Reviews

My Bondage And My Freedom by Frederick Douglass

anarcho_zymurgist's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.5

I know Douglass is considered a great writer, but damn.

christopherchandler's review against another edition

3.0

Insightful look into the life of a slave and his incredible journey to freedom. His understanding of man and his depravity is a wonderful bonus throughout the book. Even with all the evil done to him, Mr. Douglass is able to show grace to those who held him in bondage. I was most impressed with his ability to articulate himself and his constant forgiveness to those who most men would hold strong hatred for.

irrigger's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

allisonseverson's review against another edition

5.0

If I taught history, every student would be required to read this book! I am so very grateful to my American History teacher at Texas Christian University for requiring me to read this book. Thank you.

cassettetaped's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective tense slow-paced

5.0

shanyreader's review against another edition

3.0

Honestly, the only reason this got 3 stars was because of my own failing as a reader to understand everything that was going on and his sophistication as a writer was beyond my own in reading. I found it hard to believe everything that was going on, and I had to keep reminding myself--this isn't just another fiction story on slavery--this actually happened to those people and to him. I honestly felt as if I knew who Fredrick Douglass was; one of the most famous abolitionists and here I am, reading his story, understanding for the first time exactly who he is. If I didn't have to read 30 pages of this every night for homework, but instead could read it at my own leisure, I probably would have enjoyed it more than I did. It was a wise decision on my teacher's part that he chose this book for us to read--it was a great deal more explicit and eye-opening than any textbook could have been, and I actually look forward to going over it again while I write my paper.

binstonbirchill's review against another edition

5.0

"I, too, would invoke the spirit of patriotism; not in a narrow and restricted sense, but, I trust, with a broad and manly signification; not to cover up our national sins, but to inspire us with sincere repentance; not to hide our shame from the world's gaze, but utterly to abolish the cause of that shame; not to explain our gross inconsistencies as a nation, but to remove the hateful, jarring, and incongruous elements from the land; not to sustain an egregious wrong, but to unite all our energies in the grand effort to remedy that wrong."

Frederick Douglas - Lecture on Slavery - December 8, 1850

sharpenanother's review against another edition

5.0

This second autobiography by Douglass is even more powerful than his first. He provides a more in-depth narrative of his life in slavery and after his escape. It's a terrible and inspiring story that left me amazed by his strength in all areas of life. His meditations and arguments were extremely interesting and compelling. His writing is eloquent and incisive.

ezzy's review against another edition

 I read a different edition

colbybowser's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0