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Tim Vicary
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Nobody's Slave: a gripping historical novel based on true events Kindle Edition

by Tim Vicary (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,530 ratings
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Two boys meet on a voyage that transforms their lives.Madu, a young African, is captured by the English slave-trader, Sir John Hawkins. Tom Oakley is a young sailor in charge of the slaves. At first the two boys hate each other. Madu wants freedom, Tom seeks revenge for his cousin whom the Africans killed. But when their ship is sunk in a battle with the Spaniards, their roles are reversed, and Madu gains power over Tom. But both boys are enslaved, thousands of miles from home. Only by combining their efforts do they have any chance of freedom. This book is a WINNER of the Kindle Book Award 2014A fast-moving drama based on real historical events. History as you never learned it in school!'I read this book in one sitting. I could NOT put it down! I felt like I was watching a movie unfold that kept me absolutely riveted from beginning to end.' Jesse Norman.'I could not put this book down. It should definitely be part of the American School curriculum. I learned so much and it filled me with a new passion for historical fiction. The author has created a sensory rich atmosphere filled with characters and locations that come to life. The book enables us to put ourselves into the skin of a young African boy and see, smell, hear and feel all his incredible adventures and horrors as clearly as if we were there.' Michelle M, Amazon reviewer.'Marvellous ... I almost think that this book should be taught in the high schools as it gives such a human "face" to slavery in Africa at the hands of the English. Highly recommended.' Brenda Maxwell. 'A literary epic adventure ... an EXCELLENT story.' Samantha Ryan. 'A fast-paced tale of danger, adventure and drama ... deeply steeped in historical fact, and with real characters from the past.' Mark Williams. 'Tim Vicary's clear and fluent style is, as always, a delight to read and his research is impeccable. The world he presents is utterly believable, his characters live and breathe. An emotional roller-coaster of a book.'Author Jenny Twist. 'Definitely recommended to fans of historical fiction, or anyone who enjoys and intense and fulfilling read.'Stacy Decker.
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  1. Print length
    261 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    July 18, 2012
  5. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  6. File size
    1237 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

'Mr Vicary writes with a skillful grasp of action mixed with emotion, a delicate balance that is only outdone by the attention to historical detail that gives "Nobody's Slave" such a genuine resonance.' Kaylee Stevens, Goodreads.

'This fast-paced historical novel blends fact with fiction, and I for one loved it.' Karen Matthews. LibraryThing.

'The story was amazing and I choked up more than once and kept turning the pages as fast as I could. Definitely recommend to fans of historical fiction, or anyone who enjoys an intense and fulfilling read.' Stacy Decker, Shelfari.

'I really enjoy reading and learning about something at the same time and this book was so interesting I didn't realize I was actually learning something!' Annabella Johnson, Librarything.

'Ripped from some of the most evil parts of our history ... "Nobody's Slave" celebrates the human spirit in an unexpected and touching way. I was particularly touched by the authenticity that Mr Vicary brought to the scenes and characters ... This author has done his homework and it shows.' Claire Middleton, Goodreads.

'I almost think that this book should be taught in the high schools as it gives such a human "face" to slavery in Africa and at the hands of the English.' Brenda Maxwell, LibraryThing.

About the Author

Tim Vicary is an award-winning author and a university teacher at the Norwegian Study Centre at the university of York, England. He has always been interested in history and has published four historical novels. He has also published three legal thrillers in 'The Trials of Sarah Newby' series. A Fatal Verdict, the second book in this series, was awarded a B.R.A.G Medallion for an outstanding independent novel in 2012. He has also written about twenty graded readers for foreign learners of English, published by Oxford University Press. In 2010 and 2011 two of these - Titanic and The Everest Story - were each the winners in their category for the Language Learner Literature Award for the Extensive Reading Foundation.

Tim lives in the English countryside, near York. When he's not writing he likes horse-riding, cycling, and swimming.

