The Freedom Business

Venture Smith's autobiography, a slave narrative first published in 1798, appears on the left-hand pages of this volume. Smith was the son of a Guinean prince, then slave to various American men, and eventually a free man-owner of one hundred acres of land and three houses. Juxtaposed with and inspired by his story are Marilyn Nelson's poems, which appear on the right-hand pages. Watercolor, ink, collage, and acrylic paintings illustrate both the narrative and the poems. Includes a preface to the poems and an artist's note.