Page de couverture de Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass

Prophet of Freedom

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 * Selected as One of the Best Books of the 21st Century by The New York Times * Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in History *

“Extraordinary…a great American biography” (The New Yorker) of the most important African American of the 19th century: Frederick Douglass, the escaped slave who became the greatest orator of his day and one of the leading abolitionists and writers of the era.

As a young man Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) escaped from slavery in Baltimore, Maryland. He was fortunate to have been taught to read by his slave owner mistress, and he would go on to become one of the major literary figures of his time. His very existence gave the lie to slave owners: with dignity and great intelligence he bore witness to the brutality of slavery.

Initially mentored by William Lloyd Garrison, Douglass spoke widely, using his own story to condemn slavery. By the Civil War, Douglass had become the most famed and widely travelled orator in the nation. In his unique and eloquent voice, written and spoken, Douglass was a fierce critic of the United States as well as a radical patriot. After the war he sometimes argued politically with younger African Americans, but he never forsook either the Republican party or the cause of black civil and political rights.

In this “cinematic and deeply engaging” (The New York Times Book Review) biography, David Blight has drawn on new information held in a private collection that few other historian have consulted, as well as recently discovered issues of Douglass’s newspapers. “Absorbing and even moving…a brilliant book that speaks to our own time as well as Douglass’s” (The Wall Street Journal), Blight’s biography tells the fascinating story of Douglass’s two marriages and his complex extended family. “David Blight has written the definitive biography of Frederick Douglass…a powerful portrait of one of the most important American voices of the nineteenth century” (The Boston Globe).

In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Frederick Douglass won the Bancroft, Parkman, Los Angeles Times (biography), Lincoln, Plutarch, and Christopher awards and was named one of the Best Books of 2018 by The New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The San Francisco Chronicle, and Time. Amériques Histoire États-Unis Biographie Capitalisme Guerre civile Guerre Droit de vote Abraham Lincoln Égalité Afrique Justice sociale Socialisme
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The narration is excellent. The biography is dense and careful- which is owed to a profit like Douglass.

Fredrick Douglass Profit of Freedom

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This book should be mandatory reading for all schools, certainly a very prominent historical figure both for black history and mankind.

Absolutely amazing

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One of the most compelling, balanced and detailed biographies I've ever experienced. Incredible narration as well!

Fantastic Biography of a True American Founder

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A must read for anyone who wants to understand America's troubled race relations and our complicated past. May the South not rise again, and may all Americans face racism and be done with it.

Enlightening story of a great American

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As a Canadian who grew up with little education about Douglass, other than perhaps a passing mention in a high school American History class, this was a vividly detailed and informative biography.

While detailed, I found too much time was devoted to the many of the ancillary figures in Douglass’s life. As an audiobook, at least, I found it challenging to keep track of the many individuals and their backstories. Further, the digression into the ancillary figures made it difficult to remain properly engaged with the main narrative of the passage/chapter/etc.

I feel that Douglass’s incredible story was at times bogged down in the decadently rich detail of this book, but if you already are passionate about antebellum America or the abolition and civil rights movements, then perhaps the added layers of detail will be appealing. However, as someone coming into this with a limited historical context, I found the sheer depth to be detrimental.

If you’re a relative newcomer like me, I’d recommend buying this one hard copy rather than audiobook. It requires near-undivided attention (i.e. no listening while you’re cooking/cleaning/walking somewhere/working out) if you want to experience it properly.

Detailed, Thorough, Sobering

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