Contrary to some revisionist historians, many of the books before and during the Civil War depicted slavery as a central issue from which everything else sprang… so, how did the abolition of slavery become so central a theme to Abraham Lincoln’s vision of a new America? Here is one book that had an influence.
Captain James Riley was the subject of a documentary presented on the History Channel and available for purchase for roughly $24.95. The feature is called “Skeletons on the Sahara.” And there is a book out by the same name.
Here’s how the History Channel refers to Captain Rileys adventures:
“In 1815, a Connecticut merchant ship is run aground off the west coast of Africa. Captured by Arab nomads, Captain James Riley and his crew are sold into brutal slavery and marched across the Sahara Desert, where skin boils, lips blacken and men shrivel to less than 90 pounds. Along the way the Americans will encounter everything that could possibly test them, but Riley and his men will also discover ancient cities, secret oases and a culture largely unknown to the modern world. We’ll take viewers inside the adventure, with realistic recreations shot on location and compelling interviews with descendants of Riley, his crew and the Arabs who held them captive. Includes expert commentary from Dean King, author of the bestselling book of the same name.”
Now, the History Channel did a wonderful job in presenting Captain James Riley’s story… 
however, there is something very special and rare in reading from original work from which the presentation was based.
Originally published in 1817, I was able to obtain an 1836 copy of his revised edition…. or what folks refer to as a ‘working copy’ ( useful for study… but broken in some way). In any event, I was very very grateful to obtain one. However, you can buy a recent printing on Amazon.com.
Just for you, I have set up a page with selected pictures from my copy along with a couple of memorable passages… one passage is on the ritual of circumcision among Jews and Arabs in North Africa… and another passage by the author calling for the ending of slavery in the United States.
Interestingly enough, I found several accounts that Abraham Lincoln had read Riley’s Narrative … and a reference stating that Lincoln held the book in high regard… listing Riley’s narrative among some of his favorites… Pilgrim’s Progress and the Bible.
I have always enjoyed reading history through the eyes of those who lived it.. be it Herodotus or Captain Riley. An amazingly easy read.
Roger Freberg
Hmmmm… Do iPods cause brain cancer? I don’t think so… I also don’t think they are a good source of Iron…. so I’ll go on a limb and advise you to not to eat them.