His website is http: //www.timvicary.com and his blog is http: //www.timvicary.wordpress.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008MYH71Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ White Owl Publications; 1st edition (July 18, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 18, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1237 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 261 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,530 ratings

About the author

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Tim Vicary

Tim Vicary

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Tim Vicary lives near York, in the north of England. His legal thrillers about a tough British barrister, Sarah Newby, have been compared to the works of John Grisham and Scott Turow. The first two books in the series, A Game of Proof and A Fatal Verdict, were each awarded a B.R.A.G Medallion for an outstanding independent novel. The third book, Bold Counsel, was awarded the Awesome Indies Seal of Excellence. The fourth book, Broken Alibi, is already gathering positive reviews.

His four historical novels have also won praise. Nobody's Slave, a novel about the Elizabethan slave trade, won first prize in the young adult category of the Kindle Book awards 2014.

Tim has also written many graded readers for foreign learners of English, published by Oxford University Press, two of which - Titanic and The Everest Story - were winners in their category for the Language Learner Literature Award for the Extensive Reading Foundation.

Read more on his website http://www.timvicary.com Twitter https://twitter.com/TimVicary

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
1,530 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Rick Blumenberg
5.0 out of 5 stars I like historical fiction with a good story that is believable
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2018
Verified Purchase
I like historical fiction with a good story that is believable, but interesting. Nobody's Slave was an excellent example. Well written and, although I am limited in my knowledge of British Maritime history, it seemed to be well researched. Very well written. Vicary presented the views of both the slave-trader and the enslaved by giving viewpoints of good and evil on both sides. "How can there be 'good' from the side of the slave-trader?" you ask? Vicary showed they were human and while some seemed to have no conscience, others struggled with what they were doing and at least one (Tom) learned by talking with and listening to Madu, the enslaved African who was first an enemy, but became a friend. Vicary did well at showing the emotional struggle of conflicting morals without being moralistic, judgemental or preachy. A good read..
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Rabid Readers Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good historical novel
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2013
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The first part of Nobody's Slave is a nail biting experience. We know that Madu isn't being baked for consumption in the hold of the ship but everything down to the ship is new to him. His fellow slaves and Madu make assumptions about the "red-faces" based on what they've heard that seem natural but the reader knows not to be true. The ending slows down considerably and is perhaps preachy for the modern audience. Madu, in the end, is the real focus of the novel and drives the plot and is a fascinating character to read.

Nobody's Slave is a good novel for readers who enjoy historical fiction. I didn't notice any typographical errors in the novel. Tim Vicary is an author who very clearly loves history and does his best to present events in an entertaining manner.
19 people found this helpful
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Rikles
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, Historical, Plodding
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2021
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The writing is good and the mistakes are few. The characters are real and you care about them. The story moves along steadily but not rapidly, throughout most of the book. I did like the overall story.
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C. Doolan
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2013
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Tim Vicary's novel tells a story of slave trading with feeling and emotion both from the eye of the slaves and the captors. Based around real characters and events in the mid 1500's, this novel brings you on an action packed voyage with the renowned explorers Sir John Hawkins and Sir Francis Drake into the wilds of Africa and across the sea to the Spanish colonies of the Americas.

Nobody's Slave gives us an insight of what it might have been like for a captured slave through the eyes of Madu, a courageous African boy, taken just as he was about to become initiated into manhood by his tribe. Madu is brought on a voyage filled with fear and his faith in humanity, especially the "red face" is all but crushed. In the midst of the chaos, Madu forms an unlikely friendship with a young English sailor Tom Oakley and their faiths become intertwined.

