Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave

A few years ago, I purchased the book, the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, which was published in 1845. But as life would have it, I got a chance to finally read it this month. The first thing I loved about this book was something peculiar on the cover. In place of where the author’s name is normally printed, it stated, “Written by Himself”. In my lifetime, I have never seen that on a book cover before. So I smiled and thought of the brilliance of this move. Personally, I found it to be bold, daring, and audacious in a time where self-awareness from a person looking and sounding like Frederick Douglass was unpopular in the United States. After viewing the cover and absorbing it for a while, I knew with certainty that there were moments in his life that encapsulated these words and more to form a powerful existence in his being.


In this narrative, there were several elements that I found intriguing such as Mr. Douglass’ questioning the basis of slavery and stating “what man can make…man can unmake”, how he learned at an early age that being literate--reading and writing-- would grant him the opportunity to live a life that he wanted to lead, understanding the mental anguish and impairments of being enslaved (because the physical abuse was so apparent), and the worth of Mr. Douglass writing his own pass to places that he and others could eventually benefit from.

There is a saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” The narrative in this book which again was published in 1845 has some similarities to our platforms today in 2013 which I found compelling:

· Understanding the Existence of Varying Systems and Navigating Through Them

· The Importance of Learning and the Pursuit of Education

· Coping and Living with Mental Illness (considered Mental Slavery in the book)

· Forging Ahead and Seeking Opportunities for Our Families

· Working Together to Serve and Benefit Others

In reading this book and excerpts from it again and again, I have been enlightened to see the evidence of this truth. The philosopher, George Santayana stated, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” I agree, and I highly recommend reading of this book for ages 15 and above. Knowing this land’s history is powerful and can be magnified every day if we are open to embracing it.



Helen H. Kimbrough
Proud mom of a voracious reader and an interested reader
AK Classics
PO Box 77203
Charlotte, NC 28271
www.akclassicstories.com