The Interesting Account of Olaudah EquianoOlaudah Equiano, a native of the African province of Eboe and author of the interesting account lived the cruel and inhumane life of a slave. From the age of eleven, when he was kidnapped by slave traders, until the age of 21, he was subjected to a lifestyle so harsh that he often considered death as an attractive alternative. Many of his countrymen, who lived the same, if not worse, lifestyle, actually chose death to escape the brutally barbaric and tortured treatment that was the life of a slave. The engaging narrative expands on Equiano's experiences and guides the reader through the humiliating reality of a man's life. Most importantly, the memoir contained within speaks to Equiano's character, his strength in the face of adversity, his undying faith in God, and his incredible determination in adverse situations. He confronted slavery on several fronts, in his native Africa, the West Indies, Europe and America. Although the treatment he received and the people he encountered differed, he suffered from each with two guiding principles: "do unto all men as you would have them do unto you" and "honesty is the best policy” (119). Through his admirable characteristics as a man and the unenviable experiences he endured during his life, Equiano's views on slavery, the slave trade, and the nature of man reinforce the truth according to which no man is meant to be treated as slaves and he who invokes slavery is simply a disgrace to the human race under God, regardless of their social stature. As a young boy in Eboe, Olaudah was exposed to slavery among his own people. His father, being an Embrenche or chief of the province, who decided disputes and punished crimes, with an assembly of the other chiefs, often punished those guilty of adultery, kidnapping or other heinous crimes until the slavery or death. On other occasions, the people of Eboe were forced to fight to defend their lands against other provinces or districts. Prisoners captured in these "wars" were forced to live as slaves and were sometimes sold or exchanged with foreigners; however, “they did not do more work than other members of the community.” “Their food, clothing, and lodgings were much the same” and in fact, “some slaves even had slaves under their command” (40). It cannot be claimed that this is benevolent treatment, to detain ...... middle of paper ......having allowed his son at the age of 14 battleship men to the simple request from the captain. The master would present his own parents in a different light. Like all of us. That being said, although slavery is abolished and injustice of this magnitude is very rarely encountered, it is quite obvious that the constitution of man and his inherent nature remains, but more tamed over time . Olaudah Equiano suffered an unwanted fate of torture, cruelty and pain from the age of eleven, when he was deprived of his liberty. “Life had lost its taste when freedom had disappeared” (120), but with great determination, great strength in the face of adversity and, above all, faith in God, he survived his oppression. His next book, The Interesting Narrative, recounts his life and the arguments he developed against slavery, the slave trade, as well as the knowledge he acquired about the nature of man. Today his thoughts are shared by many, slavery was a great injustice to an entire race and the trading of these individuals in a free market was an inhumane act committed by men, 1995.