smithsonian Magazine, and Oprah Daily

In 1848, a year of international democratic revolt, a young, enslaved couple, Ellen and William Craft, achieved one of the boldest feats of self-emancipation in American history. Posing as master and slave, while sustained by their love as husband and wife, they made their escape together across more than 1,000 miles, riding out in the open on steamboats, carriages, and trains that took them from bondage in Georgia to the free states of the North.

Along the way, they dodged slave traders, military officers, and even friends of their enslavers, who might have revealed their true identities. The tale of their adventure soon made them celebrities, and generated headlines around the country. Americans could not get enough of this charismatic young couple, who traveled another 1,000 miles criss-crossing New England, drawing thunderous applause as they spoke alongside some of the greatest abolitionist luminaries of the day—among them Frederick Douglass and William Wells Brown.

But even then, they were not out of danger. With the passage of an infamous new Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, all Americans became accountable for returning refugees like the Crafts to slavery. Then yet another adventure began, as slave hunters came up from Georgia, forcing the Crafts to flee once again—this time from the United States, their lives and thousands more on the line and the stakes never higher.

With three epic journeys compressed into one monumental bid for freedom, Master Slave Husband Wife is an American love story—one that would challenge the nation’s core precepts of life, liberty, and justice for all—one that challenges us even now.

©2023 Ilyon Woo. All rights reserved. (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lover of documentaries

Never tiring of a good documentary, this book certainly fulfilled. A constant desire to better understand our true history that is to often screened for covering up or washing over unpleasantries, so that we may ALL better become the free … a nation for the people and by the people, as our forefathers and foremothers envisioned.

An incredible journey to freedom

This story was well written and narrated. Although an historical and biographical account of the Krafts it an exciting story of ingenuity, perseverance and love infused with adventure and danger. All very real. If you are a student of history this is an important read.

Informative

Originally I wished it was in narrative form but it was good for its information

Gave a ton more insight into their narrative

This have so much more insight into their journey and into the “after” of Running 1000 Miles to Freedom. Historically spot-on and well narrated.

The story of a young black couple who escape from slavery and live in the north.

I loved the story of this couple who became activists for the banning of slavery. Their children and descendants also were exceptional people.

Incredible

I’ve never really delved into a personal account of slavery. Watching “Roots” on TV was the extent of it. This brought me close to the Crafts. I found their story incredible, amazing, and triumphant. But the backdrop of slavery casts such a profound pall on the region and our nation. MSHW is a must-read/listen.

Riveting and detailed narrative

Makes the reading a powerful experience, learning while sitting on the edge of my seat!

The female narrator was pretty awful

For no clear reason, the narration of this book was done by a man for certain chapters and a woman by other chapters. This was not done for dialogue, but just for different chapters. The man was good, but the woman was pretty awful. Parts of her narration involved French pronunciations she had no ability to do. Other parts of her narration required an English accent, but she could not do that either. Instead, she substituted an American southern accent for an English accent. The producers should have just stuck with the male narrator. The story itself was very good and the writing was excellent.

Absolutely fascinating

Riveting history, perfectly delivered as narrative nonfiction, both inspiring and painful. I thank you.

Essential reading.

A journey of exceptional interest that should be read by all to help understand the national tragedy, which continues today, albeit in covert guise.