Rating: 
Summary: Important anti-slavery novel
Review: Uncle Tom's cabin is a famous work of American literature, because of its historical context and its political importance as a piece of anti-slavery propoganda as much as for the story and quality of the writing. The phrase "Uncle Tom" has even gained some currency as a derogatory term in modern usage. The book captures and condences much of the worst elements of slavery in the south as it recounts the trials of several slaves, their owners and their families. The story is enthralling and the crossing of the ice flow remains one of the more famous scenes in literature. The story unashamedly promotes the anti-slavery position and promotes its activists Apparently this book had considerable impact in its day and although to some extent some of the thunder has since been stolen by blockbusters such as Roots, is still a powerful book.
Rating: 
Summary: A book that needed to be written
Review: This was the second best-selling book of the 19th Century (next to the Bible) and this is the book given the credit for turning the tide of public opinion against slavery in the United States. In fact, it could be argued that this book set in motion the events that eventually led to our Civil War - still the bloodiest conflict in U.S. History (including WW2). Those facts alone make this an important book to read and it should be a part of any serious library. In order to fully appreciate this book, you must try to view it from the standpoint of the average American in 1850. It is hard to believe today but back then, slavery was still an acceptable way of life for many. Even many of those who were morally opposed to the concept of slavery adopted a "live and let live" approach to the matter. This is because many viewed the black race as inferior and they did not understand that they were people just like us who were devastated by the evil institution. Imagine having your children and spouse ripped away from you and sold to others like they were heads of cattle. This was a fact of life for most slaves. This is a very powerful book that humanized the black race and exposed the evils of slavery to those in the North who otherwise turned a blind eye towards it. Critics of this book say that it is more about Christianity than it is about slavery. I did not get this impression. Granted, the heros of this book were pious Christians without exception, but viewed through the prism of the times in which the book was written, it is understandable. Religion was far more prevalent in those times than it is today and it was just assumed that good people had to be Christians (just as it was assumed that blacks were an inferior race). There is not much to say about this book that hasn't been said already. But I would like to mention about the main character in the book: Uncle Tom. In today's vernacular, the term "Uncle Tom" is a derisive term applied towards black people (by other blacks) who are perceived as being deferential and/or servile to white people. So when I read this book, I expected Tom to be this subserviant fellow who bowed down to his master and did his bidding. This was clearly not the case! Tom stood up to his evil master and refused to let him get the better of him, maintaining his dignity at all times. No matter how much his "owner" tried to break his spirit through enormous physical abuse, Tom remained strong and unbroken. On top of that, Tom frequently went against his master's wishes and helped make Christians out of his fellow slaves and even helped a couple of them escape to freedom. In the book, Tom is a credit to his race and is the strongest moral character in the book. So after reading the book, I have determined that the term "Uncle Tom" is very unappropriate as it is used today. This is truly a great book. The writing is superb, the dialogue is razor-sharp and the exposure of the evils of the slavery that once existed in America (not all that long ago)should be read by all.
Rating:
Summary: A Challenging and Forgotten Classic
Review: This book is truly a FORGOTTEN CLASSIC! Harriet Beecher Stowe's mission in this book is to show that the black slaves are truly human, and consequently deserving of the freedom and equality that whites enjoy. She certainly does this! But it's her unique method that transforms this potential mid-1800s timepiece into a timeless classic! Stowe demonstrates what it means to love ALL people in 2 very powerful, moving, and complementary ways. One, she paints a picture of a black person who is able to unconditionally love his white enemies along with the blacks who suffer with him. And two, she illustrates how a few white people truly love and recognize the humanity of black people - society's powerless ones. The bottom line - she shows what it means to be a RADICAL follower of Jesus! Uncle Tom is a pre-civil war black slave, routinely trodden on due to his non-human status. Even with the luxuries he is given, he is continually reminded that his status before the law is only property-he has no rights, no freedom. Yet he always manages to unconditionally love his owners: the Shelbys, the St. Claires, and finally even Simon Legree. And in the course being sold and purchased, he changes the lives of many people around him. One moving example of Tom's love is toward Cassie. Once a beautiful and sophisticated woman, she is mercilessly abused as a slave and stripped of all her dignity. Through Tom's witness and sacrifice, her deep bitterness and hatred are melted away so she can love and be loved again. On the other side, some of the whites did understand that the enslaved blacks are worthy of love, dignity, and freedom. Emily Shelby, Augustine St. Claire, and Eva all show love to Tom by providing him education and limited freedom. The Quakers demonstrate love to Emily and George Harris while putting themselves in danger. And Ophelia learns how to love Topsy, a personal growth experience for both of them. All of these stories are different and intriguing, yet all show weaknesses in the white people who are in some way products of the slavery system they live in. Of these, the most moving example is little Eva, a child. No wonder Jesus calls us to become like children! There are a few stereotypes, and the book is somewhat long, but don't let these minor points deter you. The book will CHALLENGE you to love all people, of all cultures and colors, those who hurt or oppress you, and especially those who are oppressed, marginalized, and powerless. Indeed, that is what Jesus did! "Uncle Tom" shouldn't be a label used of a black person who willing accepts a white person's oppression, and I know I can't change the negative connotations that this label carries. But it SHOULD indicate a person who unconditionally accepts and loves all people - a TRUE saint. I know I would like to gladly accept that label. This book really deserves to be 6 stars! Read it (or listen to it); it will change your life and your sensitivity to oppression forever!
