Discover a new way to read classics with Quick Read. This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter. - Reading time of the complete text: about 4 hours - Reading time of the summarized text: 10 minutes The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is an 1845 memoir and treatise on abolition written by African-American orator and former slave Frederick Douglass. It is considered to be one of the most influential pieces of literature to fuel the abolitionist movement of the early 19th century in the United States. The text describes the events of his life as a slave and his ambition to become a free man. Douglass details the cruel interaction that occurs between slaves and slaveholders, as well as how slaves are supposed to behave in the presence of their masters. He also discusses his new mistress, Mrs. Sophia Auld, who begins as a very kind woman but eventually turns cruel. Douglass learns the alphabet and how to spell small words from this woman, but her husband, Mr. Auld, disapproves and states that if slaves could read, they would not be fit to be slaves. Douglass eventually gains an understanding of the word abolition and develops the idea to run away to the North. He also learns how to write and how to read well. The publication of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass opened several doors, not only for Douglass's ambitious work, but also for the anti-slavery movement of that time.

"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" is the 1845 autobiography of freed slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. It recounts his life as a slave in Maryland and his flight for freedom. The account is accompanied by texts written by well-known fellow abolitionists of the time: William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Philipps, acting as proof of the legitimacy of the author's claims. Upon its publication, the texts was well received, although it did get some negative feedback both from people acquainted with Douglass's old masters, and with people doubting their cruelty, or that a black man could have written such a text. Nevertheless, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" had a huge impact on society, and remains one of the most read and studied personal accounts of slavery in America in the 19th century to this day. Frederick Douglass (1818-1995) was an American abolitionist and author. Born into slavery in Maryland, he was of African, European, and Native American descent. He was separated from his mother at a young age and lived with his grandmother until he was sold on. Frederick was taught his alphabet by the wife of one of his owners, a knowledge he passed on to other slaves. In 1838, he successfully escaped slavery by jumping on a north-bound train. After less than 24 hours, he was in New York and free. The same year, he married the woman that had inspired his run for freedom and started working actively as a social reformer, orator, statesman, and women's rights defender. He remains most known today for his 1845 autobiography "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave."

One of the most powerful autobiographies ever written, Narrary of the Life of Frederick Douglass is a timeless testament to courage, resilience, and the unbreakable desire for freedom. Born into slavery in Maryland, Frederick Douglass endured unimaginable brutality-family separation, hunger, violence, and the daily stripping away of human dignity. Yet through extraordinary determination, he taught himself to read and write, awakening a fierce understanding of justice that would change his life-and the world. In this gripping firsthand account, Douglass exposes the true horrors of American slavery: the cruelty of overseers, the hypocrisy of "Christian" slaveholders, and the systematic tactics used to keep enslaved people oppressed. His story builds toward a dramatic escape to freedom, followed by his rise as one of the most influential voices of the abolitionist movement. Raw, urgent, and unforgettable, this narrative remains essential reading for anyone interested in history, human rights, and the triumph of the human spirit. This edition is perfect for students, scholars, and general readers seeking a foundational work of American literature and a deeply inspiring true story.

Voici le plus grand discours anti-esclavagiste. Il a été prononcé le 5 juillet 1852 par le plus célèbre des anciens esclaves, Frederick Douglass, il est magistral, implacable, un feu d'artifice rhétorique utilisant toutes les figures de style possibles pour dénoncer avec une rare virulence le crime de l'esclavage, dont la nation toute entière est accusée d'être complice.

Les luttes pour l'égalité et la justice sociale portées au XXe siècle par Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King ou Malcolm X se poursuivent aujourd'hui grâce au mouvement Black Lives Matter. Elles ont une longue histoire, qui commence avec le combat pour l'abolition de l'esclavage. Les Noirs y tiennent dès le début une place essentielle. Frederick Douglass est le plus célèbre d'entre eux. Son autobiographie, saluée pour ses qualités rhétoriques, est recommandée à partir de la classe de 4e. Texte intégral, suivi du récit inédit de son évasion, et préfacé par Michaël Roy, meilleur spécialiste français de Frederick Douglass.

