The «Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass» is regarded as one of the most important accounts of slavery in 19th century America that has ever been written. The story accounts Douglass's life from early childhood growing up on a Southern Plantation to his eventual escape to the North. Douglass tells of his life with various owners, his struggle to learn and teach other slaves, and his eventual escape from slavery. As an escaped slave Douglass becomes a passionate abolitionist and served as an inspiration to many other early African Americans.
First published in 1855, “My Bondage and My Freedom” is the second of three autobiographies written by the former slave and famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass. In this work, Douglass focuses his narrative on his transition from slavery to freedom, as well as examining the state of race relations and the politics of slavery leading up to the American Civil War. Written nearly ten years after his emancipation in 1846, Douglass reflects on his journey from a newly freed slave from Maryland, where he toiled away in harsh and violent conditions, to a free man in Massachusetts, where he encountered a new form of oppression and bondage. Douglass examines the social implications of the various forms of slavery that the black man was subjected to in 19th century America and how he himself broke those bonds to become a prominent speaker and influential figure in the fight for freedom and civil rights, a success he credited to his faith and literacy. In the pages of this deeply personal and inspiring work we find the voice that made Frederick Douglass one of the nation’s most prominent figures in the American anti-slavery movement as well as an intimate portrait of his life. This edition includes an introduction by James McCune Smith and a biographical afterword.
First published in 1845, the “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” is the memoir of former slave turned abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. Considered as one of the most famous of all the slave narratives ever written, the story recounts Douglass’s life from early childhood growing up in Maryland as a slave to his eventual escape to the North. Douglass tells of his life with various owners depicting the cruelty that he himself endured and was witness to. Douglass begins to learn to read and write when his master’s wife, Mrs. Sophia Auld, begins teaching him the alphabet and some small words. His instruction quickly comes to an end though when Mr. Auld disapproves. Douglass, however, realizing the importance of literacy, takes it upon himself to learn to read and write. This decision would serve him well as he would eventually use it to document the civil injustices of slavery in 19th century America and to craft his impassioned oratories against it. The work of Frederick Douglass would be an early and inspirational voice in the abolitionist movement, one which would give hope to the cause and which would ultimately help to bring about an end to that brutally unjust chapter of American history known as slavery.
"Experience has taught us that it is sometimes wise and necessary to have more than two witnesses to bring out the whole truth. Especially is this the case where one of such witnesses has a powerful motive for suppressing or distorting the facts, as in this case. I therefore insist upon my right to take the witness stand and give my version of this Southern question, and though it shall widely differ from that of both the North and South, I shall submit the same to the candid judgment of all who hear me in full confidence that it will be received as true, by honest men and women of both sections of this Republic." – Frederick Douglass
Written by three of the most prominent black writers of the nineteenth century, this trio of compelling early classics of African-American literature paints unforgettable portraits of strength and determination framed by the shackles of slavery. Abolitionist authors Frederick Douglass and William Wells Brown, and spiritualist Harriet E. Wilson were former slaves whose writings transformed their hardships into stunning depictions of racial oppression.Based on a true story, Frederick Douglass' The Heroic Slave is a dramatic fictional retelling of how the determined and courageous Madison Washington led a slave rebellion aboard the ship Creole. In Clotel, the first novel ever written by an African American, William Wells Brown tells a prophetic story about a child conceived by Thomas Jefferson and one of his slaves. And in Our Nig, Harriet E. Wilson's heartrending semi-autobiographical tale, she describes the life of a mulatto girl who, after the death of her mother, is exploited by a terrifying Northern family . . . and then, by the man she marries. Emotionally powerful and historically authentic, this collection is essential reading for students and teachers of African-American history and culture.
Former slave, impassioned abolitionist, brilliant writer, newspaper editor and eloquent orator whose speeches fired the abolitionist cause, Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) led an astounding life. Physical abuse, deprivation and tragedy plagued his early years, yet through sheer force of character he was able to overcome these obstacles to become a leading spokesman for his people.In this, the first and most frequently read of his three autobiographies, Douglass provides graphic descriptions of his childhood and horrifying experiences as a slave as well as a harrowing record of his dramatic escape to the North and eventual freedom.Published in 1845 to quell doubts about his origins — since few slaves of that period could write — the Narrative is admired today for its extraordinary passion, sensitive and vivid descriptions and storytelling power. It belongs in the library of anyone interested in African-American history and the life of one of the country's most courageous and influential champions of civil rights.
"My Bondage and My Freedom" is the classic slave narrative of Frederick Douglass that tells the tale of his captivity and his freedom from slavery in the early to middle 1800s. «My Bondage and My Freedom» is an important document of the state of race relations and the politics of slavery leading up to the American Civil War and in its pages we find the voice that made Frederick Douglass one of the nation's most prominent figures in the American Anti-Slavery movement as well as an intimate portrait of his life.
Frederick Douglass' classic.contains speeches, letters and other prose by this ardent abolitionist. Shocking, brutally real and intellectual, this book offers detailed insight into the life of this abolitionist forefather, as well as the human condition just before the American Civil War of 1861.
The Frederick Douglass Megapack provides a selection of the works of Frederick Douglas, including 2 autobiographies as well as essays, speeches, and slave narratives. Included are:<p> NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS, AN AMERICAN SLAVE<BR> MY BONDAGE AND MY FREEDOM<BR> RECEPTION SPEECH<BR> THE NATURE OF SLAVERY<BR> INHUMANITY OF SLAVERY<BR> WHAT TO THE SLAVE IS THE FOURTH OF JULY?<BR> THE INTERNAL SLAVE TRADE<BR> THE SLAVERY PARTY<BR> THE ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT<BR> MY ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY <BR> RECONSTRUCTION <BR> ABOLITION FANATICISM IN NEW YORK<BR> JOHN BROWN<P> If you enjoy this book, search your favorite ebook store for «Wildside Press Megapack» to see 100+ other entries in the series, covering mysteries, westerns, classics, science fiction, adventure stories, and much, much more! (Sort by publication date to see the most recent releases.)
"The Heroic Slave, a Thrilling Narrative of the Adventures of Madison Washington, in Pursuit of Liberty" is a short piece of fiction written by famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass. When the Rochester Ladies' Anti Slavery Society asked Douglass for a short story to go in their collection, Autographs for Freedom, Douglass responded in turn with The Heroic Slave. The novella, published in 1852 by John P. Jewett and Company, was Douglass' first and only published work of fiction (though he did publish several autobiographical narratives)."The Heroic Slave" is the fictionalized story of Madison Washington, who was a real man famous for his rebellion on board the Creole.