Published in 1851, Harriet Beecher-Stowe's novel rapidly became world-famous and remained so.A didactic and sentimental drama set among the slaves of the American South, Uncle Tom's Cabin is nevertheless a lively and forceful story.It made a major contribution to the Emancipationist cause and probably helped to sway the outcome of the Civil War.Given the history of race relations in our time it remains relevant even today.