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Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Man
Born into slavery in 1818, Frederick Douglass rose to become one of the nation’s foremost intellectuals—a statesman, author, lecturer, and scholar who helped lead the fight against slavery and racial oppression. Unlike other leading abolitionists, however, Douglass embraced the U.S. Constitution, insisting that it was an essentially anti-slavery document and that its guarantees for individual rights belonged to all Americans, of whatever race. As the nation pauses to remember Douglass on his bicentennial, Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Man gives us an insightful glimpse into the mind of one of America’s greatest thinkers.
140 pages, Paperback
Published March 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 18, 2021
For its length, this was a rich book. Sandefur draws on his extensive knowledge of abolitionist history and a deep understanding of the principles at stake in the Civil War to paint a rich portrait of Douglass’s life. Readers who know Douglass primarily from his Narrative will learn explicitly what was implicit there: that Douglass wasn’t just defiant—he was prideful; that he wasn’t just thoughtful—he was a genuine intellectual; that he wasn’t just a rabble-rouser—he was a pioneering and accomplished champion for liberty; that he wasn’t just a former slave—he was a man. At the close, Sandefur’s characterization of Douglass as a late Founding Father will appear not only manifest, but just.
March 4, 2023
Sandefur’s theme for this is that there have been many studies/works about Douglass that focus on his life and his outstanding story (although even here he thinks perhaps not enough), but that there hasn’t been a work that focuses on his intellectual and political philosophy (including contributions to constitutional law), and that his contributions here are significant and deserve more targeted treatment. So this brief work places its focus on this while traversing his life.
Overall I learned a lot about Douglass from this and it is definitely worth the read. Douglass started in an obviously atrocious and impossible environment for learning, which is described in detail, and managed to escape the hell to go on to be a leader in political and intellectual thought. Sandefur uses the term genius to describe what was needed for a man to make this ascent, and I couldn’t agree more.
To sum up Douglass’s political philosophy, Sandefur uses the term classical liberal often, and he definitely makes the case for why this is so. While growing in the abolitionist movement, Douglass lands on the idea that the constitution supports the idea that slavery can and should be outlawed by the federal government, and that this is essentially underpinned and supported by the Declaration of Independence. Thus, his contributions to constitutional law lay in this area and you’ll want to read the book for the details.
All the above and learning how Douglass’s thoughts fit into the larger intellectual/political/constitutional law philosophies on slavery from both the abolitionist side and the slavery side of the time make this worth the read.
One gripe… although Sandefur uses the term classical liberal often, there is also a short passage where he says Douglass’s politics can be best described as “libertarian”, as to why some of his ideas comes off as Republican and some Democrat (when thinking in modern terms). I generally dislike trying to compare modern politics to politics of long ago, but this comparison comes off as particularly terrible to me. Perhaps Sandefur has a precise definition of “libertarian” that does fit what he describes Douglass as in the book, and I probably know what he meant by the passage, but the modern libertarian movement is anything but precise, and especially surrounding Civil War era politics. The libertarian movement and party have popularized the idea that the Civil War was primarily not a war on slavery, authors like DiLorenzo have created hack job writings on Lincoln and civil War Era politics, and they have recently moved closer to Rothbard’s anarchism. All of these things are in staunch opposition to Douglass’s politics and philosophy and the association left a bad taste in my mouth. I think some clarification on that passage would have helped (explain what was meant by and not meant by libertarian). I think classical liberal was sufficient.
Overall I learned a lot about Douglass from this and it is definitely worth the read. Douglass started in an obviously atrocious and impossible environment for learning, which is described in detail, and managed to escape the hell to go on to be a leader in political and intellectual thought. Sandefur uses the term genius to describe what was needed for a man to make this ascent, and I couldn’t agree more.
To sum up Douglass’s political philosophy, Sandefur uses the term classical liberal often, and he definitely makes the case for why this is so. While growing in the abolitionist movement, Douglass lands on the idea that the constitution supports the idea that slavery can and should be outlawed by the federal government, and that this is essentially underpinned and supported by the Declaration of Independence. Thus, his contributions to constitutional law lay in this area and you’ll want to read the book for the details.
