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Narrative Of The Life & Times Of Frederick Douglass

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"The Narrative of the Life and Times of Frederick Douglass" provides an astounding look at the true face of slavery and the train of events that led to Frederick Douglass' escape from bondage. More than that, however, his simple rhetoric shows us the dignity of a man.

Through the years leading up to his eventual escape, we see how the slaveholders were afraid of the power of literacy--in itself a reason to teach this autobiography to high school students. We also grow to understand that force and violence were the only tools the owners had to keep their slaves (treated no differently than cows and pigs) compliant. This is a significantly different picture of slavery than romanticized works such as "Gone With the Wind."

The fact that Douglass did not try to exaggerate events, but related his life with simple honesty, gives power an credence to "The Narrative of the Life and Times of Frederick Douglass." A moving lesson for all races.

Frederick Douglass was born in Maryland and separated from his
mother in his infancy. His father was thought to be white.
He writes how slaves were given a monthly allowance for food.
Colonel Lloyd, an early slaveowner had 1000 slaves in his employ.
Douglass learned how to read and write under Master Hugh.
He spent some time with another owner -Mr. Covey. He worked hard
under Covey's stewardship; however, he was provided with good
tools to work the land. Douglass relates how he enjoyed quality
time spent with his grandparents. He had a brother named Perry
and sisters Sarah and Eliza. His father was unknown .
Douglass recounts how slaves were whipped due to oversleeping.
Occasionally, they were fed corn meal and tainted meat.
He enjoyed working for Mr. Freeland who had a more generous
temperament than the other slaveowners. Douglass relates
anti-slavery meetings in New Bedford and contributions from
Britains in order to commit his thoughts to formal publishing.
The more painful experiences were the starving, whipping, chaining and use of blood hounds to harass slaves.
Douglass writes with a superior style. The vocabulary and
sentence structure is excellent. This rendition is as fine
a work in English literature as other famous writers of the era.

If the reader did not know that the author was an ex-slave, who by his own tremendous efforts taught himself to read and write, you like many of his day would challenge the veracity of this story. Mr. Douglass was born into slavery on a Talbot County, Maryland plantation, and by sheer determination, and force of character, mastered the English language in a manner seldom seen before or since. His eloquence is only matched by his wit, sense of irony, along with a keen understanding of human behavior.

This narrative is the candid recollection of the early years of his life. His descriptions about daily life are powerful, thought-provoking, and extremely observant. He spares no detail about the harsh brutality of his life, both on the plantation, and later in Baltimore. The reader senses that Mr. Douglass was imbued with a sense never to accept his cruel fate.

He learned how to read and write from poor white boys on the docks of Baltimore. "I used to exchange pieces of bread, which they didn't have, for the bread of knowledge." His determination to become literate was fueled by his master's refusal to allow Mr. Douglass to learn formally. "I did not allow my master to keep me in mental darkness. If anything, it only strengthened my resolve."

He recounts his utter disappointment over the first failed escape attempt, and then describes his ultimate decision to try once again. He had been working as a caulker in Baltimore, but had to hand over his six or seven dollars in weekly wages to his master, who used to give him five cents. "At that time, I knew I could remain a slave no longer." Ultimately, he escaped his bondage, and became a life-long proponent of humane causes.

This is a powerful, candid, and superbly written story. It is an achievement of the human spirit by one of our most inspirational figures in American history.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this narrative.

A brief and thrilling account of the actual life of an American slave in Maryland in the 1830's and 1840's. The scintillating and exquisitely precise prose is all the more amazing when you consider that Douglass had no formal education, and virtually taught himself to read and write. He pulls no punches, and anyone who ever thought even fleetingly that slavery was "not so bad" should read this page-turning powerhouse. Not to be missed on any account.