Uncle Tom's Cabin

Focusing on the brutal realities of American slavery, this influential novel sparked intense controversy upon its 1852 release, contributing to the tensions leading to the Civil War. Initially conceived as sketches for an abolitionist newspaper, it scandalized Northern readers and faced bans in the South, ultimately becoming the bestselling novel of the 19th century. Its powerful narrative and themes of injustice resonate strongly, making it a pivotal work in American literature and history.