«  Mes lecteurs ont vu comment d'un homme on faisait un esclave  ; ils vont voir comment un esclave devint un homme.  »  Né dans une plantation du Maryland en 1818, Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey est esclave de père blanc. En 1825, il est envoyé comme manoeuvre à Baltimore, puis loué à un negro breaker (casseur d'esclaves) en 1834. À 20 ans, il s'évade, déguisé en marin, et se réfugie dans le Massachusetts où il prend le nom de Douglass et participe à des meetings abolitionnistes.En 1845, il publie ses Mémoires dans lesquelles il dissèque le système esclavagiste. Celui qui avait appris seul à lire et à écrire - persuadé que l'éducation était la clé de la liberté - relate sa vie d'esclave et son émancipation, physique et intellectuelle. Douglass sait que la libération passe par la sortie de l'ignorance.Il se convertit rapidement en une des grandes figures abolitionnistes des États-Unis et en père du Mouvement de libération des Noirs. Comme Twelve Years a Slave de Solomon Northup quelques années plus tard, ses Mémoires deviennent un des grands textes classiques sur la condition des esclaves racontée par eux-mêmes et une référence de la littérature antiesclavagiste.En 1852, il déclarera  : «  Nulle part au monde il n'y a une nation qui soit coupable de crimes aussi sanglants et aussi ignobles que ceux que commettent en ce jour et à cette heure les citoyens des États-Unis.  »    Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)Orateur éloquent, abolitionniste, Frederick Douglass écrit son autobiographie en 1845. La notoriété de son récit met en péril sa liberté illégale dans les États non esclavagistes du Nord. Il se réfugie en Europe où il obtient son affranchissement officiel.Conférencier populaire à partir de 1866, il occupe diverses fonctions administratives dans le gouvernement entre 1871 et 1895.Frederick Douglass croyait fermement à l'égalité de tous, incluant les descendants d'africains, les femmes, les immigrants, et évidemment tous les autres américains d'ascendance européenne.    Préface de Marie-Jeanne Rossignol, Professeure d'études américaines - Université Paris Diderot. Laboratoire de recherches sur les cultures anglophones)

The Complete Works of Frederick Douglass offers an inspiring and powerful look into the life and writings of one of America's most important historical figures. This collection includes Douglass's autobiographies, speeches, essays, and letters, capturing his incredible journey from slavery to becoming a leading voice for freedom, justice, and equality. Written with passion and clarity, his works speak not only to the struggles of his time but also to ongoing conversations about human rights. This edition is perfect for anyone interested in history, social justice, or the story of a man who helped shape the conscience of a nation. Contents: The Novella The Heroic Slave The Autobiographies A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave My Bondage and My Freedom Life and Times of Frederick Douglass The Essays and Speeches

In his powerful speech, Abolition Fanaticism in New York, Frederick Douglass, the renowned African American abolitionist and social reformer, passionately denounces the institution of slavery and criticizes the prevailing attitudes in New York that perpetuated racial inequality. Douglass begins by addressing the charge of "fanaticism" often leveled at abolitionists. He argues that the term is often used to silence and discredit those who challenge the status quo, and that it is particularly dangerous when used to justify the enslavement of human beings. Douglass then goes on to describe the horrors of slavery in unflinching detail. He recounts the physical and psychological abuse that enslaved people endured, as well as the economic and political system that underpinned the institution. He also challenges the common belief that slavery was a necessary evil, arguing that it was a morally repugnant system that had no place in a civilized society. In addition to his critique of slavery, Douglass also criticizes the hypocrisy of the American people, who claimed to be champions of liberty while at the same time condoning the enslavement of millions of their fellow citizens. He also criticizes the northern states for their complicity in slavery, arguing that their economic ties to the South made them complicit in the perpetuation of the institution. Douglass's speech is a powerful indictment of slavery and a call for immediate abolition. It is also a powerful reminder of the importance of fighting against injustice and inequality, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

