Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass

Aug 2009 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Jonathan Reese

About this audiobook

Born into a life of bondage, Frederick Douglass secretly taught himself to read and write. For a slave, it was a crime punishable by death, but it resulted in one of the most eloquent indictments of slavery ever recorded. Douglass's autobiography traces his birth into slavery, his escape to the North, and the beginnings of the career that was to make him the preeminent spokesman for his people. His gripping narrative takes us into the fields, cabins, and manors of pre–Civil War plantations in the South and reveals the daily terrors he suffered as a slave. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave is one of the most influential autobiographies ever written. This classic text did as much as or more than any other book to motivate the abolitionists to continue to fight for freedom in America. Written more than a century and a half ago, this timeless classic still speaks directly to our age. It is a record of savagery and inhumanity that goes far to explain why America still suffers from the great injustices of the past.

Ratings and reviews

I have the first editin from 1845. It came to me auite by accident when a customer brought a lot of books into my antique shop at the time. It intreaued me from the start. I couldn't put it down. I can honestly say I stayed up all ight until I finished it. To this day, never has an autobiography made yuch an impa t on me. What an extrodinary man. He deserves far more accolades than he gets or has ever been given.... loved the small but important book. I treasure it. Americas first edition it is.... The cover is in poor condition, but the pages ok.

Double Jeopardy

About the author

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), one of the most prominent figures in African American and U.S. history, was born into slavery and rose up to become an abolitionist, women's suffragist, editor, orator, author, statesman, and reformer.

Jonathan Reese (d. 1999) was a founding member of Berkeley's Straw Hat review and narrator of The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer and Travels in Alaska by John Muir.