Generations of American history students grew up believing that slave rebellion was relatively rare, that slaves accepted their lot and became attached to their masters, and that they were ultimately liberated with little or no effort of their own. Liberally sprinkled with quotations from Civil War-era blacks, both slave and free, Breaking the Chains gives readers a well-researched look at the lives of real slaves. From their African abductions, through their brave resistance to harsh plantation owners, to their roles in the Civil War, their own indomitable spirits shine through as the driving force behind their emancipation.

Written by a teacher, world lecturer, and consultant to the Smithsonian Institution, this compelling look at history is an educational eye-opener for history buffs of all ages. Peter Francis James' vivid narration gives listeners the impression of being in the presence of firsthand witnesses to one of the most turbulent periods of U.S. history.