Uncle Tom's Cabin

Focusing on the harrowing realities of American slavery, this influential novel sparked intense controversy upon its 1852 release, contributing to the tensions that led to the Civil War. Initially conceived as sketches for an abolitionist newspaper, it shocked Northern readers and faced a ban in the South. Its powerful narrative and social commentary propelled it to become the bestselling novel of the 19th century, leaving a lasting impact on American literature and history.