To Be a Slave addresses a gap in American historical records by offering a vivid depiction of the culture and history of black people in the Americas, with a focus on the United States. The book highlights the harrowing experiences of black individuals, from their violent capture in Africa to their cramped journey across the ocean on slave ships, and their eventual enslavement. Instead of providing a dry account of these events, Lester animates history through the powerful testimonies of former slaves, who recount their experiences in gripping detail. Due to widespread illiteracy among slaves, their stories were traditionally passed down orally. However, most written historical narratives overlook this oral heritage, concentrating instead on slavery's impact on white, mainstream society. Lester addresses this oversight by presenting a black viewpoint on these historical events. The quote from a former slave that opens Lester's book underscores the importance of To Be a Slave: "In all the books that you have studied you never have studied Negro history, have you?...If you want Negro history, you will have to get it from somebody who wore the shoe..."