All the above and learning how Douglass’s thoughts fit into the larger intellectual/political/constitutional law philosophies on slavery from both the abolitionist side and the slavery side of the time make this worth the read.
One gripe… although Sandefur uses the term classical liberal often, there is also a short passage where he says Douglass’s politics can be best described as “libertarian”, as to why some of his ideas comes off as Republican and some Democrat (when thinking in modern terms). I generally dislike trying to compare modern politics to politics of long ago, but this comparison comes off as particularly terrible to me. Perhaps Sandefur has a precise definition of “libertarian” that does fit what he describes Douglass as in the book, and I probably know what he meant by the passage, but the modern libertarian movement is anything but precise, and especially surrounding Civil War era politics. The libertarian movement and party have popularized the idea that the Civil War was primarily not a war on slavery, authors like DiLorenzo have created hack job writings on Lincoln and civil War Era politics, and they have recently moved closer to Rothbard’s anarchism. All of these things are in staunch opposition to Douglass’s politics and philosophy and the association left a bad taste in my mouth. I think some clarification on that passage would have helped (explain what was meant by and not meant by libertarian). I think classical liberal was sufficient.
November 26, 2018
The best way to learn about this great man is to read his own words in his autobiography, My Bondage and My Freedom (reviewed here). There have been many scholars who have written about Douglass since that time. Sandefur, who is a constitutional lawyer, as well as authority on Douglass, has produced a particularly relevant work considering present day concerns and politics.
There have always been divisions within the civil rights movement, dating back to the abolitionists before the civil war. There are those who felt the Constitution was evil because it condoned and legally institutionalized the sins of slavery. The great abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison, felt it was a “covenant with death” and advocated non-participation in political elections. Civil disobedience, non-violent demonstrations, and rhetoric were preferable alternatives.
Douglass, originally an acolyte of Garrison’s, eventually came to his own, opposite conclusion. As Sandefur notes,
The U.S . Constitution was worthy of respect because its institutions regarded each individual as worthy of respect — or would , if its principles were faithfully implemented.
Garrison and Douglass had a falling out that never was completely reconciled. Their debate, in one form or another, persists down to the present time. Douglass took the position that the Constitution was at its heart a great document that was written by imperfect humans. After the civil war those parts of the constitution that legalized slavery were removed. The ideals of the Declaration of Independence were codified by Constitution. Perhaps never completely attainable, they nevertheless were engendered by the best human impulses. As far advancement of the downtrodden black population, Douglass pointed to his own example:
Who would be free , themselves must strike the blow.
Sandefur explains Douglass' principles.
Freedom was not , and could never be, a gift given to black Americans by the white majority… only by taking responsibility for their own fates — through hard work , education , and diligence ; by undertaking the duties of citizenship on the battlefield, in elections , and in the jury box; by demanding and meriting an equal place in democratic society — could black Americans achieve and deserve their own liberty.
If you haven’t read Douglass you should. This book could serve as a worthy introduction to, or a short, thoughtful exploration of, the life of this consequential American.
There have always been divisions within the civil rights movement, dating back to the abolitionists before the civil war. There are those who felt the Constitution was evil because it condoned and legally institutionalized the sins of slavery. The great abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison, felt it was a “covenant with death” and advocated non-participation in political elections. Civil disobedience, non-violent demonstrations, and rhetoric were preferable alternatives.
Douglass, originally an acolyte of Garrison’s, eventually came to his own, opposite conclusion. As Sandefur notes,
The U.S . Constitution was worthy of respect because its institutions regarded each individual as worthy of respect — or would , if its principles were faithfully implemented.
