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Great Speeches by African Americans: Frederick Douglass
Tracing the struggle for freedom and civil rights across two centuries, this anthology comprises speeches by Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, W. E. B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King, Jr., and other influential figures in the history of African-American culture and politics.
The collection begins with Henry Highland Garnet's 1843 "An Address to the Slaves of the United States of America," followed by Jermain Wesley Loguen's "I Am a Fugitive Slave," the famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech by Sojourner Truth, and Frederick Douglass's immortal "What, to the Slave, Is the Fourth of July?" Subsequent orators include John Sweat Rock, John M. Langston, James T. Rapier, Alexander Crummell, Booker T. Washington, Mary Church Terrell, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Francis J. Grimké, Marcus Garvey, and Mary McLeod Bethune. Martin Luther King, Jr.,'s "I Have a Dream" speech appears here, along with Malcolm X's "The Ballot or The Bullet," Shirley Chisholm's "The Black Woman in Contemporary America," "The A Living Document" by Thurgood Marshall, and Barack Obama's "Knox College Commencement Address."
The collection begins with Henry Highland Garnet's 1843 "An Address to the Slaves of the United States of America," followed by Jermain Wesley Loguen's "I Am a Fugitive Slave," the famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech by Sojourner Truth, and Frederick Douglass's immortal "What, to the Slave, Is the Fourth of July?" Subsequent orators include John Sweat Rock, John M. Langston, James T. Rapier, Alexander Crummell, Booker T. Washington, Mary Church Terrell, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Francis J. Grimké, Marcus Garvey, and Mary McLeod Bethune. Martin Luther King, Jr.,'s "I Have a Dream" speech appears here, along with Malcolm X's "The Ballot or The Bullet," Shirley Chisholm's "The Black Woman in Contemporary America," "The A Living Document" by Thurgood Marshall, and Barack Obama's "Knox College Commencement Address."
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 10, 2015
Call it my personal ode to black history month or a re-visitation for personal edification; I felt the urge to read this collection this month. It didn't matter that some of the essays here are familiar, because a reread certainly helped me brush up on things I missed the first time around. I read Frederick Douglass' famous, "What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July" and I smiled as I remembered my American Lit professor years ago in undergrad, who made us read, re-read, and write a response to that great essay (boy did we have a heated class discussion to that one). I read and I thought how lucky I was to have an American Lit professor who included Civil Rights speeches and essays in his exploration of American writers and literature, because I've been in American Lit II classes where professors have refused to cover Harlem Renaissance or Civil Rights writers.
I read Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I A Woman?" aloud,standing on the couch, one hand on the hip, with my dog as the audience, because really, how else do you read that empowering speech? Some essays are not too familiar: like Alexander Crummell's powerful, "The Black Woman of the South: Her Neglects and her Needs," or President Obama's "Knox College Commencement Address."
Even more interesting, however, were the venues and purposes of each speech, and how the dates seem to track the progression of the Civil Rights Movement: from Henry Highland Garnet's 1843 speech to President Obama's 2005 speech. Those were the historical moments for me, the timeline of such important speeches, and the inclusion of the works of some of the greatest human rights activists. If I were to choose a speech that resonated with me, it would be Mary Church Terrell's "What It Means To Be Colored In The Capital Of the United States." She gave hers in 1906, and even though Crummell's speech on black women was in 1883, both are thematically aligned.
Terrell was an educator, author and activist whose works greatly influenced human rights. After reading her speech and having her words pierce through the veil of my trajectory, I had to research her biography and learn more about her. This book forced me to think and research Civil Rights giants, their messages, their debates, their influences on American history, and the personal lives they abandoned in order to fight for human rights.
I read Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I A Woman?" aloud,standing on the couch, one hand on the hip, with my dog as the audience, because really, how else do you read that empowering speech? Some essays are not too familiar: like Alexander Crummell's powerful, "The Black Woman of the South: Her Neglects and her Needs," or President Obama's "Knox College Commencement Address."
Even more interesting, however, were the venues and purposes of each speech, and how the dates seem to track the progression of the Civil Rights Movement: from Henry Highland Garnet's 1843 speech to President Obama's 2005 speech. Those were the historical moments for me, the timeline of such important speeches, and the inclusion of the works of some of the greatest human rights activists. If I were to choose a speech that resonated with me, it would be Mary Church Terrell's "What It Means To Be Colored In The Capital Of the United States." She gave hers in 1906, and even though Crummell's speech on black women was in 1883, both are thematically aligned.
