This autobiography is the first book from the brilliant writer, advocate, and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Relating the story of Douglass’ life from his birth into slavery to his escape and first few years of freedom, this account became instrumental in stirring up anti-slavery sentiments before the Civil War. Douglass is born a slave in eastern Maryland, never knowing his father and separated from his mother as a young child. When his owner’s wife begins to teach him to read, and is subsequently chastised for it, Douglass discovers that the path to freedom is through education. His young life is a constant battle against injustice, peaking with an intense fight against the brutal slave driver Mr. Covey. Yet Douglass manages to free himself from captivity and devote his life to freeing others. It’s a chilling reminder of the horrors of slavery and an inspirational portrait of a great mind triumphing over oppressive forces.
Upload : January 26, 2020. 02:37:46
Download : 2020-08-01T01:58:35+00:00
At the time of reading this narrative, almost 200 years have passed. I would like to say that it was so long ago and things have changed. Seeing a confederate flag flown in the US Capitol reminds me otherwise. It remains that until America truly acknowledges its great sin, this record will loop. Frederick Douglas was clear on how every manner of mental gymnastics and religious sleight of hand were used to justify slavery. It seems that same mental prison and moral bereft mindset continue on under the banner of “free speech.” I want to say these people need to read memoirs like this and they would know better. But willful ignorance dominated Mr. Douglas’s day and it still does today. The remaining hope, as he made clear, is the education of the marginalized as the ticket to freedom from persecution.45
Great read so far, I can’t seem to put the book down.55
I love this book so much and I really don’t love reading books55
A testimony of true strength and determination in the presence of evil and injustice against humanity.55
It was good55
In this short book, Frederick Douglass has made it possible to see slavery from the slave’s perspective. He is clear, concise, and unabashedly factual. On a persoanl note, I wish I had read this so long ago, back when I avoided reading – and this book puts my former dislike for the effort of reading to shame, as literacy was his key to freedom, and I once treated it like a waste of time.55
This book is more then amazing!!!!!!!55
A worthwhile read for anyone/everyone interested in an eyewitness account of slavery in the U.S. I was particularly interested in the intersection of Christianity and southern slavery, and how Douglass noted that at least on one occasion, the 'conversion' of his master made him more wicked and cruel because he used the bible to justify his wickedness whereas before he used his depravity. While I would not say that true christianity were absent from the states (northern or southern) at that time, his correct rebuke of the faux Christianity that knowingly endorsed and covered over the sin of man-stealing chattel slavery is well put. It's a good thing that religionists today are not using pious language to justify and solemnify what any objective review would show to be utterly immoral and on all points at odds with the Christ and the Scriptures.45
This is an excellent narrative (especially in its original version). I recommend that every living soul read it!!!!55
I read this for a class. Though I wished I would have read 20 years ago. A first person account of what it was like at the time of shame in our country's history and how against odds one survived. Thoughts on man, religion and freedom that I will remember forever.55
Users Online