Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

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Summary: A stunningly unforgettable story
Review: I can add little to what has been said, except that I wish this book had been required reading when I was in public school. Many of the images of American slavery that we have today - in movies and in popular literature - were born from slave narratives such as this. But seldom do they capture with such clarity the dehumanization of both the slave and slaveholder that Douglass depicts. His eloquence and passion have been echoed by many civil rights leaders since, and many Douglass passages are undeniable influences on the metre and vocabulary of the writings of Martin Luther King, Jr. This is a must read for all people.

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Summary: How pious priests whip Jack and Nell
Review: This is a horrific piece of history. Mr Frederick Douglass (1818-95) was the foremost African-American Ablitionist of the Antebellum period. Born a slave-for-life, he nonetheless, devised ingenious methods of learning to read. "From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom" Mrs Auld had begun teaching him to read until Mr Auld forcefully explained the danger of teaching Douglass. Douglass continued unabated in his single-minded desire, unassisted. "Though conscious of the difficulty of learning without a teacher, I set out with high hope, and a fixed purpose, at whatever cost of trouble, to learn how to read." Once his mind was freed, he set himself to free his physical body, escaping to Massachusetts where he became a dominant force in the abolitionists' crusade. This narrative was very popular. Within three years of its release in 1845, it had sold 11,000 copies, gone through nine English editions and had been translated into both French and Dutch. Not only was it a popular success, but critical response was overwhelmingly enthuastic, as well. Douglass went on to launch a journalistic career that would occupy the rest of his life. This is truly a great story about a great man who influenced the course of history. Furthermore, his words have caused me to reëxamine my own behaviours and dispositions. This is the part of this book which I find so horrific. Some may not find it inconsistent and politically unjustifiable that this institutionalised genocide was accepted practice in the "land of free, the home of the brave." That the same men who signed a "Declaration of Independence" purgered themselves because they had no serious intention that "all men were created equal" or "granted inalienable rights" when many were slaveholders of the type and variety of those described in this narrative. How could it happen that otherwise law-abiding men and women (yes, Douglass tells us that the "fairer" sex was handy with whip and rod) murder, rape, and mutilate with impunity? Further that these same people considered themselves morally righteous, god-fearing and faithful to the teachings of the Christ, Jesus. Even more inconceivable is that their ministers were, not only supportive of this heinous crime, but also were participants as they themselves were slaveholders. These were not obscure local ministers, either, but organizations whose influence was national, both South and North. After describing these experiences, I cannot find fault in what Mr Douglass writes, "I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land. Indeed, I can see no reason, but the most deceitful one, for calling the religious of this land Christianity. I look upon it as the climax of all misnomers, the boldest of all frauds, and the grossest of all libels." Finally, what is most amazing to me in all of this is that Mr Douglass still holds to his faith, "I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ." he proclaims. If Mr Douglass can live through slavery and still hold to his spiritual convictions, I am strengthed in my own spiritual relationship. His example has inspired me, and I hope that reading his book will inspire you. PEACE

Rating:
Summary: Extremely well written
Review: Frederick Douglass's narrative of his life of a slave, and how he overcame its many hardships, is a must read for anybody who likes classic American literature. His writing style is truly incredible...

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Summary: A towering landmark of American literature
Review: I don't think that any review could truly do justice to"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An AmericanSlave." The true story of a 19th century African-American slavewho, against all odds, gained an education and sought his freedom,this book is one of the great human testaments of all time.

Douglass' narrative is a lean andvivid piece of writing. Every chapter is full of compelling portraitsand memorable insights. He portrays the acts of violence committedagainst the slave population with graphic brutality; this is anunflinching record of human rights abuse.

But the"Narrative" is more than just a cry against injustice. It isalso the story of an indomitable young man who defies a corrupt systemthat was meant to break his spirit. Douglass tells how he gains bothliteracy and the desire for freedom. This is an unforgettable story ofboth intellectual and political awakening. It is also a devastatingcritique of those who used the Bible and the Southern church as toolsfor the psychological terrorization of the slave population.

As acollege teacher, I have often used this book in American literatureclasses. It is truly a story which is relevant for students today. Butthis is not just a book for academic circles; this is book for all whoseek to understand the potential of the human spirit.

