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A review by maigahannatu
Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
David W. Blight is one of the foremost experts and historians on the life of Frederick Douglass and the depth and breadth of this book reflect that. At 764 pages, this book is not for the faint of heart!
Dr Blight tells Douglass's story as faithfully as he can based on his research. There is some conjecture and reading between the lines, but mostly Dr Blight writes without infusing much of his personal opinion.
Douglass was a fugitive run away slave. His master's wife had given him some reading lessons, but that was the only formal education he ever had. Based on those few lessons, he taught himself to read, devoured any books he could get his hands on, and eventually became one of the best known orators of his day. He was a genius in his handling of both the written and spoken word.
Douglass joined the fight for abolition of slavery, fought to get black men admitted to the military to fight during the civil war, fought for voting rights for black men, and fought against Jim Crow laws and the frequent lynchings that took place. He had his own personal struggles and Dr Blight does a good job humanizing Douglass, a man who could easily become larger than life in our eyes.
Overall this was a good book. Reading this piece of American history reveals how racism has always been a part of our history and how we need to join Douglass in continuing to fight against it.
Dr Blight tells Douglass's story as faithfully as he can based on his research. There is some conjecture and reading between the lines, but mostly Dr Blight writes without infusing much of his personal opinion.
Douglass was a fugitive run away slave. His master's wife had given him some reading lessons, but that was the only formal education he ever had. Based on those few lessons, he taught himself to read, devoured any books he could get his hands on, and eventually became one of the best known orators of his day. He was a genius in his handling of both the written and spoken word.
Douglass joined the fight for abolition of slavery, fought to get black men admitted to the military to fight during the civil war, fought for voting rights for black men, and fought against Jim Crow laws and the frequent lynchings that took place. He had his own personal struggles and Dr Blight does a good job humanizing Douglass, a man who could easily become larger than life in our eyes.
Overall this was a good book. Reading this piece of American history reveals how racism has always been a part of our history and how we need to join Douglass in continuing to fight against it.