It matters not what my intellectual attainments may be or how great is the need of the services of a competent person, if I try to enter many of the numerous vocations in which my white sisters are allowed to engage, the door is shut in my face.
Terrell was an educator, author and activist whose works greatly influenced human rights. After reading her speech and having her words pierce through the veil of my trajectory, I had to research her biography and learn more about her. This book forced me to think and research Civil Rights giants, their messages, their debates, their influences on American history, and the personal lives they abandoned in order to fight for human rights.
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August 28, 2024One of the best books I've read for educational purposes.
September 6, 2020
An excellent selection of speeches that provides a nuanced and complicated perspective on Black rights as well as the history of the United States and its complicated and difficult struggle with racism at a systemic level. Sojourner Truth's, "Ain't I a Woman?" and Malcolm X's "The Ballot of the Bullet" were stand outs for me at this juncture.
June 21, 2008
If you don't know about Sojourner Truth, King, Douglas, then you don't know American history. I don't care about color or sex, this is a must read. Oh, for you ladies voting, going to college, getting postive divorce settlements, one word: Tatoo. On your left arm: Elizabeth Cady Stanton. On the right: Susan B Anthony. Every American needs to know history . . . the COMPLETE history of their country. Cowboy up and get reading.
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April 1, 2020Deep and inspirational moments in history.
January 20, 2025
Coming upon books that have been lying around our household for years, I get an education when I open them. This book was no exception--and yet, I am sad to read all the words that have been squandered on deaf ears. How contemporarily necessary, for today's audience, are Francis Grimke's words of 116 years ago, in his speech "Equality of Rights for All Citizens": "If justice sleeps in this land, let it not be because we have helped to lull it to sleep by our silence, our indifference; let it not be from lack of effort on our part to arouse it from its slumbers." Every morning, I pray for the Lord's strength, in all my roles, to do some earthly, and maybe also some heavenly, good. I hope you do, too.
February 19, 2020
Great collection of speeches covering 1840’s to early 2000’s.
The sin of slavery and the rippled sins because of slavery are always present in our nation.
We must have the present courage to face our history with truth and honesty. May the future be marked by stories of people leaning in with that courage, just as these men and women leaned into their own present moments.
The sin of slavery and the rippled sins because of slavery are always present in our nation.
We must have the present courage to face our history with truth and honesty. May the future be marked by stories of people leaning in with that courage, just as these men and women leaned into their own present moments.
January 17, 2021
A fairly well balanced collection of notable speeches from some of America's most prominent African American historical figures. It is a worthwhile read for those looking for a cursory level exposure to a wide array of voices and perspectives from prominent African American figures in America history.
September 5, 2017
Good book with an assortment of speeches from times of slavery through the Civil Rights Era and to a few years ago. Malcolm X "The Ballot or The Bullet" was my favorite.
July 21, 2019
Powerful voices
These speeches are only a snapshot of greatness. Imagine an America using all of its brilliant resources, there isn't anything we cannot achieve together.
These speeches are only a snapshot of greatness. Imagine an America using all of its brilliant resources, there isn't anything we cannot achieve together.
January 12, 2024
That was really good. I soaked up every word. Educational, informative, encouraging. Thanks
November 28, 2024
Amazing¡!!!!!!! But I wish they had introduced the speakers/speeches
March 20, 2009
More than a collection of speeches, this solemn and profound book is a window into the history (or should I say plight?) of African Americans. Of many sagacious passages, here are a few highlights:
Fellow citizens, I will not enlarge further on your national inconsistencies. The existence of slavery in this country brands your republicanism as a sham, your humanity as a base pretence, and your Christianity as a lie. It destroys your moral power abroad; it corrupts your politicians at home. It saps the foundation of religion; it makes your name a hissing and a by word to a mocking earth. It is the antagonistic force in your government, the only thing that seriously disturbs and endangers your union. It fetters your progress; it is the enemy of improvement; the deadly foe of education; it fosters pride; it breeds insolence; it promotes vice; it shelters crime; it is a curse to the earth that supports it; and yet your cling to it as if it were the sheet anchor of all your hopes. Oh, be warned! Be warned! A horrible reptile is coiled up in your nation’s bosom; the venomous creature is nursing at the tender breast of your youthful republic; for the love of God, tear way, and fling from you the hideous monster, and let the weight of twenty millions crush and destroy it forever!
