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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This is a brief autobiographical account of the author's early life. In it, Douglass tells us what it was like to be a slave in both rural and urban Maryland, describes the circumstances around which he learned to read and write, how reading and writing effected his intellectual awakening, and how all of these circumstances combined toward one of the most fundamental of human drives, that of a yearning toward freedom.
As a writer, Douglass possessed a clear command of language. The book is written in an easy prose that should be comprehensible to any modern reader.
Why read this?
1) It's not fiction. These are real experiences that describe some of the cruellest aspects of human nature, a nature we all share and are capable of expressing.
2) It stands with few other books in explaining just how injurious slavery is and was, both to those who practice(d) it and those who suffer(ed) under its bonds. It is by far the most accessible such work.
3) While Douglass gives a matter-of-fact treatment of the violence that held Southern slavery in place, the real drama (for those of you who seem to need it) lies outside what is written. Consider for a moment that the book was published a mere 7 years after Douglass escaped to the North. Consider also that escaped slaves could have been and often were either kidnapped or otherwise apprehended in the North and SENT BACK to the very institution they were fleeing. And finally consider that a good number of the white community members who interacted with Douglass during his time as a slave were still alive and fully capable of reading his book. Thus a happy ending was not assured within the context surrounding the book.
4) Despite what you may think, slavery has not been eradicated in the world. Sure, there are no governments that officially endorse the practice, but be assured there are slaves, slave owners, and slave traders even today, often acting with impunity within the borders of sovereign nations. This book is relevant for this if for no other reason.
The rest of this review is targeted at those who saw fit to give this book a low rating. At the time of this review, there are just over 2000 1 and 2 star reviews.
Frankly, I am baffled at the low ratings. Reading over them, I see that they fall into a few different categories: you (the reader) thought it was boring; you were uncomfortable with the material; and/or you were unable to comprehend Douglass's language. I realize many of you are young and, having been "forced" to read the book, are simply bestowing your ratings out of a sense of angsty entitlement, but youth is no excuse for intolerable idiocy.
If you thought the book was boring:
It is an autobiographical account of someone's life. The purpose of such a work is NOT to entertain you with fairy tales. In fact, I think the mere idea that you would expect to be entertained by a former slave is outrageous.
If you were uncomfortable with the material:
GOOD! You might have begun to grasp the point. There is hope for you.
If you had trouble reading Douglass's language (becuase, like, we don't talk that way anymore):
I found Douglass's prose to be very lucid and accessible. Aside from a few sentences here and there, I find Douglass's language to be nearly indistinguishable from something you'd find in a modern text. I can only assume you have a more limited grasp of the English language than you think. Don't let that discourage you, though. Practice!
As a writer, Douglass possessed a clear command of language. The book is written in an easy prose that should be comprehensible to any modern reader.
Why read this?
1) It's not fiction. These are real experiences that describe some of the cruellest aspects of human nature, a nature we all share and are capable of expressing.
2) It stands with few other books in explaining just how injurious slavery is and was, both to those who practice(d) it and those who suffer(ed) under its bonds. It is by far the most accessible such work.
3) While Douglass gives a matter-of-fact treatment of the violence that held Southern slavery in place, the real drama (for those of you who seem to need it) lies outside what is written. Consider for a moment that the book was published a mere 7 years after Douglass escaped to the North. Consider also that escaped slaves could have been and often were either kidnapped or otherwise apprehended in the North and SENT BACK to the very institution they were fleeing. And finally consider that a good number of the white community members who interacted with Douglass during his time as a slave were still alive and fully capable of reading his book. Thus a happy ending was not assured within the context surrounding the book.
4) Despite what you may think, slavery has not been eradicated in the world. Sure, there are no governments that officially endorse the practice, but be assured there are slaves, slave owners, and slave traders even today, often acting with impunity within the borders of sovereign nations. This book is relevant for this if for no other reason.
The rest of this review is targeted at those who saw fit to give this book a low rating. At the time of this review, there are just over 2000 1 and 2 star reviews.
Frankly, I am baffled at the low ratings. Reading over them, I see that they fall into a few different categories: you (the reader) thought it was boring; you were uncomfortable with the material; and/or you were unable to comprehend Douglass's language. I realize many of you are young and, having been "forced" to read the book, are simply bestowing your ratings out of a sense of angsty entitlement, but youth is no excuse for intolerable idiocy.
If you thought the book was boring:
It is an autobiographical account of someone's life. The purpose of such a work is NOT to entertain you with fairy tales. In fact, I think the mere idea that you would expect to be entertained by a former slave is outrageous.
If you were uncomfortable with the material:
GOOD! You might have begun to grasp the point. There is hope for you.
If you had trouble reading Douglass's language (becuase, like, we don't talk that way anymore):
I found Douglass's prose to be very lucid and accessible. Aside from a few sentences here and there, I find Douglass's language to be nearly indistinguishable from something you'd find in a modern text. I can only assume you have a more limited grasp of the English language than you think. Don't let that discourage you, though. Practice!
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
Really good and quick read. Everyone should read this book on a first hand account of the life of once a slave Frederick Douglass.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
The description of the conditions of slavery are as horrible as expected. The audiobook reader was very good and really captured the pacing and tone of the words. It's short, it's relevant, but it wasn't any new information. I liked the discussion of how he arrived on current name, that was new information.
such an important story. I am glad I was able to read this
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense