Frederick Douglass
Prophet of Freedom
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Frederick Douglass
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Narrated by:
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Prentice Onayemi
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Written by:
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David W. Blight
About this listen
Pulitzer Prize, History, 2019
The definitive, dramatic biography of the most important African American of the 19th century: Frederick Douglass, the escaped slave who became the greatest orator of his day and one of the leading abolitionists and writers of the era.
As a young man, Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) escaped from slavery in Baltimore, Maryland. He was fortunate to have been taught to read by his slave owner mistress, and he would go on to become one of the major literary figures of his time. He wrote three versions of his autobiography over the course of his lifetime and published his own newspaper. His very existence gave the lie to slave owners: with dignity and great intelligence, he bore witness to the brutality of slavery.
Initially mentored by William Lloyd Garrison, Douglass spoke widely, often to large crowds, using his own story to condemn slavery. He broke with Garrison to become a political abolitionist, a Republican, and eventually a Lincoln supporter. By the Civil War and during Reconstruction, Douglass became the most famed and widely traveled orator in the nation. He denounced the premature end of Reconstruction and the emerging Jim Crow era. In his unique and eloquent voice, written and spoken, Douglass was a fierce critic of the US as well as a radical patriot. He sometimes argued politically with younger African Americans, but he never forsook either the Republican party or the cause of Black civil and political rights.
In this remarkable biography, David Blight has drawn on new information held in a private collection that few other historian have consulted, as well as recently discovered issues of Douglass’ newspapers. Blight tells the fascinating story of Douglass’ two marriages and his complex extended family. Douglass was not only an astonishing man of words, but a thinker steeped in Biblical story and theology. There has not been a major biography of Douglass in a quarter century. David Blight’s Frederick Douglass affords this important American the distinguished biography he deserves.
©2018 David W. Blight (P)2018 Simon & SchusterWhat listeners say about Frederick Douglass
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2024-08-07
Fredrick Douglass Profit of Freedom
The narration is excellent. The biography is dense and careful- which is owed to a profit like Douglass.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bev
- 2022-07-25
Fantastic Biography of a True American Founder
One of the most compelling, balanced and detailed biographies I've ever experienced. Incredible narration as well!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Nick Spector
- 2019-03-18
Detailed, Thorough, Sobering
As a Canadian who grew up with little education about Douglass, other than perhaps a passing mention in a high school American History class, this was a vividly detailed and informative biography.
While detailed, I found too much time was devoted to the many of the ancillary figures in Douglass’s life. As an audiobook, at least, I found it challenging to keep track of the many individuals and their backstories. Further, the digression into the ancillary figures made it difficult to remain properly engaged with the main narrative of the passage/chapter/etc.
I feel that Douglass’s incredible story was at times bogged down in the decadently rich detail of this book, but if you already are passionate about antebellum America or the abolition and civil rights movements, then perhaps the added layers of detail will be appealing. However, as someone coming into this with a limited historical context, I found the sheer depth to be detrimental.
If you’re a relative newcomer like me, I’d recommend buying this one hard copy rather than audiobook. It requires near-undivided attention (i.e. no listening while you’re cooking/cleaning/walking somewhere/working out) if you want to experience it properly.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- shadea
- 2020-12-28
Absolutely amazing
This book should be mandatory reading for all schools, certainly a very prominent historical figure both for black history and mankind.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ken Sailor
- 2022-08-02
Enlightening story of a great American
A must read for anyone who wants to understand America's troubled race relations and our complicated past. May the South not rise again, and may all Americans face racism and be done with it.
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