Frederick Douglas
July 5, 1852
No, I’m not an American. I’m one of the 22 million black people who are the victims of Americanism. One of the 22 million black people who are the victims of democracy, nothing but disguised hypocrisy. So, I’m not standing here speaking to you as an American, or a patriot, or a flag-saluter, or a flag-waver – no, not I. I’m speaking as a victim of this American system. And I see America through the eyes of the victim. I don’t see any American dream; I see an American nightmare.
Malcolm X
April 3, 1964
What will be [your:] place in history?
In other eras, across distant lands, this is a question that could be answered with relative ease and certainty. As a servant of Rome, you knew you would spend your life forced to build somebody else’s Empire. As a peasant in 11th century China, you knew that no matter how hard you worked, the local warlord might take everything you had – and that famine might come knocking on your door any day. As a subject of King George, you knew that your freedom to worship and speak and build your own life would be ultimately limited by the throne.
And then America happened.
A place where destiny was not a destination, but a journey to be shared and shaped and remade by people who had the gall, the temerity to believe that, against all odds, they could form “a more perfect union” on this new frontier.
And as people around the world began to hear the tale of the lowly colonists who overthrew an Empire for the sake of an idea, they came. Across the oceans and the ages, they settled in Boston and Charleston, Chicago and St. Louis, Kalamazoo and Galesburg, to try and build their own American Dream. This collective dream moved forward imperfectly – it was scarred by our treatment of native peoples, betrayed by slavery, clouded by the subjugation of women, shaken by war and depression. And yet, brick by brick, rail by rail, calloused hand by calloused hand, people kept dreaming, and building, and working, and marching, and petitioning their government, until they made America a land where the question of our place in history is not answered for us, but by us.
Barack Obama
June 4, 2005
None of this will come easy. Every one of us will have to work more, read more, train more, think more. We will have to slough off bad habits – like driving gas guzzlers that weaken our economy and feed our enemies abroad. Our kids will have to turn off the TV sets and put away the video games and start hitting the books.
Barack Obama
June 4, 2005
Fellow citizens, I will not enlarge further on your national inconsistencies. The existence of slavery in this country brands your republicanism as a sham, your humanity as a base pretence, and your Christianity as a lie. It destroys your moral power abroad; it corrupts your politicians at home. It saps the foundation of religion; it makes your name a hissing and a by word to a mocking earth. It is the antagonistic force in your government, the only thing that seriously disturbs and endangers your union. It fetters your progress; it is the enemy of improvement; the deadly foe of education; it fosters pride; it breeds insolence; it promotes vice; it shelters crime; it is a curse to the earth that supports it; and yet your cling to it as if it were the sheet anchor of all your hopes. Oh, be warned! Be warned! A horrible reptile is coiled up in your nation’s bosom; the venomous creature is nursing at the tender breast of your youthful republic; for the love of God, tear way, and fling from you the hideous monster, and let the weight of twenty millions crush and destroy it forever!
Frederick Douglas
July 5, 1852
No, I’m not an American. I’m one of the 22 million black people who are the victims of Americanism. One of the 22 million black people who are the victims of democracy, nothing but disguised hypocrisy. So, I’m not standing here speaking to you as an American, or a patriot, or a flag-saluter, or a flag-waver – no, not I. I’m speaking as a victim of this American system. And I see America through the eyes of the victim. I don’t see any American dream; I see an American nightmare.
Malcolm X
April 3, 1964
What will be [your:] place in history?
In other eras, across distant lands, this is a question that could be answered with relative ease and certainty. As a servant of Rome, you knew you would spend your life forced to build somebody else’s Empire. As a peasant in 11th century China, you knew that no matter how hard you worked, the local warlord might take everything you had – and that famine might come knocking on your door any day. As a subject of King George, you knew that your freedom to worship and speak and build your own life would be ultimately limited by the throne.
And then America happened.
A place where destiny was not a destination, but a journey to be shared and shaped and remade by people who had the gall, the temerity to believe that, against all odds, they could form “a more perfect union” on this new frontier.
