Book Review: Frederick Douglass and the Fourth of July

"An apostle of freedom and a tireless agitator" p. 203

Stars: 5/5

If you are expecting this book to be about one speech given on or about one particular day - the Fourth of July - you are in for a surprise. Colaiaco has crafted an impressively comprehensive study on Frederick Douglass. The dissemination of the “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” speech is the major arc but it is not the book’s only appeal. To provide context, the author presents copious material on the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 and Supreme Court Chief Justice Taney's majority opinion on Dred Scott v. Sanford; both of which were major setbacks to the abolitionist movement but were not enough to deter Frederick Douglass. Colaiaco also provides a brief observation into the relationship between Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison and when and why their abolitionist strategies diverged. The intentions of the framers of the Constitution, other relevant Frederick Douglass speeches and Abraham Lincoln’s role during this time are also analyzed and discussed here.
I will mention that this book does not include the full “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” speech. Although this can be easily overcome with a simple internet search, I believe it would be nice to have it included in the book as an appendix.

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Book Review: The Heroic Slave

"The hope of freedom seemed to sweeten...the bitter cup of slavery"   Pt. I

Stars: 4/5

Frederick Douglass's 1852 venture into fiction is a short tale of a slave, Madison Washington, and his attempts to escape enslavement and flee to Canada. Along the way, Madison meets Mr. Listwell, a white abolitionist, who befriends him and aids him in his escape. For fear of giving too much away - you'll have to read it for yourself - in the end, we hear of Madison landing on the shores of Nassau, Bahamas.

Although it didn’t reach the prominence in anti-slavery fiction as Uncle Tom’s Cabin of the same year, The Heroic Slave is substantial in the fact that it was written by distinguished abolitionist, Frederick Douglass.

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Book Review: Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave

"...valuable bread of knowledge." (pg. 44)

Stars: 5/5

First, I must mention that there are several editions of this book that have been published. I actually have two different editions but henceforth I will be referring to the Barnes & Noble Classic version with the Introduction by Robert O'Meally published in 2003. It is unlikely the other editions are better.

With timelines and detailed endnotes, Robert O'Meally, a Columbia University Professor, provides a scholarly introduction to Narrative, which all combine to create an excellent reference on Frederick Douglass.

One would make quick work in reading the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. It is not a lengthy autobiography which could be attributed to the fact that this is his first autobiography; it was written in 1845 when he was around 27 years of age. He later pens My Bondage and My Freedom (1855) and The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (Dover Value Editions) (1892).

In short, it is a must read for everyone! Frederick Douglass provides a first-hand account of the evils of slavery, unveiling its immorality for all to see. He writes clearly, descriptively and at times with emotion; appropriately so given the circumstances. From his attempts at identifying his father, to his encounters with his various masters and overseers, to his epiphany that "...rekindled the few expiring embers of freedom...", you will be a passenger on his journey to emancipation.

Upon learning how to read, Frederick Douglass stated, "The more I read, the more I was led to abhor and detest my enslavers." When reading this autobiography those same feelings will arise anew in you.

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