In 1841, Solomon Northup was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Twelve years later, Northup retells his accounts in his memoir Twelve Years A Slave. Director Steve McQueen adapted Northup’s memoir in a major motion picture of the same title; now in the race for multiple Academy Awards. Although the book and film share a biography, each uses different conventions of storytelling. There is an elegant tone in Northup’s first person narrative. A diplomatic tone is sustained throughout the memoir, allowing the piece to act as a political voice of 1853. McQueen’s compelling take on the story gives us a visual outlook on slavery. Mr. Solomon Northup’s memoir opens with a preface by white lawyer and legislator, David Wilson. His preface grants the book credibility by stating, “Unbiased by any prepossessions or prejudices, the only object of the editor has been to give a faithful history of Solomon Northup's life, as he received it from his lips (page XV).” Compared to many autobiographies issued today, a credible preface was not unheard of during 1853 when many slaves’ stories were being documented. Northup gives permission to the reader to perceive his story as truth or fable in his first chapter: “My object is, to give a candid and truthful statement of facts: to repeat the story of my life, without exaggeration, leaving it for others to determine, whether even the pages of fiction present a picture of more cruel wrong or a severer bondage (page 18).” The author trusts his readers to learn from his story. In conjuncture, the tonal attitude Mr. Northup conveys in his writing is well mannered and diplomatic. His words describe each sorrowful scene very vividly while still keeping conciliatory conversation. Solomon refers to the Christian God throughout the piece either “begging for mercy” or “asking for strength” relating to the white religion making his words much powerful (page 77). The author paints his situations