You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.99k reviews for:
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave: A Library of America Paperback Classic
Frederick Douglass
4.14 AVERAGE
1.99k reviews for:
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave: A Library of America Paperback Classic
Frederick Douglass
4.14 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
This book has been sitting on my shelf for far too long. Today I suddenly felt the need to read it and I am so glad I did. While I love learning I’m hesitant to read non-fiction in fears of being bored (which is a ridiculous notion I know). This book was full of injustices society seems to ignore and forget with time. His writing style keeps the story going without glossing over any important events and had me reading the whole thing in one go. There are so many quotable lines that I know will forever stick with me. I love reading about the abolitionist movement and the history of slavery since it’s also the history of my family. This is one of my new favorite books that breaches this topic right alongside The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. I truly cannot recommend this any more than I already have. Please read it!
“Sincerely and earnestly hoping that this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system, and hastening the glad day of deliverance to the millions of my brethren in bonds- faithfully relying upon the power of truth, love, and justice, for success in my humble efforts...” -Frederick Douglass
“Sincerely and earnestly hoping that this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system, and hastening the glad day of deliverance to the millions of my brethren in bonds- faithfully relying upon the power of truth, love, and justice, for success in my humble efforts...” -Frederick Douglass
A unique and reflective account, but with odd comments on religion and Judaism in the appendix.
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
One of the best books I've ever read. I could not put it down. If you don't like this book, I'm not sure what to say to you.
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Everyone should read this book. It's short, wastes absolutely no time, and is affecting the entire way through. This is not merely a record of the physical degradation inflicted on the sufferers of slavery, but a deep exploration of the true horror that comes from not even owning one's self.
“He would whip her to make her scream, and whip her to make her hush; and not until overcome by fatigue, would he cease to swing the blood-clotted cowskin. I remember the first time I ever witnessed this horrible exhibition. I was quite a child, but I well remember it. I never shall forget it whilst I remember any thing. It was the first of a long series of such outrages, of which I was doomed to be a witness and a participant. It struck me with awful force. It was the blood-stained gate, the entrance to the hell of slavery, through which I was about to pass. It was a most terrible spectacle. I wish I could commit to paper the feelings with which I beheld it.”
Wow I’ve been really spoiling myself this month with absolutely brilliant books huh. Undoubtedly one of the fiercest writers of the 19th century and one of the best writers I think this country has produced. Absolute legend.
Wow I’ve been really spoiling myself this month with absolutely brilliant books huh. Undoubtedly one of the fiercest writers of the 19th century and one of the best writers I think this country has produced. Absolute legend.