And as people around the world began to hear the tale of the lowly colonists who overthrew an Empire for the sake of an idea, they came. Across the oceans and the ages, they settled in Boston and Charleston, Chicago and St. Louis, Kalamazoo and Galesburg, to try and build their own American Dream. This collective dream moved forward imperfectly – it was scarred by our treatment of native peoples, betrayed by slavery, clouded by the subjugation of women, shaken by war and depression. And yet, brick by brick, rail by rail, calloused hand by calloused hand, people kept dreaming, and building, and working, and marching, and petitioning their government, until they made America a land where the question of our place in history is not answered for us, but by us.
Barack Obama
June 4, 2005
None of this will come easy. Every one of us will have to work more, read more, train more, think more. We will have to slough off bad habits – like driving gas guzzlers that weaken our economy and feed our enemies abroad. Our kids will have to turn off the TV sets and put away the video games and start hitting the books.
Barack Obama
June 4, 2005
January 2, 2015
My rating distribution for book reviews in general:
Content: 0-1 star
Delivery: 0-1 star
Relevance: 0-1 star
Impact: 0-1 star
Bonus (if warranted by additional components of the book that enhanced my experience with the read): 0-1 star
Why I read this book:
I hold a very deep passion for the African-American experience and I can appreciate true stories being told about pivotal events related to my history. I hold a sincere admiration for my ancestors and a specific vision for the future of African-Americans. I am a firm believer that you can't be sure of where you're going if you aren't conscious of where you've been. And such consciousness depends on one embracing and understanding the story. The story can't be taught by someone who did not live it, therefore it is not fitting to rely on the history taught in school for understanding of our personal history. I picked up this book for the purpose of hearing the story from pioneers who walked the walk.
Content: 0/1
This is where the book failed me. It contained several good speeches from former slaves and jumped right into several speeches about the Civil Rights Movement. Those were the only two components of the collection as if those were the only pivotal moments for African-Americans. The speeches were all excellent, my issue is whomever put this collection together missed something in their chronology efforts. The slavery and Civil Rights stories were important, but I would have liked to see more speeches on events and occurrences that happened between those times, too, in order to gain insight on the whole experience.
Delivery: 1/1
Of course, the speeches were well-written and I liked how there was a short bio on every author leading into their speech. This provided better insight into the speeches and the motivations for the speeches being written and spoken.
Relevance: 1/1
As we continue to deal with race issues in 2014, this book holds great relevance. It's important to understand what happened in order to fight what is currently happening. Unfortunately, some of the same issues that we've fought for hundreds of years still exist and reading these speeches was an important reminder that not much has changed and that there is still work to be done.
Impact: 1/1
The speeches did move me in ways that I expected to be moved. I was engaged with every speech and felt the pain of the stories deep in my heart and soul. Reading our truth had a huge impact on me. One that encourages me to continue the fight for social justice.
Content: 0-1 star
Delivery: 0-1 star
Relevance: 0-1 star
Impact: 0-1 star
Bonus (if warranted by additional components of the book that enhanced my experience with the read): 0-1 star
Why I read this book:
I hold a very deep passion for the African-American experience and I can appreciate true stories being told about pivotal events related to my history. I hold a sincere admiration for my ancestors and a specific vision for the future of African-Americans. I am a firm believer that you can't be sure of where you're going if you aren't conscious of where you've been. And such consciousness depends on one embracing and understanding the story. The story can't be taught by someone who did not live it, therefore it is not fitting to rely on the history taught in school for understanding of our personal history. I picked up this book for the purpose of hearing the story from pioneers who walked the walk.
Content: 0/1
This is where the book failed me. It contained several good speeches from former slaves and jumped right into several speeches about the Civil Rights Movement. Those were the only two components of the collection as if those were the only pivotal moments for African-Americans. The speeches were all excellent, my issue is whomever put this collection together missed something in their chronology efforts. The slavery and Civil Rights stories were important, but I would have liked to see more speeches on events and occurrences that happened between those times, too, in order to gain insight on the whole experience.
Delivery: 1/1
Of course, the speeches were well-written and I liked how there was a short bio on every author leading into their speech. This provided better insight into the speeches and the motivations for the speeches being written and spoken.
Relevance: 1/1
As we continue to deal with race issues in 2014, this book holds great relevance. It's important to understand what happened in order to fight what is currently happening. Unfortunately, some of the same issues that we've fought for hundreds of years still exist and reading these speeches was an important reminder that not much has changed and that there is still work to be done.