Garrison and Douglass had a falling out that never was completely reconciled. Their debate, in one form or another, persists down to the present time. Douglass took the position that the Constitution was at its heart a great document that was written by imperfect humans. After the civil war those parts of the constitution that legalized slavery were removed. The ideals of the Declaration of Independence were codified by Constitution. Perhaps never completely attainable, they nevertheless were engendered by the best human impulses. As far advancement of the downtrodden black population, Douglass pointed to his own example:
Who would be free , themselves must strike the blow.
Sandefur explains Douglass' principles.
Freedom was not , and could never be, a gift given to black Americans by the white majority… only by taking responsibility for their own fates — through hard work , education , and diligence ; by undertaking the duties of citizenship on the battlefield, in elections , and in the jury box; by demanding and meriting an equal place in democratic society — could black Americans achieve and deserve their own liberty.
If you haven’t read Douglass you should. This book could serve as a worthy introduction to, or a short, thoughtful exploration of, the life of this consequential American.
December 17, 2022
Frederick Douglass ranks near the top of Americans, in my estimation, for his courageous and consistent defense of liberty. It's all the more amazing that he did this after being born into slavery and while enduring racial hostility all his life. Timothy Sandefur's Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Man is an excellent, if brief, presentation of his ideas, battles, and accomplishments.
The book focuses on Douglass's ideas and efforts to bring them into reality. Other aspects of his life, such as how he educated himself while under a prohibition on literacy, get a rather brief treatment; readers interested in them will want to look at other books, including Douglass's autobiography.
After escaping from slavery, Douglass became one of America's leading abolitionists; Sandefur ranks him as second only to William Lloyd Garrison. The book shows that Douglass argued that the United States Constitution was an anti-slavery document, in spite of its references to "persons held to service" and "other persons." "We the people," he said, meant just that, and not "we the white people."
The book divides Douglass's life into a series of periods, each getting a chapter and dealing with a different challenge. After the Civil War, he opposed the efforts to return de facto slavery to the South. Sandefur shows that the results were often frustrating for him, but he persisted.
Sandefur stresses Douglass's consistency; he didn't think "we the people" meant "we the male people," and he was a steady advocate of women's suffrage.
Douglass isn't popular with some of today's "anti-racists." He would never have accepted permanent victimhood, race identity, and hostility toward whites as a path toward black success. Sandefur regards his views as predominantly classical liberal, an outlook which is as far from today's right as it is from the left.
Readers looking for an easy-to-read guide to Douglass's role in the history of slavery and race relations will do well to consider this book.
The book focuses on Douglass's ideas and efforts to bring them into reality. Other aspects of his life, such as how he educated himself while under a prohibition on literacy, get a rather brief treatment; readers interested in them will want to look at other books, including Douglass's autobiography.
After escaping from slavery, Douglass became one of America's leading abolitionists; Sandefur ranks him as second only to William Lloyd Garrison. The book shows that Douglass argued that the United States Constitution was an anti-slavery document, in spite of its references to "persons held to service" and "other persons." "We the people," he said, meant just that, and not "we the white people."
The book divides Douglass's life into a series of periods, each getting a chapter and dealing with a different challenge. After the Civil War, he opposed the efforts to return de facto slavery to the South. Sandefur shows that the results were often frustrating for him, but he persisted.
Sandefur stresses Douglass's consistency; he didn't think "we the people" meant "we the male people," and he was a steady advocate of women's suffrage.
Douglass isn't popular with some of today's "anti-racists." He would never have accepted permanent victimhood, race identity, and hostility toward whites as a path toward black success. Sandefur regards his views as predominantly classical liberal, an outlook which is as far from today's right as it is from the left.
Readers looking for an easy-to-read guide to Douglass's role in the history of slavery and race relations will do well to consider this book.
March 28, 2018
In the words of my eight-year-old son: “Frederick Douglass is cool!” Timothy Sandefur’s new book on Douglass is a pithy account of why he is so cool. In this tightly and clearly written account of Douglass’ life and legacy, Sandefur persuasively makes the case that Douglass is an important and central figure of 19th century American politics and should be for the 20th and 21st centuries as well. He highlights the nuance, depth, and breadth of Douglass’ intellectual achievements: not just on the abolition movement but also on constitutional and political theory more broadly.
