The Narrative of Robert Adams, A Barbary Captive
A Critical Edition

First published in 1816, Robert Adams's story is here examined in its historical context.

Robert Adams (Author), Charles Adams (Edited by)

9780521842846, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 October 2005

252 pages, 4 b/w illus. 2 maps 3 tables
23.5 x 15.8 x 2 cm, 0.463 kg

'From an Africanist point of view the book's strengths lie rather in the fact that it assembles not only the original text, … but also two contemporary essays published in the North American Review the following year. The book is enjoyable to read, the preface includes useful background information, and the index is helpful.' The Journal of African History

First published in London in 1816, The Narrative of Robert Adams is an account of the adventures of Robert Adams, an African American seaman who survives shipwreck, slavery, and brutal efforts to convert him to Islam, before being ransomed to the British consul. In London, Adams is discovered by the Company of Merchants Trading which publishes his story, into which Adams inserts a fantastical account of a trip to Timbuctoo. Adams's story is accompanied by contemporary essays and notes that place his experience in the context of European exploration of Africa at the time, and weigh his credibility against other contemporary accounts. Professor Adams's introduction examines Adams's credibility in light of modern knowledge of Africa and discusses the significance of his story in relation to the early nineteenth century interest in Timbuctoo, and to the literary genres of the slave narrative and the Barbary Captivity narrative.

1. Preface
2. Bibliography
3. Acknowledgments
4. The Narrative of Robert Adams
5. Interior of Africa (North American Review, May 1817)
6. Article IX. The Narrative of Robert Adams: a review essay by Jared Sparks (North American Review, July 1817).

Subject Areas: 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], African history [HBJH]