In ""Reconstruction,"" the eminent abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass delivers a powerful and insightful analysis of one of the most transformative periods in American history. This remarkable book takes readers on a journey through the tumultuous era following the Civil War, when the nation grappled with the immense task of rebuilding itself, both physically and morally. Drawing upon his unparalleled life experiences as a former enslaved person who had risen to prominence as an abolitionist, speaker, and writer, Douglass offers a unique and deeply personal perspective on the Reconstruction era. His narrative combines historical expertise with a passionate call for justice, equality, and civil rights for all. ""Reconstruction"" illuminates the struggles and achievements of the time, from the passage of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the challenges faced by newly freed African Americans. Douglass's eloquent prose provides a vivid account of the battles fought in Congress and on the streets, the tensions between North and South, and the rise of movements for racial equality. This book is a seminal work that remains relevant today as it sheds light on the unresolved issues of race, power, and civil rights in America. Frederick Douglass's ""Reconstruction"" is an essential read for those who seek to understand the enduring legacy of this pivotal period in American history and the ongoing quest for justice and equality.

The Underground Railroad was a network of clandestine routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early- to the mid-19th century. It was used by enslaved African Americans primarily to escape into free states and Canada.The network was assisted by abolitionists and others sympathetic to the cause of the escapees.The enslaved persons who risked escape and those who aided them are also collectively referred to as the "Underground Railroad". Various other routes led to Mexico, where slavery had been abolished, and to islands in the Caribbean that were not part of the slave trade. An earlier escape route running south toward Florida, then a Spanish possession (except 1763-1783), existed from the late 17th century until approximately 1790.However, the network now generally known as the Underground Railroad began in the late 18th century. It ran north and grew steadily until the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. One estimate suggests that by 1850, approximately 100,000 enslaved people had escaped to freedom via the network. Contents: Henry Box Brown William Wells Brown James Hambleton Christian Theophilus Collins Seth Concklin William and Ellen Craft Frederick Douglass Abram Galloway and Richard Eden Charles Gilbert Samuel Green Jamie Griffin Harry Grimes James Hamlet and Others Josiah Henson John Henry Hill Ann Maria Jackson and Her Seven Children Harriet Jacobs Jane Johnson Matilda Mahoney Mary Frances Melvin Aunt Hannah Moore Alfred S. Thornton

`Abolition Fanaticism in New York' is a speech written by Douglass and delivered in 1847. Proving that the pen can be mightier than the sword, Douglass deftly used his linguistic abilities to create a rousing appeal to the English to shame America into abolishing slavery. Witty, moving, and always intelligent, this is a superb read for anyone with an interest in one of America's most unsung heroes. Frederick Douglass (1818-1995) was an American abolitionist and author. Born into slavery in Maryland, he was of African, European, and Native American descent. He was separated from his mother at a young age and lived with his grandmother until he was moved to another plantation. Frederick was taught his alphabet by the wife of one of his owners, a knowledge he passed on to other slaves. In 1838, he successfully escaped slavery by jumping on a north-bound train. After less than 24 hours, he was in New York and free. The same year, he married the woman that had inspired his run for freedom and started working actively as a social reformer, orator, statesman, and women's rights defender. He remains most known today for his 1845 autobiography "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave".

Written to honour the life of the eponymous abolitionist and activist, `John Brown' is the transcript of a speech delivered by Douglass in 1860. While some saw Brown as a radical and a criminal, Douglass saw his friend as a man prepared to sacrifice his life so that others might be free. Passionate and powerful, the speech not only extolls Brown's virtues, but also highlights the political and social issues faced by African Americans at the time. ´John Brown´ is an important read for anyone with an interest in social justice and injustice. Frederick Douglass (1818-1995) was an American abolitionist and author. Born into slavery in Maryland, he was of African, European, and Native American descent. He was separated from his mother at a young age and lived with his grandmother until he was moved to another plantation. Frederick was taught his alphabet by the wife of one of his owners, a knowledge he passed on to other slaves. In 1838, he successfully escaped slavery by jumping on a north-bound train. After less than 24 hours, he was in New York and free. The same year, he married the woman that had inspired his run for freedom and started working actively as a social reformer, orator, statesman, and women's rights defender. He remains most known today for his 1845 autobiography "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave."

