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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass

Start date: August 1, 2020

Finish date: August 31, 2020

Discussion: Old School Classics, Pre-1915

Why we're reading this: August 2020 Old School Classic Group Read
[close] August 2020 Old School Classic Group Read

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Old School Classics, Pre-1915

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What Members Thought

Sep 20, 2018 Teri rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, history

This is Frederick Douglass' first-person narrative of his time as a slave from his earliest recollections through his escape to freedom and a new life with a new name. It is a haunting look at slave life, where the people are treated like animals and property. They were simply tools to get work done and nothing more. Douglass uses his experiences to speak out against slavery, the importance of literacy, becoming your own person, and a warning to guard against unjust people. Douglass worked to ea ...more

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Aug 04, 2021 Reagan Styrt rated it it was amazing

I gave this book 5 stars not so much because I liked it (how can anyone *like* horrific depictions of slavery??) but because it is an important read. In the span of barely over 100 pages, the author conveys the physical and mental impact of human bondage. There were times when something terrible portrayed wouldn't hit me that hard, and I found it was because I would sometimes slip into viewing the narrative as fiction. Constantly reminding oneself that this is real American history is the only w ...more

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Nov 28, 2016 Clayton Brannon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A book that needs to be read. Short concise condemnation of slavery and the Christian churches of both North and South for their support through silence by the North and support by the Southern churches.

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