Nobody's Slave captivates the reader with vivid characters, adventure and wise messages throughout the story. It's hard to believe what little thought was once given for fellow human beings, captured and sold as commodities like cattle and sleep. The book is shocking in places, the horrifying lengths that people went to just to make money exposed. I would recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction and action/adventure. It is a definite page turner to the last.
18 people found this helpful
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confettikitty
4.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable novel, 4.5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2014
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Nobody's Slave is a gripping historical novel set in the days of the slave trade, well researched and well-written. The characters were sympathetic, the plot engaging. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could. This story was definitely worth reading and I have no real complaints, but I need to reserve the higher rating of 5 stars for the truly exceptional books.
One person found this helpful
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Nicole
5.0 out of 5 stars What a wonderful read - sad
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2014
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The life of two very different boys, from opposite ends of the earth, are fated to a union that will transform both their lives. One, an African boy, Madu, living his life in Africa and bordering on manhood in his own right. An English boy, Tom Oakley, on a sea voyage to capture African slaves. Neither of these boys could ever have fathomed what their meeting would bring about but would soon be in a life and death struggle together. This book really really touched my heart. What a wonderful read - sad, terrifying loses on both sides but together the boys manage, not only to survive, but to respect one another for life. The lesson they will learn will change their lives forever. The heartbreak both must suffer will teach both of them how precious and sacred life really is! Finding out, at the end of the novel, that all the historical events were true, even though the story is fiction, almost blew my mind. Sure puts a very different spin on the history we learned in school - and what a lesson for all of us to learn! I can't recommend this book enough. Read it in two days. Hard to put down. Enjoy! After finishing this book, I had to check and see what other books Vicary had written. Lo and behold, I already had purchased 6 of them..... yeah!!! Just had not read a first to get to know Tim Vicary's writing style. Very very much enjoy his style.
4 people found this helpful
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S. R. Hoover
4.0 out of 5 stars History told in lively, heartfelt characters
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2018
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The book starts so slowly that I was tempted to quit, but intrigued enough by newly presented characters to continue on a bit more. I’m glad I did. It’s obvious to see the relationships of the 2 sets of boys presented at the beginning of the book set the foundation, rocky though it may be, for the future of the 2 surviving boys. Also, the idyllic peace of the jungle home and on a large English boat contrast sharply with the upcoming war, cruel death, & the barbarism of a slave galley. Perhaps most horrifying of all are the attitudes that once accepted slavery as a normal aspect of life.
History reflects well in this book, revealing that both good & evil exist in all races & cultures and the desire to be master of one’s own fate is endemic to all. Ranging from Africa to Mexico to Panama, the battles may be historic, but the characters prove that the basic human heart is moved by the same needs throughout time.
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Top reviews from other countries

Glen W. Green
5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read
Reviewed in Canada on August 4, 2018
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This book offers well written, well researched, and historically accurate action packed reading that forces one to continue to turn pages.
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clare fisher
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars
Reviewed in Australia on July 5, 2018
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Loved it
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cinrig
4.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly readable book
Reviewed in Italy on August 7, 2013
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The horrors of the triangular trade seen from the opposing points of view of a newly captured African boy and from the point of view of a boy on board a British ship.

Probably not the most original of plots since much has been written about this terrible period but the story is fast paced and involving with amusing incidents sometimes caused by misinterpretations on both parts. For example, Madu thinks that the hold of the ship, something he has never seen before, is the inside of an enormous oven where the red-face (British sailors)are going to cook him.

All in all a thoroughly readable book suitable also for young readers.
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Rebecca Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2013
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Having enjoyed the Trials of Sarah Newby I was interested in finding out about any other books written by Tim Vicary. It was obvious he could write well...The genre of Nobody's Slave could not be further from the Inns of Court but from page one I was hooked! Here was one of the best writing talents I had enjoyed for many years!
Tim Vicary has the rare talent to make you see and feel the scenes from each page. I was able to see and hear the waves and witness first hand how it felt to be aboard an English sailing ship in the 16th century. The characters were as real as if I had met them and most important, the story was as exciting, enthralling and page-turning as any great read...not for the feint hearted but a brilliant story to enjoy in one sitting or look forward to with relish when forced to put it down.
Here was a story with historical fact threaded through it and weaved into a tapestry of action and adventure...not to be missed!
Two young boys, living separate lives meet through fate and begin the journey to manhood many miles from their friends and family.
6 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Nobody’s Slave
Reviewed in Canada on September 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
I liked it, historical fiction, with truth thrown in. Appreciated the
notes by Tim Vicary at the end of the book. Maduka came to life for me
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