Rating:
Summary: Amen! This should be required reading....
Review: Being a suburban, male, upper-middle class WASP, educated in Kansas City's public school system I had never completely understood the conditions that surrounded legalized slavery in the middle 1800's. I had watched Gone with the Wind as a kid and that was my image of plantation life and slavery. Uncle Tom's Cabin gives the reader the whole story and Stowe does an excellent job of presenting arguments from all sides of the issue (brutal slave drivers, gentleman farmers, abolitionists, slaves accepting their lot in life, slaves longing to be free). I was so moved. Only Grapes of Wrath and To Kill a Mockingbird have had that same impact on me in the past. I would give this book 6 stars if that were an option. The U.S. History books always made reference to Uncle Tom's Cabin for its historical importance. It did open the eyes of so many who didn't realize what was happening in their country. Public education should go further though by making this required reading. It is so much more than a mere footnote. It is a slow-starter, it took me about 10 days to get through the first 100 pages adjusting to Stowe's mastery with dialects, but the last 350 pages moved 3 times as fast. Wow! The power of reading. It's amazing.
Rating: 
Summary: Uncle Tom's Cabin
Review: Uncle Tom's Cabin is written through the eyes of a religious
fanatic abolitionist whose father is a minister and president of
a college of theology where her husband is a professor. Ms. Stowe tries to tell about slavery in the South from tails she has heard. The book was written nine years before the War Between the States and sold 300,000 copies the first year. The book hurt the South and caused people from the North and Mid-west to believe every word she wrote eventhough Ms. Stowe had never been to the South. Even President Lincoln when meeting her said," So you're the little lady who started this war".
All of Uncle Tom's Masters treated him better than most of the slaves were treated with the exception of one Master. The book takes you from one Master to another with you wondering what will happen next. The book is chocked full of colorful and interesting characters. It's a book that will make you laugh and also make you cry.
I think this is a book everyone should read and it will make you ask yourself what's wrong with being called an "Uncle Tom."
Rating: 
Summary: A wash of stereotypes
Review: I read this book several months ago and was too irritated with it to write a review at the time. Now, however, I feel I have a duty to WARN the public about this book.
First of all, I am confused that this book helped contribute greatly to the abolitionist movement. When I was through with it (and all its 500 pages of droning), I was left with wondering: was this a book about the evils of slavery or the evil of not being a Christian? This novel was produced following the 2nd Great Awakening; therefore, some religious reference has to be expected. However, Stowe spends a CONSIDERABLE amount of time dwelling on Christianity, and her character Tom can be seen as the personification of a pure, holy figure who only wants to give faith to people. I found Tom's character to be entirely unrealistic. How is it possible that a slave who had the chance of freedom would not be upset when the chance was taken from him, as Tom was not? The book states,"...he did not once think that the sudden stroke had left him in hopeless slavery."(chap.29, pg.346)What person is that good; is that unselfish?! And especially Tom, who had spent his whole life in slavery. Give me a break. Another person in the religious category is little Eva. Was anyone else happy when she finally died? It only took about 5 chapters. Meanwhile, the reader had to deal with the stereotype of a Southern elite female, Eva's mother, who's main purpose was to drive the reader insane (or to expose that the Bible could support slavery depending on how it was interpreted). Then of course, St. Clare and his confused ideals are exposed. Am I right in thinking that he had some type of Oedipus complex? He faced a great dilemma: he had gotten himself into the slavery "game" and didn't know how he could survive out of it. So, Tom tries to make St. Clare religious, la de dah, and about forty other people want to become religious because of Tom.
Meanwhile, what happened to the other plot line? The one with the stereotypical fiery slave fugitive George and his beautiful wife Eliza? (By the way, I just had to laugh at the episode of Eliza skipping across the ice, even though Stowe adapted that from some "true story.") When that plot line is finally recovered, more characters come into the story! Great. Each of course, complete with Stowe's various concepts of stereotypes. It is rather difficult to keep all of the characters straight, but in the end, that does not matter, because everything gets tied up with a nice bow. There is a loss, but everyone else got what they wanted and things worked out. How unpredictable.