Sandefur shows how Douglass’s ideas, style, and methods influenced in various ways thinkers and activists such as Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, and Martin Luther King, Jr. He details Douglass’ self-made rise from bondage to dining with and influencing U.S. Presidents.
The one “problem” with the book is that it will inspire you to go out and read more about Douglass and by Douglass.
Sandefur shows how Douglass’s ideas, style, and methods influenced in various ways thinkers and activists such as Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, and Martin Luther King, Jr. He details Douglass’ self-made rise from bondage to dining with and influencing U.S. Presidents.
The one “problem” with the book is that it will inspire you to go out and read more about Douglass and by Douglass.
November 8, 2018
100% must-read! The life, work, and genius of Douglass deserve to be as well-known as those of any of the 20th century's civil rights warriors. Sandefur does a great job of framing Douglass' arguments in terms that resonate with modern-day concerns (socialism, property rights, Constitutionalism, etc.).
September 13, 2022
A nice, brief summary of Frederick Douglass' life.
My rating is due to the rather Cato Institute, libertarian bias and the theme of the "self-made man." I get it. Frederick Douglass was a remarkable person by any measure and he presents a superb example of a life well-lived. BUT there were millions of enslaved people from this era and one has to recognize Douglass' specific circumstances (the two-hour standoff with the slave overseer Covey, for example, could've ended VERY differently).
I would recommend the book, however, for someone looking for a concise biography of Frederick Douglass.
My rating is due to the rather Cato Institute, libertarian bias and the theme of the "self-made man." I get it. Frederick Douglass was a remarkable person by any measure and he presents a superb example of a life well-lived. BUT there were millions of enslaved people from this era and one has to recognize Douglass' specific circumstances (the two-hour standoff with the slave overseer Covey, for example, could've ended VERY differently).
I would recommend the book, however, for someone looking for a concise biography of Frederick Douglass.
June 16, 2021
Excellent, and short, introduction to the life and thought of Frederick Douglass, who should be more appreciated in his own country.
April 28, 2019
Easy short read on one of the greatest Americans.
October 28, 2019
In 2018 the Cato Institute published a short volume on Frederick Douglass - a truly remarkable figure. Douglass was born a slave but became an important figure in the fight to abolish slavery, a renowned public orator and writer and a person who served a variety of public roles.
His story is compelling. As a teenager his master sent him to a slave breaker because of his "rebellious" demeanor - after about a year of intense abuse - he fought back against this guy and stopped to beatings. Much of what he did he did on his own - he taught himself to read and write and sought out some of the classics of literature and philosophy. Although he was an important figure in the abolitionist fights he was never willing to allow some more prominent figures to force him to modify his beliefs. He was a contemporary of several presidents (including an advisor to a couple) and to every prominent figure of the time including Garrison. (With whom he split on fundamental tactics of engagement.)
He believed in the power of individual determination - he once asked rhetorically "What do the Negros want Whites to do for them?" His answer was nothing - let us do it for ourselves. He rejected the calls for returning Blacks back to Africa. He was a lifelong Republican but recognized the inherent weaknesses of politics. He rejected socialism. He thought unions, with their exclusionary policies, were ultimately detrimental. In short he had a complex and well thought out set of philosophies which were able to be moderated as time and circumstances changed.
This is a short book - but packed with information and a well developed exposition of his thinking.
His story is compelling. As a teenager his master sent him to a slave breaker because of his "rebellious" demeanor - after about a year of intense abuse - he fought back against this guy and stopped to beatings. Much of what he did he did on his own - he taught himself to read and write and sought out some of the classics of literature and philosophy. Although he was an important figure in the abolitionist fights he was never willing to allow some more prominent figures to force him to modify his beliefs. He was a contemporary of several presidents (including an advisor to a couple) and to every prominent figure of the time including Garrison. (With whom he split on fundamental tactics of engagement.)
