The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (Hrw Library)

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Summary: Frederick Douglass Review
Review: This book starts off with Frederick Douglass basicly introducing himself. He told about his childhood, and what it was like to be a slave, he told about some of the brutal things he witnessed done by his master to older slaves. Frederick Douglass did not know too much of his mother and only recalls seeing her an estimated 10 times in his whole life. "For what this separation is done, I do not know, unless it be to hinder development of the child's affection towards its mother and to blunt and destroy the natural affection of the mother for the child." His father was a white man and it was rumored that it was his first master, Captain Anthony. When he is young he gets moved to the "Great House Farm," this is where Douglass experiences the harshness of slavery, always being cold and hungry.
At the age of about 7 or 8 Douglass is moved to a new master in Baltimore. His new mistress in Baltimore treats him very well and starts to teach him how to read. When his master learns she is doing this, he rebukes and changes her into a different, more cruel person. At first she treated Douglass as she supposed a human being ought to be treated, then Mr. Auld told her of the danger of educating a slave. " Slavery soon proved its ability to diverst her of these heavenly qualities. She now commenced to practice her husbands precepts." Despite Mr. Auld's efforts, it was too late, Douglass was determined to learn to read. When Douglass becomes good at reading and gaining knowledge it started to bring him misery, he learns about liberty, justice and truth. He soon makes the decision that he will someday attempt to escape to freedom. Douglass also teaches himself to write, for who knows, he may write a book some day!
After the death of his master, Captain Anthony, he eventually ends up living with Captain Thomas Auld. Life is more difficult for Douglass with Captain Auld. Captain Auld believes that Douglass was spoiled in the city life and this makes him even harder on Douglass. Captain Auld decides to send Douglass to Mr. Covey, who has a reputation for being a "nigger breaker." The first six months here were the darkest days of his life, recalls Douglass. Here, Douglass is overworked and beaten regularly. One day after being beaten badly, Douglass seeks help from Master Thomas, only to be sent back, but on his return Douglass decides he will not be beaten without retaliation. The next time Captain Auld tries to beat him it turns into a two hour fight, and after that Captain Auld didn't beat Douglass again. After working with Captain Auld, Douglass is sent to work with Mr. Freeland, a fair, respectable master in Douglass's opinion.
Douglass soon becomes restless, he knows he is meant for more than being a slave. He is sick of being treated like a dog, or even worse at times. "By this time, I began to want to live upon free land as well as with Freeland; and I was no longer content, therefore, to live with him, or any other slaveholder." It is here that Douglass makes his escape to New York. Douglass struggles with having to leave his friends and loved ones in Baltimore. On September 3, 1838, Douglass succeeds in reaching New York, at last, a free man. Not too long after, he marries Anna Murray, a free black woman.
I think this novel was very well written. It was very impressive how Douglass could write so well for not having a proper education, having had to teach himself everything that he knows. He also had a knack for keeping his autobiography very exciting and random, you never know what will happen next, and this is impressive for his own life story. I know if I had my own life story, people would have to drink a lot of coffee to stay awake through it. I am having a hard time thinking of anything bad or that did not work with this novel, it was very well written and fun to read. I would recommend this book to anybody who wants a good read. It gives a lot of insight to life as a slave and is not just a boring story of some guy's life, he lived a very interesting life and anyone could learn from his experiences. I often find myself thinking about other things while I read but during this book it kept me focused and on task at all times.

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Summary: Cliff's Notes of "My Bondage, My Freedom"
Review: While this book is a good one, it is merely a smaller version of Douglass' more substantial work, "My Bondage, My Freedom". This one, however, does contain the more inspiring, more breathtakingly amazing accounts of the trials of Douglass' life.
If you are interested in Douglass, check this out. If you are already a fan of Douglass and his amazingly inspiring story, buy the larger volume. Both will move you from within and inspire you to be a better person.

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Summary: JAMIN BIO!
Review: Wow! This has got to be one of the best autobiographies I have ever read. Douglass gives one a great idea of the struggles he went through while he was a slave and trying to runaway. If you want to know more about slavery then this is the book to read.