Impact: 1/1
The speeches did move me in ways that I expected to be moved. I was engaged with every speech and felt the pain of the stories deep in my heart and soul. Reading our truth had a huge impact on me. One that encourages me to continue the fight for social justice.
August 3, 2020
This is a really good book consisting of speeches by certain African Americans from 1843 on. I'll just note some things the speeches said:
One speech noted the Church had done nothing to really help the slaves. He notes that slavery was a crime against God and man. Another was asking people in the area not to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act. One was noting that women were not second class people.
Another speech noted that July 4th was not really a day of celebration for blacks. One was a Black legislator who, although serving as a legislator, was still denied the same amenities as White travelers. One speech noted that common labor was dignified. Another noted that Washington, D.C. Was not a friendly place for Blacks.
One speech addressed the lynching of Blacks and Malcom X called for a choice: the ballot or bullets. Another speaker noted that the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence didn't really help Blacks considering they were either slaves at the time or were free but definitely considered second-class citizens.
My favorite speech was the I Have A Dream speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. He addressed the issue of police violence against Blacks (something still going on over fifty years later) and noted he did not want the protests to end up violent.
First, every one of the speeches was good. Second, it's alarming how little progress has actually been made since the times the speeches were given. Police brutality is still a major problem. Discrimination in numerous ways is still a problem. Segregation in schools is still a problem. (I know of one high school in Cincinnati that is located in a community that is about 86% white while the high school is 97% Black. Maybe segregation by fiat is not longer legal but segregation still occurs from one cause or another.)
(Then there's the city I grew up in. There was one virtually all-Black junior high and one all-white junior high. Yet there was one high school only so there was integration whether anyone liked it or not.)
Some of the speakers include Frederick Douglas, Booker T. Washington, Barack Obama and Martin Luther King, Jr.
This was an excellent book, one I think could be used in classrooms.
One speech noted the Church had done nothing to really help the slaves. He notes that slavery was a crime against God and man. Another was asking people in the area not to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act. One was noting that women were not second class people.
Another speech noted that July 4th was not really a day of celebration for blacks. One was a Black legislator who, although serving as a legislator, was still denied the same amenities as White travelers. One speech noted that common labor was dignified. Another noted that Washington, D.C. Was not a friendly place for Blacks.
One speech addressed the lynching of Blacks and Malcom X called for a choice: the ballot or bullets. Another speaker noted that the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence didn't really help Blacks considering they were either slaves at the time or were free but definitely considered second-class citizens.
My favorite speech was the I Have A Dream speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. He addressed the issue of police violence against Blacks (something still going on over fifty years later) and noted he did not want the protests to end up violent.
First, every one of the speeches was good. Second, it's alarming how little progress has actually been made since the times the speeches were given. Police brutality is still a major problem. Discrimination in numerous ways is still a problem. Segregation in schools is still a problem. (I know of one high school in Cincinnati that is located in a community that is about 86% white while the high school is 97% Black. Maybe segregation by fiat is not longer legal but segregation still occurs from one cause or another.)
(Then there's the city I grew up in. There was one virtually all-Black junior high and one all-white junior high. Yet there was one high school only so there was integration whether anyone liked it or not.)
Some of the speakers include Frederick Douglas, Booker T. Washington, Barack Obama and Martin Luther King, Jr.
This was an excellent book, one I think could be used in classrooms.
January 16, 2016
Well! Bravo on nine of these speeches and fine people who did very well to make the nation better. And boo on seven that are ugly, divisive and promote agitation. Three I didn't bother to read. So, nine at five stars, seven at one? 3+ stars on this collection of powerful speeches. Some are very, very long. Wow.
Fascinating! Today it is common to hear people deny the Christian foundation and core of America. Nearly every one of these highly educated former slaves and born free men and women give glory and love to Almighty God and some warned the nation to not stray from His grace ...
"The secession of the Southern States in 1860 was a small matter compared with the secession of the Union itself in the great principles enunciated in the Declaration of Independence, in the Golden Rule, in the Ten Commandments, in the Sermon on the Mount. Unless we hold, and hold firmly to these great fundamental principles of righteousness, of social, political, and economic wisdom, our Union, as Mr. Garrison expressed it, will be 'only a covenant with death and agreement with hell.' If it continues to exist it will be a curse, and not a blessing." Francis j Grimke, 1909.