He believed in the power of individual determination - he once asked rhetorically "What do the Negros want Whites to do for them?" His answer was nothing - let us do it for ourselves. He rejected the calls for returning Blacks back to Africa. He was a lifelong Republican but recognized the inherent weaknesses of politics. He rejected socialism. He thought unions, with their exclusionary policies, were ultimately detrimental. In short he had a complex and well thought out set of philosophies which were able to be moderated as time and circumstances changed.
This is a short book - but packed with information and a well developed exposition of his thinking.
October 29, 2019
Well researched. Astute insights into Douglass's assessments of the United States Constitution as a document of freedom when properly interpreted. A must read for any fan of this truly remarkable man!
November 15, 2019
Timothy Sandefur's, "Frederick Douglass"is unique it its emphasis on Douglass as a defender of American Constitutionalism. Eventually rejecting the views of benefactor, William Lloyd Garrison, that the Constitution was essentially a pro-slavery document, Douglass recognized that nothing in it gave slavery sanction, and that indeed slavery was irreconcilable to its intent-- a rupture from it. This Anti-slavery Constitutionalism was perhaps most radically exemplified by Douglass' friend, Charles Sumner who initially opposed the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments arguing that they could be inferred within the original Constitution. While not as secure in his beliefs as Sumner, still Douglass fought not for the overthrow of the Constitution, but rather to put it into practice. In this, Douglass' philosophy was conservative.... preserving and expanding founding American principles rather than calling for their demolition. Douglass' essential agreement not necessarily with what the founders did or said, but with the Constitution as written, makes him, indicates Sandefur, a Classical Liberal, a Constitutional Conservative, but also a radical for individualism and the virtues of "self reliance, industry, and personal pride". Sandefur writes..."Douglass believed, and with good reason, that if Americans would adhere to their Constitution, theirs would be a free, dynamic and sometimes rough and boisterous society, but one in which people could MAKE themselves." A great dream to be churned into reality.
Speaking of current day critics of this American dream the author goes on to say that when they "criticize [Frederick Douglass'] belief in individualism, private property, free enterprise and constitutionalism, it says more about them than about him."
Perhaps this is why in an age of American self-hatred, he is not more fully vetted as an American Hero. Sandefur's book is in part an effort to rectify this oversight. And definitely a good read.
Speaking of current day critics of this American dream the author goes on to say that when they "criticize [Frederick Douglass'] belief in individualism, private property, free enterprise and constitutionalism, it says more about them than about him."
Perhaps this is why in an age of American self-hatred, he is not more fully vetted as an American Hero. Sandefur's book is in part an effort to rectify this oversight. And definitely a good read.
May 17, 2019
Some incredible takeaways from this book. That a man who came up as a slave would be one of the staunchest defenders of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence... I've often said that immigrants and those without freedom are the people that really get what the American experiment was/is really all about. That the ideals born of Enlightenment thinking were far more powerful than the weak application of those principals at the time. It was because of those ideals and their intent that slavery had no chance for survival, if only Americans had the courage to live up to those ideals. Douglass saw this. Another lasting impression on me was Douglass in his later years, traveling to Egypt and climbing to the top of The Great Pyramid of Giza - in his 70s!!! I can only imagine what it must have been like to be up there, to relish that view while thinking back on his life.
May 31, 2018
3.5 Stars. Made me really want to read his autobiography. I felt like the ending was by far much stronger in line with what the title and synopsis teased. I’d read this author again and plan on reading the Douglas autobiography.
July 30, 2018
Sandefur does a great job laying out Douglass's accomplishments and challenges,providing context for both so we can relate to it today. It was not explicitly a chronological biography. It was highly readable and very informative.
