Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

by an American Slave Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Genres: Classics, American History, Memoir, History

300 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Benno Knobloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book particularly for those who seek to fathom the evils of the American slave system. Though I much prefer the longer autobiography of Fredrick Douglas „My Bondage and my Freedom“ which provides much greater insight into his particular story.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“…education and slavery were incompatible with each other.”

[Daze]

I read an excerpt of Douglass's bio back in high school but missed a lot of details on how he lived and what led to his emancipation. Written in the early 1800s, this book is charged with great historical significance as it offers us a detailed account of the deeply entrenched brutalities and lingering oppression of minorities. Though we have come a long way since the physical enslavement of humans, slavery is still a relevant issue in today's world since its manifestation is existent albeit in subtle and elusive ways i.e. the wage slavery that keeps us stuck in a mindless 9-5 job in order to survive. The novel inspires hope for what feels like an inescapable purgatory.

[Tracy Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perspectives from a man that grew up in slavery. He compared city slaves and plantation slaves. He learned how to read. He talked about how it (knowing how to read) was both a blessing and a curse. He also talked about the cost of slavery to the slaveholder, especially when that person had not grown up with slaves but then acquired one or more. That person had to harden their heart and become cruel. He later was able to escape slavery.

I felt I could not read this book before bed because of the injustices described.

[Juanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good and speaks the real truth of slavery and how it affects the slaves themselves. Douglass was a very strong slave enduring so much and thankfully was able to be free. I enjoyed the book but only was slumped in chapter 10 because it was length of 3-4 chapters. But overall I loved the meaning and intention behind this book. Douglas’s hoped it would get the experience and sad truth of the American slave system. Great book with so much meaning behind it.

[Elizabeth Steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unvarnished telling of the life of Frederick Douglass as a slave. His thoughts on freedom and morality while under the subjugation of those who thought nothing of treating human beings as livestock. Details his determination to be free, his failures and triumphs along the way. All of this leading to his acceptance in the North as a voice of the abolition movement.

[RA · Rating 4 out of 5]

short classic#4

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound insights into what slavery does both to the enslaved and also the enslavers- especially what it does to their religious expression (it's not good).

[P M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be mandatory reading in high school.

[James Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed me. Brought it to real life.

[Samiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A million stars for this moving, eloquent, brutal, memorable book.

[Jessica FS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Insightful. Prepare to read of the frightening truths of American slavery. I really enjoyed reading this.