For all those interested in reading this book, I say don't bother. Just read the reviews posted here and you'll get the idea without having to slosh through 500 pages of contradictory ideas, stereotypical and static characters, and dull prose. Beware, I haven't exposed the half: Stowe actually interrupts her story to preach personally, as if the reader cannot connect the dots or form opinions of his/her own. Yes, UTC was a great factor in furthering the abolitionist movement, but you can read better literature about slavery now.
Rating:
Summary: Uncle Tom's Cabin
Review: Harriet Beecher Stowe created a wonderful tale of adventures and misery when she wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. The story is about a slave named Tom, who is abruptly sold to a slave trader. His life becomes unsure as he travels from master to master. The book shows the pros and cons of slavery. While a few owners are kind to their slaves, others are ruthless and cold. Tom struggles to keep a pure heart and mind as he is sold to an evil man who cares nothing about his slaves.
Published in 1851, Uncle Tom's Cabin increased the support of abolitionists in the United States. It unveiled the evils of slavery to the public. People were shocked at the horrors of slavery and quickly became abolitionists. Uncle Tom's Cabin is one of the most famous books of the 1800s. I enjoyed the book very much. It perfectly blends mystery, humor, and drama. I recommend this book to anyone who is intrigued with the Civil War, or anyone looking for a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Astounding
Review: When I had to choose a historical fiction book for class, Uncle Tom's Cabin came to mind. I had started the book before, but I had gotten bored with it and abandoned it after the first chapter or two. This time, when I put down the book, it was after I had finished it. There are not many books that can move me to tears, laughter, fear, and satisfaction. This book has combined all of these qualities and made me experience a broad range of emotions. The story follows the life of Eliza and Tom, two religious slaves. One day, their master being in debt, a slave trader comes to take Tom and Eliza's child away. Eliza chooses to run away, while Tom chooses to stay and meet his fate. From there, the paths of the two heores diverge into two emotional stories. Eliza is ever pursued by slave catchers on the run to Canada, and Tom learns more about life and Christianity as he is sold to different owners. The most striking aspect of this book is the surge of emotion behind the words. Vivid images take you back in time, and inside each character is a beautifully-portrayed soul. Uncle Tom's Cabin is, overall, a tale of sin and redemption, prejudice, faith, and love, woven intricately in the lives of many during the pre-Civil War era.
Rating:
Summary: Despite its flaws, a towering literary landmark
Review: "Uncle Tom's Cabin," the novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe, is one of the most important literary works ever to deal with the disturbing issue of African-American slavery. First published in serial form in 1851 and 1852, UTC is, to a large degree, a book of its time. But it has a compelling power that makes it, in my opinion, an authentic classic that deserves the attention of today's readers, and of future generations. Yes, there are many valid criticisms that can be leveled against Stowe and her book. Is it sentimental? Emotionally manipulative? Is Uncle Tom a problematic character? "Yes" to all these questions. But Stowe also achieves a remarkable sense of balance in the book as a whole. The too-good-to-be-true, long-suffering Tom is complemented by the more militant George. And Stowe achieves some truly incisive cultural criticism. Particularly resonant is her analysis (often through the dialogue of her characters) of the use of both Christianity and the law as tools by which the oppressive slave system was supported. Stowe is up front with her anti-slavery beliefs. UTC is notable for Stowe's many asides to her readers; her omniscient narrator seems to be maintaining a continual "conversation" with the reader. Despite the book's flaws, I found it to be a gripping read, filled with some truly memorable characters. Despite its length, the novel is a very fluid read. I fear that UTC is regarded by many as more of a cultural monument -- a literary "museum piece," if you will -- then as living literature that one would actually read. That's a pity; I think that Stowe's compassion, keen intelligence, and remarkable writerly skill make UTC a classic that is actually worth reading. Like James Fenimore Cooper's "The Last of the Mohicans," UTC is a flawed but monumental novel that represents a serious and thoughtful attempt to portray non-white American characters. And as with Cooper's book, I think that UTC should be read in connection with 18th and 19th century books by ethnic Americans themselves: as companion texts to UTC, I particularly recommend "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" and Harriet Jacobs' "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl." One other note: a number of authors adapted UTC for the stage in the 19th century. One such adaptation, by George L. Aiken, can be found in the excellent anthology "Early American Drama," edited by Jeffrey H. Richards. My final comment: If you haven't read this novel, toss away any preconceptions you may have, and read it with an open mind. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is an extraordinary achievement.
Rating:
Summary: Uncle tom's cabin
Review: this book is amazing it will make even the most manly person shed a tear.
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