The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, The African, is a book that was first published in 1789. It is the autobiography of Olaudah Equiano. The book describes Equiano's life in slavery. It records his efforts to be free by studying the Bible. The book goes on to tell about his gaining his freedom and his success in business. It was published in 1789 in Great Britain to inform the British public what the life of slaves was like.