The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Review

Born into a family of slaves, Frederick Douglass educated himself through sheer determination. His unconquered will to triumph over his circumstances makes his one of America's best and most unlikely success stories. Douglass' own account of his journey from slave to one of America's great statesmen, writers, and orators is as fascinating as it is inspiring. -Goodreads

This was the first book of the year that my English teacher assigned us to read, and I was interested in what Frederick Douglass had to offer. It's a very quick read- only eleven chapters; and I wondered what message he would try to express.

The best way I can describe this narrative is with a vocabulary word I learned this past week: Pithy. It sounds like something negative, but I found that it's definition suited this work beautifully: it means powerful and concise. (You can understand why I love my English class...I feel much more intelligent after leaving!) Truly, though, this is one of the most meaningful and significant books that I have ever read.

Please take a few hours out of your usual reading and pick up The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. It's a decision you won't regret.

Rating: 10/10