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shebephoebe's review against another edition
The first part was fascinating as a historical account, but narratively dry and emotionless. By around the 40% mark it turned into a slog, and reviews suggest this continues to the end.
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
3.0
So I originally started this in May and got distracted and didn't get around to finish it. I was really enjoying the beginning of this because I found it fascinating to hear his perspective but when I picked it up again in November I kinda just felt meh about the rest of the book. Its pretty much talking about his experiences and thoughts on building a school for black people after slavery. He focuses on practical skilled for black people, and looks down on the idea of people being educated without purpose. He also makes a point to say "not all white" people which part of me appreciated but also felt like it could have been more tactfully done.. I dont know. I did find it an interesting perspective and agreed with some of his points and liked hearing his experience but some of the stuff seemed a bit judge-y towards black people and apologetic towards white people.
The end was also a little boring because it was just a play by play about the history of the school in a way that wasn't as interesting as it could have been.
The end was also a little boring because it was just a play by play about the history of the school in a way that wasn't as interesting as it could have been.
suebrownreads's review against another edition
5.0
I have read so many books about the Black Codes, Jim Crow, the KKK, the great migration, etc.. that it was so refreshing to read that not everything was horrible for all black people, and that there were blacks and whites that worked together to improve, educate and raise up the lives of poor blacks.
I know of all the horrible things that were going on when Booker T. was alive, but he chose to focus on the positive things that happened to him which were many. It was his decision to take this route in his writing, and though he was greatly criticized for it, he told "his" story in a positive and grateful way. And I think that should be okay.
I know of all the horrible things that were going on when Booker T. was alive, but he chose to focus on the positive things that happened to him which were many. It was his decision to take this route in his writing, and though he was greatly criticized for it, he told "his" story in a positive and grateful way. And I think that should be okay.
clemmies's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
medium-paced
2.25
Booker T. Washington is a critical figure, and clearly has a strong moral character (in his own context) as well as a nuanced understanding of his time's social relations through his writing. He is also a fluent and flowerful disseminator. A lot of information is very easy to take in throughout this biography, and its very easy to learn a lot about the "reconstruction" period through Washington's perspective and learn of modern pitfalls of Black capitalism.
UP FROM SLAVERY is the pinnacle of Black excellence and it hurts my soul to see the revolutions of yesterday drop dead on arrival due to its grip. I cannot in good conscience adore this book despite its helpful use and well-formed writing. So many lines about "civilization," "value," and fucking "WORTH" make me ache for the millions of disabled black souls who were taught under people who learned and rose "up" using Washington's methodology. Dude also does NOT care about women LOL
UP FROM SLAVERY is the pinnacle of Black excellence and it hurts my soul to see the revolutions of yesterday drop dead on arrival due to its grip. I cannot in good conscience adore this book despite its helpful use and well-formed writing. So many lines about "civilization," "value," and fucking "WORTH" make me ache for the millions of disabled black souls who were taught under people who learned and rose "up" using Washington's methodology. Dude also does NOT care about women LOL
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Slavery
debs4jc's review against another edition
4.0
Things that impressed me from this book:
* Booker's firm belief that merit would be recognized and rewarded. He considered this a great universal truth and a consolation for the persecuted. He considered this principle a key to improving racial relations.
*To expand on the above thought, he thought the whole future of race relations hinged on whether or not the members of his race could make themselves of indispensable value to their community
*Again, "the individual who do something that the world wants done will, in the end, make his way regardless of race"
*He thought contact with great men and women of wisdom to be more useful than book learning
*His thoughts on public speaking: "give them an idea for every word"--in other words, don't waste words. It is in injustice to speak merely for the sake of speaking, one should have a deep heartfelt message to deliver.
*"I have found that the happiest people are those who do the most for others; the most miserable are those who do the least"
* He believed in teaching students the dignity of labour, and he had little patience for schools that did not teach this. Indeed, many of the buildings, crops, and things needed by his school were supplied by student labour.
*I love his thoughts on how to best administer and organization and hove good relations between employers/administrators and labour/students: He asked the students to write him a letter or have a meeting with him with their criticisms, complaints and suggestions. He thought many disputes could be avoided if the higher ups would cultivate a habit of getting nearer to their employees, consulting and advising with them, and letting them feel that they have shared interests.
* Booker's firm belief that merit would be recognized and rewarded. He considered this a great universal truth and a consolation for the persecuted. He considered this principle a key to improving racial relations.
*To expand on the above thought, he thought the whole future of race relations hinged on whether or not the members of his race could make themselves of indispensable value to their community
*Again, "the individual who do something that the world wants done will, in the end, make his way regardless of race"
*He thought contact with great men and women of wisdom to be more useful than book learning
*His thoughts on public speaking: "give them an idea for every word"--in other words, don't waste words. It is in injustice to speak merely for the sake of speaking, one should have a deep heartfelt message to deliver.
*"I have found that the happiest people are those who do the most for others; the most miserable are those who do the least"
* He believed in teaching students the dignity of labour, and he had little patience for schools that did not teach this. Indeed, many of the buildings, crops, and things needed by his school were supplied by student labour.
*I love his thoughts on how to best administer and organization and hove good relations between employers/administrators and labour/students: He asked the students to write him a letter or have a meeting with him with their criticisms, complaints and suggestions. He thought many disputes could be avoided if the higher ups would cultivate a habit of getting nearer to their employees, consulting and advising with them, and letting them feel that they have shared interests.
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
5.0
So I had some issues with Booker T. Washington's classist and sexist views, but I'm aware that it is mostly a sign of the times he was raised. That said, he was definitely an optimist, which I didn't expect. He was almost too optimistic in my opinion, but without that optimism and his own ambition he wouldn't have been able to be as successful as he was.