Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight
p. 51
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“… in his living situation in Baltimore, his intellectual curiosity exploding in the midst of the stultifying Auld household, gazing out on ships parting and arriving in the harbor, Douglass realized that slaveholders fear of outside denunciation…provided proof he was not alone.” p. 51
And so began the inspiration for Douglass to reach others who could join him in an endeavor for freedom, not just for himself, but all those in bondage.
This is a very dense book- full of facts, quotes, excerpts of speeches, newspaper editorials, letters, and photographs.
The book chronicles the rich life and influences of Frederick Douglass- not just his professional life as an abolitionist, journalist, orator, and writer, but his personal life. This makes the “prophet” more human. He was beset with family problems, money woes, and scandals. He certainly was not perfect. He was anti-Catholic, dismissive of cultural plurality, and not completely supportive of women’s rights. Still, he was a man to be admired.
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