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allarminda's review against another edition
3.0
I’m glad I read this — and encourage others to do so, as well. It’s a fascinating inside perspective of the journey out of slavery and into the “white world,” by Booker T. Washington. Having said that, this autobiography felt very much like an academic paper without any emotion, and I completed it not sure I know much more about Mr. Washington than I did at its start. He leaves out so much of his own personal narrative, instead giving page after page to the daily running and funding of the Tuskegee Institute, which he founded, funded, championed and grew. Mr. Washington was a sought-after public speaker and I was surprised by his inclusion of several newspaper reviews of his speeches, which seemed rather self-aggrandizing and out of character.
reaganwaggoner's review against another edition
4.0
The story of his childhood is depressing, in that his thirst for knowledge was denied, but the simple fact that his mind was fixated on a dream of the future rather than fear of the present suggests that his upbringing was not torturous. This likely contributed to his peaceful approach following the war.
Although Washington was no doubt wholeheartedly devoted to the conquest for liberty, his philosophy underlying the change was a contrast from Douglass (read their books back-to-back)
Washington wrote that he would “permit no man to degrade his soul by making him hate him.” He also firmly believed that, “if you want to lift yourself up, lift others up.”
Booker T. Washington’s encouragement of diligence and persistence equipped many Americans for life and provided a fresh perspective of the value of accountability and perseverance.
A truly inspiring man.
***Edit to account for comment***
Four stars because parts of the book were rather dry. I did not sit down with this book and finish it in a day because of ravenous interest. Rather, I read it slowly and deliberately. Still a very solid book, but lacking 5-star material.
Although Washington was no doubt wholeheartedly devoted to the conquest for liberty, his philosophy underlying the change was a contrast from Douglass (read their books back-to-back)
Washington wrote that he would “permit no man to degrade his soul by making him hate him.” He also firmly believed that, “if you want to lift yourself up, lift others up.”
Booker T. Washington’s encouragement of diligence and persistence equipped many Americans for life and provided a fresh perspective of the value of accountability and perseverance.
A truly inspiring man.
***Edit to account for comment***
Four stars because parts of the book were rather dry. I did not sit down with this book and finish it in a day because of ravenous interest. Rather, I read it slowly and deliberately. Still a very solid book, but lacking 5-star material.
tuhlia96's review against another edition
3.0
So many thoughts! Booker T. Washington is very well respected for his work in creating and cultivating a class of black people with a specific ideology pertaining to how we can create success and wealth amongst our communities. While I don’t 100% with his ideology I respect his point of view and am pleased to have learned about the Reconstruction Era in American history. Overall a great book to provide you with context and understanding of Black peoples past and current plights!
thehappybooker's review against another edition
5.0
How much more would we value our education if we had built the school with our own hands, from foundation stones to hand-split shingles? How much more would we be fearless in the face of injustice if we had seen the worst injustice and survived?
Some people say that "Up From Slavery" is too conciliatory and too willing to let the past remain in the past, or too willing to attribute success solely to hard work and persistence rather than these factors plus fair winds of fortunate timing and help that was denied to so many other former slaves who did not "make good" as Booker T. Washington did. These may be legitimate complaints, but I think he wrote it the way he wanted to, and that was his right.
Some people say that "Up From Slavery" is too conciliatory and too willing to let the past remain in the past, or too willing to attribute success solely to hard work and persistence rather than these factors plus fair winds of fortunate timing and help that was denied to so many other former slaves who did not "make good" as Booker T. Washington did. These may be legitimate complaints, but I think he wrote it the way he wanted to, and that was his right.
aaash's review against another edition
3.0
It was obviously very inspiring and just an interesting read all together. It's worth picking up, even if at times I could have done with out newspaper and letter excerpts.
emily_britton's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
3.0
The first few chapters, detailing Washington's earlier years, were absolutely fascinating, but the rest of his life was more mundane in terms of its events. Teaching, fundraising and giving speeches don't make for very interesting reading. It was also evident that Washington was very wrong in his assumption that race relations would naturally improve as the years went on -- very sad.
quitejessi's review against another edition
4.0
This man really loved his toothbrushes.
Toothbrushes aside, this was a fascinating and engaging memoir. The first half especially was very interesting. I was less interested in the letters of praise and the many monetary details and who donated how much and when (thought it was pretty crazy how funds came exactly when needed).
It's insane how much he accomplished in his lifetime, from being enslaved to getting honorary degrees from Harvard and having the President of the United States speak at his school. He certainly has a "pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps" vibe. And it's hard to argue with him, looking at his results.
It's interesting how forgiving (maybe the wrong word) he was to the white southern slave owners and regular poor white people. You know that he wanted reconciliation and firmly believed it was possible.
Reconstruction was a weird time. I wonder how modern American society would look if Washington's ideas won out over W.E.B. Dubois'.
Toothbrushes aside, this was a fascinating and engaging memoir. The first half especially was very interesting. I was less interested in the letters of praise and the many monetary details and who donated how much and when (thought it was pretty crazy how funds came exactly when needed).
It's insane how much he accomplished in his lifetime, from being enslaved to getting honorary degrees from Harvard and having the President of the United States speak at his school. He certainly has a "pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps" vibe. And it's hard to argue with him, looking at his results.
It's interesting how forgiving (maybe the wrong word) he was to the white southern slave owners and regular poor white people. You know that he wanted reconciliation and firmly believed it was possible.
Reconstruction was a weird time. I wonder how modern American society would look if Washington's ideas won out over W.E.B. Dubois'.