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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave is the autobiography of Frederick Douglass, born into slavery in Maryland. It recounts his harsh experiences under slavery, his determination to educate himself, and his courageous escape to Massachusetts in 1838. The book details his transformation into a prominent abolitionist and advocate for women's rights, blending personal struggle with powerful biblical imagery to create a foundational anti-slavery text.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3500

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in biographies, American history, abolitionism, and early advocacy for human rights, as well as those seeking foundational texts on slavery and emancipation.

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Frederick Douglass's Narrative recounts his life as a slave in Maryland and escape to freedom in 1838. An important slave autobiography, it is significant both for what it tells us about slave life and about its author. It is here reprinted with contexualizing source material and other writings by Douglass, as well as an introduction discussing its literary and historical significance.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

"I was born in Tuckahoe I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it. By far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know of theirs, and it is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus ignorant."

Thus begins the autobiography of Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), who was born into slavery in Maryland. After his escape to Massachusetts in 1838, he became an ardent abolitionist and campaigner for women's rights. His Narrative, which became an instant bestseller upon its publication in 1845, describes his life as a slave, the cruelty he suffered at the hands of his masters, his struggle to educate himself, and his fight for freedom.

Passionately written and often employing striking biblical imagery, the Narrative came to assume epic proportions as a founding anti-slavery text in which Douglass carefully crafted both his life story and his persona. This new edition examines Douglass, the man and the myth, his complex relationship with women, and the enduring power of his book. It includes extracts from Douglass's primary sources and examples of his writing on women's rights.

ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years, Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate texts plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A review from Vulpes Libris praises this edition as "a huge amount packed into a slim volume," recommending it as an excellent starting point to learn more about Frederick Douglass.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780199539079

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 March 2009

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Oxford University Press

Contributors:

  • Edited by Deborah E. McDowell

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 8.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 195.0mm

Weight: 136g

Pages: 176

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