This is one of the most violent books (an autobiography!) I ever read. It illustrates horrifyingly `that crime of crimes: making man the property of his fellow man.' It shows the horrendous `playing' field of blood and blasphemy, of flogging and callous skins, of hunger and nakedness, and even premeditated murder. `It was a common saying that it was worth a half-cent to kill a n.gger, and a half-cent to bury one.'

system: mental darkness, hypocritical religion
Forcing them to live in appalling living conditions (`nothing but a coarse tow linen shirt, reaching only to my knees, sleeping on a cold, damp, clay floor.'), the aim of the white man was to keep his slaves in mental darkness: `to make a contented slave, it is necessary to make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken his moral and mental vision and to annihilate the power of reason.'
The white man's barbaric behavior was justified by unacceptable religious Phariseism: `the religion of the south is a mere covering for the most horrid crimes, a dark shelter under which the darkest, foulest, grossest, and most infernal deeds of slaveholders find the strongest protection.'
F. Douglass poses the right question: `Does a righteous God govern the universe?' `He who proclaims it a religious duty to read the Bible denies me the right to read the name of God.'

freedom
All slaves dreamed of escaping to the free north, even at the risk of their lives, in order to earn a salary for themselves, to learn writing and reading and to live in decent living conditions.

This story, of which certain aspects are still very actual, reminds us of one of the darkest chapters in the history of mankind. It is told with unforgettable emotional lucidity and visualized with violent realistic scenes.
A must read.

PUCHASED THIS BOOK FOR CLASS BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A REAALY INTERESTING READ..

"These words sank deep into my heart, stirred up sentiments within that lay slumbering, and called into existence an entirely new train of thought. It was a new and special revelation, explaining dark and mysterious things, with which my youthful understanding had struggled, but struggled in vain"

My most favorite passage from a beautifully written, wonderfully inspiring book. Read it - black, white, or any other race - it will inspire you to do greater things.

I needed this book for an 11th grade summer assignment so I decided to purchase this version of the book. I loved how the price was good, and I loved the extra bits of information at the beginning of the book (like the timeline). I suggest anyone intrested in reading this book purchase this version...it definately was worth it!

First, I must mention that there are several editions of this book that are published. I actually have two different editions but henceforth I will be referring to the Barnes & Noble Classic version with the Introduction by Robert O'Meally published in 2003. It is unlikely the other editions are better.

With timelines and detailed endnotes, Robert O'Meally, a Columbia University Professor, provides a scholarly Introduction to Narrative, which all combine to create an excellent reference on Frederick Douglass.

One would make quick work in reading the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. It is not a lengthy autobiography which could be attributed to the fact that this is his first autobiography; it was written in 1845 when he was around 27 years of age. He later pens My Bondage, My Freedom (1855) and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1892).

In short, it is a must read for everyone! Frederick Douglass provides a first-hand account of the evils of slavery, unveiling its immorality for all to see. He writes clearly, descriptively and at times with emotion; appropriately so given the circumstances. From his attempts at identifying his father, to his encounters with his various masters and overseers, to his epiphany that "...rekindled the few expiring embers of freedom...", you will be a passenger on his journey to emancipation.

Upon learning how to read, Frederick Douglass stated, "The more I read, the more I was led to abhor and detest my enslavers." When reading this autobiography those same feelings will arise anew in you.

"You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man." It is with acute insight and unyielding clarity that Douglass describes his feelings, experiences, and ultimate emancipation from slavery. The reader is taken into his mind - his doubts of ever being free, his fight with Mr. Covey, and his lost of hope.

I read an excerpt of this book with my students, and it is amazing how alive Douglass seems to them through his writing. The students enjoy learning about Frederick Douglass - and as such, they are given a glimpse into one of the most poignant stories in regards to the triumph of the human spirit.

When it comes to understanding what the slaves went through and the world from thier perspective, this book is totally enlightening. This is the voice of the slaves that went unheard. It is written in a manner easy to read and simple. Yet, the actual content is hard to read and not simple. It is a drak journey through the life of a slave who found freedom and lived to write about it. Despite the arguments concerning who wrote this book and about the possible censorship of it, it is still a worthy depiction and story to read.
It is hard to read this text without feeling angry and dissappointed at white people (I am one), angry at Christians (I am one), and sad for history. This text is an emotional rollercoaster. You gain apprecaition for men like Douglass and despair for human ignorance.
No matter what, this is a book that my own children shall be forced to read before they graduate from high school. After reading this book, and Victor Frankl's book, most normal people ought to interact in this world far different from the monster antagonists presented in each of the texts. As for me, I learned a lot and shall never recover.