Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845)

Have thoroughly enjoyed and been taught well by the insights from Frederick Douglass' narrative, "An American Slave" - highly recommend reading http://bit.ly/1wUkIzA - "I didn't know I was a slave until I found out I couldn't do the things I wanted." The information and perspective is valuable beyond even it's historical significance and application can be found in day-to-day life. ( )

Why was this not required reading in any of my schooling?! ( )

I would have given it 5 stars, but it was very difficult to get through some parts because of the absolute brutality he faced. ( )

Frederick Douglass recounts his life as a slave and his eventual freedom. He endured beatings, whippings, hunger, and multiple setbacks before finally escaping the clutches of slavery. He tells his story with quiet grace, but with a steely core that demonstrates how resilient he had to be to survive. ( )

I was really looking forward to how he escaped slavery. And then he patiently explained why he didn't put those details into the narrative. Similarly he did not spare naming those who were cruel, but in cases where it might "embarras" those who were kind and good, he refrained from naming them. He did that so well.

Wow, it takes a long time from society to change from the idea that slavery is acceptable to where all men truly are accepted as equal. ( )