Spotlight

Great books that changed society.

Diary of a Young Girl

Written by Anne Frank

Edited by Otto H. Frank & Mirjam Pressler

Translated by B. M. (Barbara Mary) Mooyaart & Susan Massotty

Introduction by Eleanor Roosevelt

Both versions of the 1952 and the 1995 editions were translated and published in English by Doubleday (a division of the Penguin Random House Group) in the United States. Additional versions are available in multiple languages from various print publishers.

Teenage Anne Frank became the voice of a generation immediately after the initial publication of her memoir in Europe in 1947 with her riveting account of the war years in Amsterdam from 1942-1944 that ended in tragedy. Her diary forced changes in society forever by exposing acceptable events of religious hatred that had been previously ignored publicly. Today, Anne Frank’s diary has been ranked officially as the second highest-selling book worldwide, selling almost one billion copies to date, second only to the Bible. Frank’s diary has been published in almost every country across the globe and has also been filmed as a movie several times. Both the original and definitive editions of Diary of a Young Girl are not available currently at the Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library due to present copyright restrictions. New and used copies of either edition can be purchased from various online venues in multiple formats in the United States and worldwide. Copies are available at most local public libraries in multiple hardcover and paperback versions as well from various existing editions initially published in English in 1952 and 1995.

For more info about Anne Frank please visit www.annefrank.org

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Written by Harriet Jacobs under the name Linda Brent

Edited by Lydia Maria Child

With a Commentary on Harriet Jacobs by Amy Post

First published in 1861 for the author.

This memoir, written about the horrific experiences of the nightmare that was American slavery throughout the nineteenth century opened eyes everywhere about the truth that had remained hidden for almost three centuries. Harriet Jacobs created an indelible account of her experiences and the experiences of others who had lived through unbelievable torment at the hands of Christians pretending to be human beings before slavery was officially abolished in the United States in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln. This book is considered one of the most important must-read documents ever published of which led to important social changes in America. The original 1861 edition of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is available free (for download in PDF or reading online) from the Nancy Hanks Lincoln Public Library in the American Slavery section under the Books tab. New copies of this book can also be purchased from various online venues in multiple digital formats as well as hardcover and paperback print editions. It should be noted some republished editions of Incidents have been edited and revised by present-day publishers for unspecified reasons with some additional material added or select words changed.

For more info about Harriet Jacobs please visit www.harrietjacobs.org