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Summary: Literature that will manage to affect a deeper part of you
Review: As soon as I began reading this book, I knew it would have an effect on me. I found it captivating and disturbing from the beginning, allowing me a direct insight on slavery. By the second chapter, I became emotionally engulfed in the novel, feeling pain, frustration and anger as I read on. <i>Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass</i> really fills in the gaps in African American education. Where statistics were once offered, this first hand account is much more believable, personalized, and very heartfelt. There are many valuable lessons to be learned from this book. The power of education and Douglass's determination to rise from being a slave made me very appreciative of what today's world offers, education wise and otherwise. After reading it, I felt a real need to grasp life and take every oppurtunity that comes along, really utilizing everything that I have been given. It also serves as a reminder of the horrific effects of discrimination, and the hideous nature of racism. It is also written very eloquently, so much so that if it were not for the subject matter, it would be easy to forget that this book was written by a man who had spent much of his life as a slave, deprived of an education. Overall an excellent book that provokes a very powerful emotional response. I reccomend it for anyone to read.
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Summary: A honest look at slavery
Review: Perhaps more so than any other account, Douglass gives us a look into the life of a slave. I enjoy this book on many level. Douglass writes honestly and in a factual tone. He does mince his words when he describes the brutality of slavery. Douglass demonstrates that he is an intelligent man despite his lack of education. He taight himself to read. To our youth, this demonstrates the value of education. Douglass also show Americans manipulated the work of God even in his time. Yet, Douglass found strength in that God. I think the quality I enjoyed most about this book is the fact that Douglass does not see himself as a hero, but as an average slave. This is not a typical characteristic of an autobiography. I read this book for the second time coming and going on 3 hour flights. The book is a short read, but well worth your time to read of atriumph of the human spirit.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely required reading.
Review: Anyone who wishes to be considered at all educated in the history of the United States MUST read this book. The period of this history is absolutely critical to an understanding of the country both before and after that time, as well, obviously, as during that time. And without reading the account of this great American of his experiences, one can not, truly, understand that time period. Granted, there will be those who will argue, "But why should we need to read an anti-slavery tract; there's no one alive now who would argue in favor of slavery, or deny that it was a great evil. To read a book whose primary purpose was to convince people of what is now considered obvious is pointless." But the same argument could be used to apply to reading a biography of George Washington, or Thomas Jefferson. Most of the issues that were important to them are currently decided, and decided in their favor. Yet it is still considered neccessary for an educated American to have at least a passing idea of the history of their lives. The same is true of Frederick Douglass. The man risked his life for freedom, just as surely as did Patrick Henry, or any of the founding fathers, and his history is just as much a part of this country as theirs is; further, it is worth seeing just how literate a man born in slavery, not only self-taught, but self-taught on the sly, against every effort of his oppressors to stifle his education, can be. His facility for language is frankly better than 90% of modern Americans of any color, in spite of virtually universal education. He was a great man, and deserves to be recognized as such.
Rating:
Summary: Truely Amazing
Review: This was relatively a quick read,yet very compelling. When reading a book that envolves such a major person in American as well as African American History you can not help but to be drawn to the strength and courage of their dreams. Fredrick Douglass and his struggle for freedom and equality is a story that should be required reading for anyone that is in the Public and Private School Systems. The story tells of the physical as well as the mental struggle this man went through to finally have dignity and an anchor for those that needed guidance. The accounts of each master, each whipping, each demeaning jesture should make EVERYONE realize how easy we have it today.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful
Review: I was putting together a reading list for my Junior High American History students, and I listened to this audiotape. The words of the author are so clear and concise, so powerful and dramatic, that I added it to my list. I had two students choose this book for their projects. Both were so impressed with the book that they wanted to also hear the tape. Both students stated that this is one of the best books (of any genre) they have ever read.
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Summary: Every American should read this book
Review: Like my subject line says - every American should read this book. Frederick Douglass's life is so essential to the history of the United States that I don't know how you could understand the country without understanding his life. The Narrative takes you from his early childhood in Maryland, shows you his burning desire as a young man to learn to read, and, eventually, follows him through to freedom in the north. The scene of Douglass's fight with the "slave-breaker" is one of the greatest scenes in literature - it has almost Biblical proportions. I can't reccomend this book highly enough.
Rating:
Summary: poignant slavery discussion
Review: a poignant discussion and expose of the horrors of slavery excellently wrtten. no exagerrations here. a must read
Rating:
Summary: A watershed in slave narratives
Review: This is an excellent narrative from a slave of the highest acumen. This books details the oppression that Douglass went through before he finally escaped to freedom. Douglass wrote several autobiographies, but this is the most read. This narrative is in a genre that was popular with abolitionists in the pre-war north. The reader should note that most of the narratives written at that time had a rigid caste, so Douglass' narrative is not as original as it might seem. In his later autobiographies he contradicts some important events in this narrative. However, with that said, it is still a book of the highest order. I gave the book 5 stars because it is truly a masterpiece, in both writing and theme, and therefore should be read by all who can. I've recommended this book to my friends and they all agree. The Dover edition is only about 80 pages long, so it can easily be read in one or two sittings. One more caveat; if you are interested in learning about how Douglass escaped to freedom, this is not the book. I was a little disappointed because Douglass did not give any details about his escape to New York. The book was published in pre-war America, and he could not risk exposing those who had helped him to the general public. Nevertheless, this book is gripping and will hold you till the very end.
Rating: 
Summary: Education is the key to social elevation
Review: It is amazing how much power and truth is contained within this short book. It is an all-important piece of literature that has the power to change social and racial perceptions.
Rating:
Summary: Education is the key to social elevation
Review: This masterful autobiography vividly shows the extreme importance of education in improving any situation. Frederick Douglass's life is the most astounding example of the power of knowledge that I have ever encountered. Literacy spawned a social conscience that allowed Douglass to not only identify the social injustice about him, but also gave him the ability to escape his predicament. This story of courage, strength, heartache, and triumph is an invaluable piece of historical literature. It is a book that, just like the Autobiography of Malcolm X, holds the power to change social and racial perceptions for the better. Do not hesitate to read and re-read the powerful truth that lies within this short book.
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