The second of Douglass' three autobiographies, `My Bondage and My Freedom' details his transition from youth to adulthood, while under the bonds of slavery. Even when he manages to escape, he discovers that his struggles to be treated and seen as an equal aren't over, even when he reaches the apparently-libertarian Northern states. Unflinching in his recollections of brutality and psychological torment, Douglass paints a picture composed of sadness, anger, and compassion. A stunning and important work. 'My Bondage and My Freedom' should be read by anyone and everyone. Frederick Douglass (1818-1995) was an American abolitionist and author. Born into slavery in Maryland, he was of African, European, and Native American descent. He was separated from his mother at a young age and lived with his grandmother until he was moved to another plantation. Frederick was taught his alphabet by the wife of one of his owners, a knowledge he passed on to other slaves. In 1838, he successfully escaped slavery by jumping on a north-bound train. After less than 24 hours, he was in New York and free. The same year, he married the woman that had inspired his run for freedom and started working actively as a social reformer, orator, statesman, and women's rights defender. He remains most known today for his 1845 autobiography "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave."

We have felt that the most fitting tribute that we, of the Anti-Caste movement, can pay to the memory of this noble and faithful life is to issue broadcast-as far as the means entrusted to us will allow-his last great appeal for justice (uttered through the pages of "The A.M.E. Church Review" only a few months before his death). A slanderous charge against Negro morality has gone forth throughout the world and has been widely credited. The white American has had his say both North and South. On behalf of the accused, Frederick Douglass claims, in the name of justice, to be heard.

`Two Articles by Frederick Douglass' houses two of the abolitionist's most important essays on race and equality. The first essay, `My Escape from Slavery', details his daring bid for freedom from a plantation as well as his experiences on reaching New York. The second, `Reconstruction', is an open letter to the white readers of the `Atlantic Monthly' magazine, highlighting the importance of extending the vote to African Americans and the need for equal rights. The two essays are startling pieces of writing, with both documenting the struggles faced by African Americans at the time. ´Two Articles´ will delight any person already familiar with Douglass' body of work. Frederick Douglass (1818-1995) was an American abolitionist and author. Born into slavery in Maryland, he was of African, European, and Native American descent. He was separated from his mother at a young age and lived with his grandmother until he was moved to another plantation. Frederick was taught his alphabet by the wife of one of his owners, a knowledge he passed on to other slaves. In 1838, he successfully escaped slavery by jumping on a north-bound train. After less than 24 hours, he was in New York and free. The same year, he married the woman that had inspired his run for freedom and started working actively as a social reformer, orator, statesman, and women's rights defender. He remains most known today for his 1845 autobiography "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave."

Written just a year before his death, `Why is the Negro Lynched?' is one of Douglass' most moving and passionate speeches. Still sadly-pertinent today, his skill as a wordsmith is captured in passages that discuss everything from law and respect for human life to religion and the necessity for belonging. An expert orator, Douglass presents his arguments as though they were part of a court case, deftly switching between the roles of prosecution and defence, before passing sentence against the white establishment of the time. An important book for anyone and everyone. Frederick Douglass (1818-1995) was an American abolitionist and author. Born into slavery in Maryland, he was of African, European, and Native American descent. He was separated from his mother at a young age and lived with his grandmother until he was moved to another plantation. Frederick was taught his alphabet by the wife of one of his owners, a knowledge he passed on to other slaves. In 1838, he successfully escaped slavery by jumping on a north-bound train. After less than 24 hours, he was in New York and free. The same year, he married the woman that had inspired his run for freedom and started working actively as a social reformer, orator, statesman, and women's rights defender. He remains most known today for his 1845 autobiography "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave."