And: "Democracy is for me, and for 12 million black Americans, a goal towards which our nation is marching. It is a dream and an ideal in whose ultimate realization we have a deep and abiding faith. For me, it is based on Christianity, in which we confidently entrust our destiny as a people. Under God's guidance in this great democracy, we are rising out of the darkness of slavery into the light of freedom.
... 12 million Negroes, shoulder to shoulder with their fellow Americans, will strive that this nation under God, will have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, for the people and by the people shall not perish from the earth." Mary McLeod Bethune, 1939.
Interesting: The nine most calm, rational voices for peace and progress are from eight southern born persons, five former slaves, three born to slaves. And seven who called for aggression never knew slavery first hand and were born into lives of some privilege outside of the "rebel" south!
Fascinating! Today it is common to hear people deny the Christian foundation and core of America. Nearly every one of these highly educated former slaves and born free men and women give glory and love to Almighty God and some warned the nation to not stray from His grace ...
"The secession of the Southern States in 1860 was a small matter compared with the secession of the Union itself in the great principles enunciated in the Declaration of Independence, in the Golden Rule, in the Ten Commandments, in the Sermon on the Mount. Unless we hold, and hold firmly to these great fundamental principles of righteousness, of social, political, and economic wisdom, our Union, as Mr. Garrison expressed it, will be 'only a covenant with death and agreement with hell.' If it continues to exist it will be a curse, and not a blessing." Francis j Grimke, 1909.
And: "Democracy is for me, and for 12 million black Americans, a goal towards which our nation is marching. It is a dream and an ideal in whose ultimate realization we have a deep and abiding faith. For me, it is based on Christianity, in which we confidently entrust our destiny as a people. Under God's guidance in this great democracy, we are rising out of the darkness of slavery into the light of freedom.
... 12 million Negroes, shoulder to shoulder with their fellow Americans, will strive that this nation under God, will have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, for the people and by the people shall not perish from the earth." Mary McLeod Bethune, 1939.
Interesting: The nine most calm, rational voices for peace and progress are from eight southern born persons, five former slaves, three born to slaves. And seven who called for aggression never knew slavery first hand and were born into lives of some privilege outside of the "rebel" south!
Want to read
February 13, 2017this is a very inspirational book and i think that it explains key points in american history
April 16, 2012
I have read and re-read every speech and learned where each speaker stood on the issues of slavery in the United States. I'm particularly struck by Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B. Du Bois and how their opinions differ. Great reference book.
I wish I had read these speeches while in high school. I am a 75-year-old, African American writer, and generally write fiction.
I wish I had read these speeches while in high school. I am a 75-year-old, African American writer, and generally write fiction.
Want to read
August 3, 2008I feel like I may have read a book in college with a similar title or perhaps an earlier edition? Since I don't remember the contents, decided to pick this one up. Hopefully will start reading it by the end of the summer.
May 1, 2011
A must have for all avid readers, lovers of history and followers of African American leaders. The speeches will evoke all types of emotions, inspire action, and help you focus on the love of family. Thanks James Daley for taking the time to bring these speeches together.
July 20, 2013
This book does not only Chronicle African American speeches, it provides a time mapped measure of how well we have lived up to our ideals in this country.
Also, I find reading speeches is a good way to find direction in your own writing.
Also, I find reading speeches is a good way to find direction in your own writing.
April 4, 2008
If you haven't read any Frederick Douglass, shame on you!
August 22, 2008
crazy stuff...sad but very inspirational story of his life.
Read
August 24, 2008powering black people di negeri paman sam.. pingin bgt pnya ni buku
March 23, 2011
Wow. So thought provoking. I'm going to have to read this a few times to make sense of it. Slavery and it's legacy is so horrible to study and yet so important. I will be processing for awhile.
Currently reading
April 25, 2011Well i do not like this book. I mean i already know so much about slaves and all that. I crave to learn new info on slaves not the old.
March 31, 2015
great read
a good read learned a lot from these speeches awaiting for another a very good read highly recommend this book
a good read learned a lot from these speeches awaiting for another a very good read highly recommend this book
December 20, 2015
A very interesting book that, I believe, everyone should read. A gathering of amazing speeches by leaders that changed history.
May 9, 2016
My main complaint is with the chosen version Sojurner Truth's speech. History has proved that the version published here is not the original that Truth gave.
Otherwise good selection of speeches.
Otherwise good selection of speeches.
February 2, 2013
A great inspirational book! This is something that I am re-reading for black history month
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews