Master Slave, Husband Wife is a well-researched work of narrative nonfiction that tells the story of Ellen and William Craft, two enslaved persons who escaped together to the North and then to England, returning again to the States after the Civil War.

The book highlights the Craft's determination to escape slavery and find freedom. With a clever plan and immense courage, they embarked on a treacherous journey to the North, facing constant danger of discovery.

Ellen Craft, who was the daughter of her first owner and able to pass as white, disguised herself as a young, ill white man, while William portrayed her enslaved servant. This disguise allowed them to travel undetected despite the constant threat of exposure.

Once the Crafts reached Boston and Philadelphia, they became a part of the abolitionist speaking circuit. During this part of the book, we learn about others in the abolitionist movement. Having escaped in 1848, Ellen and William were still unsafe once they reached the northern states. The Fugitive Slave Act was passed in 1850. With the Fugitive Slave Act, all Americans, including those in the Northern states, were responsible for catching and returning escaped slaves to their enslavers in the South. We see that racism was still prevalent even among abolitionists.

The remarkable journey of Ellen and William Craft stands as a testament to their unwavering determination and the immense challenges they overcame in their pursuit of freedom. Their ingenious escape plan and courageous journey to the North shed light on the perils faced by enslaved individuals seeking liberation. Moreover, their story raises important questions about the complexities of racism and the varying responses they received based on their physical appearances.

This is an important work that tells an important story. Stories like those in this book must become part of our national narrative.