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2.01k reviews for:
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (Original Classic Edition): An American Slave
Frederick Douglass
4.14 AVERAGE
2.01k reviews for:
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (Original Classic Edition): An American Slave
Frederick Douglass
4.14 AVERAGE
An essential, haunting account of Douglass' fight for his freedom from slavery during the antebellum era. This narrative provides a vivid portrait of the physical and psychological torments the slaves endured while offering an important critique of the Christian hypocrisy that was used to justify the depravity. Interestingly, Douglass' work also emerges as an unlikely testimony to the power of language and reading. Truly a must-read.
A devastating but necessary book. Everyone should read it.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
It is shocking and saddening to read the torments of slavery, but to know our sad history, one must read about it. I, of course knew of Frederick Douglass, but didn't know his story. I'm glad I know now, but this is only the beginning of his life's work. I wish to also read about his work after becoming free.
A very powerful book I encourage all Americans to read.
“Be faithful, be vigilant, be untiring in your efforts to break every yoke, and let the oppressed go free”
“No longer make merit of standing idly by while he is hunted in our midst”
“A happy slave is an extinct man”
“ I have often song to drown my sorrow, but seldom to express my happiness”
“Angelic face gave place to that of a demon”
“ he who proclaims it a religious duty to read the Bible denies me the right of learning to read the name of God who made me”
Birthday
Mother
Very high esteem- to see Baltimore
Great farm house - singing
Wrongly accusing - no black man can testify or make case against white man
Abc - Auld “great deal of harm”
“LF SA” “ask him to beat that” - learning in competition
Captain Anthony death- reminder of property
Covey- from then forth -
Christmas
Mr gardner
Upperground railroad
“Be faithful, be vigilant, be untiring in your efforts to break every yoke, and let the oppressed go free”
“No longer make merit of standing idly by while he is hunted in our midst”
“A happy slave is an extinct man”
“ I have often song to drown my sorrow, but seldom to express my happiness”
“Angelic face gave place to that of a demon”
“ he who proclaims it a religious duty to read the Bible denies me the right of learning to read the name of God who made me”
Birthday
Mother
Very high esteem- to see Baltimore
Great farm house - singing
Wrongly accusing - no black man can testify or make case against white man
Abc - Auld “great deal of harm”
“LF SA” “ask him to beat that” - learning in competition
Captain Anthony death- reminder of property
Covey- from then forth -
Christmas
Mr gardner
Upperground railroad
An indispensable account of the brutality of slavery, Narrative is, besides historically and politically significant, an excellently written book. The best and most interesting parts of the book to me are the period in which Douglass is doubly enslaved, first by his master, and secondarily by his boss on the docks where he is a wage slave. The product of his labor is stollen twice over and to me paints a small picture of the wage slavery system. Next when he tricked the young white boys in the streets into teaching him to read I found humor and appreciation for his wit. And finally when he beats his overseer into submission and gains a small freedom I found inspiration and elation.
A remarkable book written by a man who taught himself to read and write. It's a short read, about 160 pages, and is Douglass's account of his life from birth until several years after his escape to the North. It's an eloquent, yet straight-forward, accounting of his experiences and thoughts.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Colonisation
A wonderful, touching, real, and just extraordinary read. This is coming from a non-american who knew near to nothing about the history of slavery in the US.