The story of Henry “Box” Brown is one of the most amazing tales of escape in American history. As a child, Henry was devastated when his family was split apart and sold. Later, he almost went mad after his wife and three children were also sold. In his grief, Henry heard a voice tell him, “Go and get a box, and put yourself in it.” In 1849, with the help of two friends, he was placed into a wooden box and shipped from Richmond to Philadelphia. During this harrowing, 25-hour ordeal, Henry was stuck upside down for long, painful stretches, and at other times was dropped on the ground, nearly breaking his neck. The book brings to life Henry’s incredible true story, the viciousness of urban slavery, and the heroism of the Underground Railroad. The Disappearing Man is a moving tale that shows just how far people will go in seeking freedom.