"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" is the 1845 autobiography of freed slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. It recounts his life as a slave in Maryland and his flight for freedom. The account is accompanied by texts written by well-known fellow abolitionists of the time: William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Philipps, acting as proof of the legitimacy of the author's claims. Upon its publication, the texts was well received, although it did get some negative feedback both from people acquainted with Douglass's old masters, and with people doubting their cruelty, or that a black man could have written such a text. Nevertheless, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" had a huge impact on society, and remains one of the most read and studied personal accounts of slavery in America in the 19th century to this day. Frederick Douglass (1818-1995) was an American abolitionist and author. Born into slavery in Maryland, he was of African, European, and Native American descent. He was separated from his mother at a young age and lived with his grandmother until he was sold on. Frederick was taught his alphabet by the wife of one of his owners, a knowledge he passed on to other slaves. In 1838, he successfully escaped slavery by jumping on a north-bound train. After less than 24 hours, he was in New York and free. The same year, he married the woman that had inspired his run for freedom and started working actively as a social reformer, orator, statesman, and women's rights defender. He remains most known today for his 1845 autobiography "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave."

This is the speech given by Fredrick Douglass at the unveiling of the Freedmen's Monument in Lincoln Park, Washington DC, April 14, 1876 along with the appendix which includes additional information about the order of the events and the story of the beginning of the collection of funds. - Summary by Edward Graham V

Published in 1845, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself was written in response to critics who questioned the authenticity of the experiences Douglass drew on as a prominent abolitionist speaker. Douglass begins by describing his earliest memories, including his "entrance to the hell of slavery" through the "blood-stained gate" of his Aunt Hester's brutal beating, and goes on to tell of his painstaking acquisition of literacy, climactic fistfight with Edward Covey, imprisonment in the wake of a thwarted escape attempt, and flight north, first to New York, where he marries Anna Murray, and ultimately to New Bedford, Massachusetts. A runaway bestseller that sold thousands of copies in just its first few months in print, Douglass's autobiography is a classic fugitive slave narrative that paved the way for his dramatic career as an enormously influential advocate for civil rights. Summary by Jesse Zuba

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is a memoir and treatise on abolition written by famous orator and ex-slave, Frederick Douglass. It is generally held to be the most famous of a number of narratives written by former slaves during the same period. In factual detail, the text describes the events of his life and is considered to be one of the most influential pieces of literature to fuel the abolitionist movement of the early 19th Century in the United States. (Summary by Jeanette)

Frederick Douglass, né Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey en 1817 ou 1818, et mort le 20 février 1895 à Washington, est un orateur, abolitionniste, éditeur et fonctionnaire américain. Né esclave, il réussit à s'instruire et s'enfuir. Communicateur éloquent, il écrit son autobiographie : La Vie de Frederick Douglass, un esclave américain, écrite par lui-même. L'espoir naissant de la liberté | Vers l'âge de douze ans, il est envoyé à Baltimore chez Hugh Auld, dont le frère Thomas avait marié la fille du Capitaine Anthony. Le séjour de Douglass chez le frère du gendre de son propriétaire s'avère une bénédiction dans sa vie, sans laquelle il n'aurait peut-être jamais pu espérer devenir libre. En effet Madame Auld, Sophia, est très gentille envers lui et, à l'insu de son mari, ainsi qu'au mépris de la loi qui lui interdisait de le faire, elle apprend au petit Frederick les rudiments de la lecture. Le mari apprend le « complot » et sermonne sa femme sur le fait que l'apprentissage de la lecture par un esclave le porterait immanquablement à ne plus se satisfaire de sa condition, « Le savoir gâterait le meilleur nègre du monde. Si tu enseignes à ce nègre à lire, il n'y aura plus moyen de le tenir. Cela le rendra à jamais inapte à l'esclavage », se souvient d'avoir entendu dire de lui Douglass. C'est pour lui comme une révélation, et dès lors il met tout en oeuvre pour poursuivre son éducation...| |Source Wikipédia|

Sept œuvres majeures de Frederick Douglass réunies en un seul volume : mémoires poignants, récits d'évasion, discours percutants et fiction engagée.