kerisreads's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

 The moving eloquence and lasting impact of Frederick Douglass's autobiographical narrative leaves me thinking no study of early American history could possibly be complete without it.

Told in alternating matter-of-fact prose and passionately emotional poetry, it's no wonder Douglass played such an instrumental role in the abolition of American slavery.

As I read, I imagined reading this as a 19th century white American previously unacquainted with specifics of the manifold evils of southern slavery.... Phew.

A must-read indeed. You'll weep, but be the better for it.



Content warnings: As expected of any work on American slavery, many heavy topics are covered, though none graphically, including rape, cruelty and physical abuse, violence, death of and separation from parents and grandparents, etc. 

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irrigger's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

This is one of the most impactful books I've ever read. The experiences are viceral and cut to the core. It's a hard but hopeful read, and I think everyone should experience it. 

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lizzye33's review against another edition

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4.5


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ifweweresorrows's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

An Important and essential read.

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mscalls's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0


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rapunzelholly's review against another edition

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dark informative sad fast-paced

5.0


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ly6's review against another edition

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5.0


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jlautry's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative inspiring sad slow-paced

5.0

This book was written nearly 180 years ago, but the appendix could have been written last week. Everyone should read this. This should be required reading in high school. It’s a short book of only 96 pages and Douglass’ writing is beautiful and heartbreaking. His story is like so many hundreds of thousands of enslaved people that is often never told from the perspective of those who actually experienced it. Douglass’ criticism of Christianity (not unlike the “Christians” of our current time) was spot on, and in reading this, it’s unbelievable that “Christians” continue to use the same “biblical principles” to continue to persecute and condemn. He goes into detail in the appendix and it’s as applicable today as it was then. 

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csmed101's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

One of the best pieces of literature I've ever consumed in my life. At times I was close to tears and at others I was filled with hope and a sense of thankfullness for what I have. There's an audiobook version of it on Spotify that I will recommend to everyone.

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r__a's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.0


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