Rating:
Summary: A powerful book
Review: Few books of this length contain as much meaning as Douglass's autobiography. This story of his childhood as a slave, his secret education, and his eventual escape to the north is a powerful manifesto against the evils of slavery. Douglass's eloquence is astounding, all the more so given the conditions of his education. A powerful story, with an amazing man behind it. A must read for all Americans.

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Summary: LIFE OF A SLAVE BY FREDERICK DOUGLASS
Review: NARRANTIVE OF THE LIFE OF SLAVE, WRITTEN BY HIMSELF, by Frederick Douglass is a very powerful book. I began reading and could not put is down until the last page was finished. I was amazed by Mr. Douglass' tenacity. No matter what obstacle barred his path, he managed to keep a glimpse os his goal.

His main theme throughout the book is to illuminate the atrocities of slavery to the world. This is a hard subject for some to face as we tend to conveniently "forget" the ugly parts of our history.

Reading about this extraordinary man's life should encourage any person who had faced difficult situations in their lifetime. As impossible as a problem may seem to be, it can be surmounted. Success can be obtained. My hardships are nothing compared to the problems faced by Mr. Douglass. This secret is perserverance.

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Summary: The Taming of a Human and the Building of a Man
Review: In Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, the author states: "You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man." Frederick Douglass is a thoughtful man of great integrity, who through his soul-wrenching writing, details the story of his life as a slave. As we read the story, we witness horrendous actions that contribute to the building up of a slave; actions that literally define who a slave is. Douglass has a strong ability to transfer the reader to the very place and time of each event he lives. Throughout the book he shares his most personal thoughts on religion, family, music, education, and more. Some of his words are harsh, yet they are reflections of truth - a testimony of America at its worst. Narrative of the life Of Frederick Douglass is a wonderful educational and historical work that enables people to witness this time in history. The writing style is simple and beautiful. I feel it could be read to children on about a 6th grade reading level for an initial introduction to slavery, or could be studied by one with the highest intellect. I am confident that those who experience this story will have a deeper understanding of what it meant to be and American slave in the eary 1800's, and a newfound respect for today's African American families, for surviving, and thriving in America.

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Summary: Beware of the CD-ROM version
Review: I bought the CD-ROM version by mistake, thinking it was an audio CD, and hoping to listen to it at my leisure. So before you buy it, make certain that it is exactly what you want. Although the jacket suggests that you can listen to it read by a professional reader, I never got that far. This version is supposed to provide you with a text version for you to read from your computer, but with the added feature of being able to turn on the professional reader so you can listen to him. The CD took at least 10 minutes ( no exaggeration) to boot up, after which I had multiple copies show up on the task bar. The only advantage of the CD-ROM version is that it is less than $10, so you don't mind throwing it away (which I did).

Rating:
Summary: Required reading for all members of the human race.
Review: I believe that this autobiography can best be summed up by a quote in the middle of the book: "You have seen how a man becomes a slave. You will now see how a slave becomes a man."

As a small child, Douglass overhears his master berating his mistress because she was trying to teach the boy to read. Douglass realizes that his master wants to keep him ignorant. From that point on he vows to become the best man he can possibly become, and to become his own Master. His challenges as a child are simpler; tricking other children into playing Alphabet games so that he may slowly learn to read. As he becomes older, his challenges become more complex and dangerous; dealing with the Slave Breaker, a man that uses brutality to condition slaves into complete submission. When it suits his needs, Douglass allows his oppressors to believe his is defeated, but he never allows anyone to take his humanity or dignity. The reader travels with Douglass on his quest from the moment he is separated from his mother as an infant, to his days beginning in the abolitionists movement.

It is unfortunate that Douglass was unable to write of the details of his final escape from slavery because he was still worried about exposing those who assisted him in his flight.

Douglas also does an excellent job of demonstrating how slavery is also destructive to the spirit of those who practice slavery. We meet not only the Master and the Slave Breaker, but we also meet kind and loving women who eventually become hardened and cruel after being forced to accept their fellow man as only chattel.

Everyone should read this short book at least once in their lives. It is important to experience a first hand account of the past evils of our society. It is equally important to experience a first hand account of one man's triumph over such evils. For every black mark described, Douglass paints a ray of hope. The book is also very well written. And for a historical period piece that was written 160 years ago, it stands up remarkably as a captivating page turner.

Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: One of the best handled, smoothest reads in all of literature, American and world. Douglass keeps a level head and never comes down upon the reader too hard. A great read that everyone should open their eyes to and enjoy and regret (that he had to write it) in the same token.

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