A review by amandalywarren
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

5.0

I do not jest when I say that every American should read this book. It was equally sobering and inspiring, but should not be simply relegated to a reminder or a teaching tool. This is the story of a real man whose faith and determination allowed him the freedom to tell this story, and as a result we should be both grateful and careful. Grateful that we have such accounts through which to learn what we may not have been taught. And careful not to repeat a history so brutal as to deny the humanity of any other person.

I cannot but marvel that such a man could recount an experience so horrific without turning to bitterness or resentment. Maybe he felt those things outside of this writing, but he does not even hint. His desire for this work to be helpful and beneficial to readers far surpasses my expectations and leads me only to a place of gratitude, to have been among his readers.