September 1, 2018
A great book which not only describes the incredible life of a great man, but carefully articulates the differences between theories on how best to promote liberty and live up to this country’s aspirations as stated in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
March 18, 2019
What I most appreciate about this book is the first-hand account of a man who struggled successfully to rise far above the oppressive circumstances he was born into. While focusing on the historical and political rights issues involved with slavery, he equally gives due attention to the suffering and emotional issues that slaves endured. There are many lessons within this concise book. Frederick Douglass took risks that fortunately worked out, resulting in a freedom to think and earn for himself. Even then, he faced political factions within his own cause and an ambivalent bureaucracy from the part of the state that supposedly espoused freedom for all. More than anything, this book inspires us to realize that even the greatest nations can be built on practices that take many generations to reconcile.
September 22, 2019
Compelling profile of a critically important early leader of African American independence, whose statue is in the US Capitol, who met with several Presidents, including Lincoln, and who had a profound effect on the transition from slavery to civil rights. Frustratingly, you can see how slow progress was made at the time, and it must have confounded southerners to have such an articulate intellectual speak to the constitutional rights of not only blacks, but women and Native Americans. I would be interested in a movie adaptation of Douglass' life - I think it would be fascinating.
September 22, 2019
Compelling profile of a critically important early leader of African American independence, whose statue is in the US Capitol, who met with several Presidents, including Lincoln, and who had a profound effect on the transition from slavery to civil rights. Frustratingly, you can see how slow progress was made at the time, and it must have confounded southerners to have such an articulate intellectual speak to the constitutional rights of not only blacks, but women and Native Americans. I would be interested in a movie adaptation of Douglass' life - I think it would be fascinating.
March 22, 2021
It’s a good book - short, sweet, and to the point. It’s enough to give a good base knowledge of Frederick Douglass. It didn’t go into a lot of specific details, which is fine. It gives enough to encourage the reader to do more reading. And it leaves room for Douglass’ autobiographical narrative. While it whets one’s appetite for more, it is also compete in its brevity. If you don’t read more about Fredrick Douglass, what you’ve read here is a good base of his life and his contributions to history. I enjoyed the read and feel like I’ve learned a lot, too.
March 15, 2023
This was a fascinating description of Frederick Douglass' life. I only had a passing familiarity with him from quotes in history books or in the PBS documentary "The Civil War". This book helped to bring him to life. The author is a guest on a podcast I listen to, and is a scholarly and interesting guy in his on right. The hosts had mentioned this book a couple of times in conjunction with his appearances, which prompted me to check it out. I'd definitely recommend this.
October 23, 2021
I gained a newfound respect for Douglass and his role in achieving equality thanks to this book. It is written very precisely with authority and doesn't go off down irrelevant rabbit holes. This book should be required reading in all high schools. However, his consistent pro-Constituional stance might stand to be problematic to many indoctrination centers.
May 2, 2022
Sandefur reminds of us two under-appreciated aspects of Douglass’ legacy: his passionate constitutionalist and classic liberal views of liberty and the American founding, and his accomplishments not merely as an activist and abolitionist but as an intellectual giant, who deserves a rightful place as one of the greatest thinkers in not only American history, but in the modern age.
December 25, 2025
A terrific (and short!) book. Unlike some abolitionists (such as the anarchist William Lloyd Garrison) who believed the Constitution was fundamentally pro-slavery, Douglass came to see it as an inherently anti-slavery document whose principles of liberty and equality extended to all Americans. This book focuses less on his life and more on his philosophy.
September 3, 2023
This is my first read about Frederick Douglass, so I can't put it in the context of other biographies. But it was informative. One lesson I take from this is that it's misleading to look at historical events only through contemporary lenses.
May 10, 2018
Good overview of Frederick Douglass' life. Not big on details, however.
May 28, 2018
Good for a quick overview.
April 30, 2020
What an amazing life a true American hero. They need to make a movie about his life. How far we’ve come but how incredibly far we still have to go to make a equality for all our reality.
June 11, 2021
Recommend for all school reading.
September 9, 2021
A short dense read about a truly inspirational American.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews