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Narrative of the Life Frederick Douglass: An American Slave Audiobook
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(3.00) - 24,087 listener ratings
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This classic of American literature, a dramatic autobiography of the early life of an American slave, was first published in 1845, when its author had just achieved his freedom. It is a story that shocked the world with its first-hand account of the horrors of slavery. The book was an incredible success. It sold over thirty thousand copies and was an international bestseller. His eloquence gives a clear indication of the powerful principles that led Douglas to become the first great African-American leader in the United States.
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"This book is about an African American slave named Fredrick Douglass, who grew up in the 1800's. At a young age Fredrick was sent to live with Hugh and Sophia Auld. One day Fredrick over heard the Aulds talking about African American and how the white people ruled them, and kept them uneducated. Later in the story Fredrick gets picked up by a slave breaker and is taken away from the Auld family. After being picked up by the slave break he was beaten very badly every day by him. Fredrick hated his life he wanted to try and escape from his slave breaker but he knew if he got caught he would be beaten every worse. After awhile Fredrick is too fed up with getting beaten, one day he fights back and beat his slave owners butt. After that his slave owner never messed with him again. A few years later Fredrick becomes a little educated his takes what he knows and uses it for good. He began teaching the other slaves what he has learned. The police found out about his plan and Fredrick was put in jail. After a little bit Fredrick gets sent back to his first family he began saving up his money and when he has enough he escapes to New York. Where he meets, his wife Anna Murray a free slave. After getting married, they move to Massachusetts, where Fredrick ends up becoming a lecturer for an anti slavery society.After reading this book it opened my eyes more too how rough the African Americans had it during the 1800's. Also this book was very interesting. I learned a little bit about Fredrick from history class but this book gave me a better understanding of him. He tried making a difference in the slave life and I am proud he did. He was a good man.I would recommend this but to everyone that has interest in people that had an impact on our history. Also I would recommend this book to any one in our class that needs a recommended book. Because this book can teach you a lot about an important man in are past time."
— Joaquin (4 out of 5 stars)
Narrative of the Life Frederick Douglass Listener Reviews
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—
erick edison, 2/8/2022
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" A direct and honest account of a freed slave, a well-stated and thoughtful narrative providing a window into a life in slavery. "
— Bethany, 2/19/2014 -
" Amazing, heartwrenching, profound. Douglass was an amazing person and tells his story in such a straightforward but eloquent way. "
— Anna, 2/19/2014 -
" I enjoyed reading this book and I also did not enjoy it. This book caught my attention when Douglass described the life of the slaves. They were not given enough food to survive and they had to work all day long in the hot sun. Douglass described the whippings of the slaves and that really caught my attention. I did not enjoy the book also because Douglass uses to many details and events of his journey trying to become a free man. Douglass includes all the places that he went to for instance, he went to Baltimore and he fought with his master Cory. Douglass also learns how to caulk and many more on his journey. Reading Douglass's autobiography gave me a better vision of slavery "
— Benilde, 2/18/2014 -
" Good. I can see why it is an important work, espcially given the historical significance, but it is not my particular cup of tea. "
— Lisa, 2/14/2014 -
" This is a true eye opening narrative on life as a slave. After reading this in college, I knew it had changed my outlook on life forever. The suffering these people went through is unimaginable yet they were still able to keep their heads up. This is such an inspiring story. I recommend it to everyone. "
— Erika, 2/4/2014 -
" AMAZING. Adventure and wonderous prose, a quick read in a very slender volume. But what incredible history. This should be required reading as part of American History. "
— Shelby, 2/3/2014 -
" Amazing writing for a man tortured and punished for trying to learn to read and write. What an eye opening look . I never realized the awful deeds of these deplorable slave owners were rationalized by their sick mixed up ideas on Christianity. "
— Jackie, 1/31/2014 -
" It's a good book. It is nonfiction but there is still some good action. It helps you realize what it was like for slaves to live back then. It's somewhat hard to read because of the archaic words he uses. Takes some more time to read just because you have to think about and process what he is writing. "
— Michael, 1/24/2014 -
" Interesting read. Learned a lot about this man I've heard about my whole life. Loved his writing style. "
— Leila, 1/19/2014 -
" It was a great read and the other articles make it even better. "
— Ale, 1/18/2014 -
" Read it in college. Describes the life of a young African American man and his contribution to American History in a time of struggle for African Americans. Inspiring "
— Dpat, 1/17/2014 -
" I can't say anything about Douglass that hasn't already been said. He is a personal hero of mine and someone we should all look up to. The most important lesson that Douglass taught us is that literacy is the path from slavery to freedom. "
— Tony, 1/16/2014 -
" Very interesting to read a primary source from a former slave who rose to fame. "
— Pearl, 1/16/2014 -
" Probably my favorite reading assignment from my short stint in the Honors College. I never wanted to put it down. The prose is so clear and pulls you in. "
— Victoria, 1/15/2014 -
" Loved it. Douglass does an excellent job with retelling the events of slavery as it concerned him. I loved this book so much. "
— Lakishia, 12/29/2013 -
" Douglass' narrative makes me appreciate what I have. This narrative is very skillfully written... I loved this book! I recommend it to all willing to read it! "
— Deni, 12/23/2013 -
" Constantly surprised and corrected on how things were, rather how they were depicted to us in school. Some of the private thoughts Fredrick Douglas had are quite fitting in today's society that everyone can take from. "
— Qrae, 12/16/2013 -
" Incredible. Every American should read this book. I can't stress that enough. Required reading!! "
— Emily, 12/16/2013 -
" I have never understood slavery and how deep it went until I read this book. It was a true example of how heroic Douglass was and to what lengths he went to escape slavery and become successful. Great book "
— Genna, 12/16/2013 -
" Interesting read, not an all the time read, but an interesting one time read. "
— Amber, 12/14/2013 -
" I thought this was an amazing, fascinating book. I am 52 and as I grew up(whatever that is) I do not recall learning about any women or men of color-only white male heroes and historical figures. What a remarkable man and so awesome that all these years later, I can read his words. "
— Connie, 12/13/2013 -
" I thought this was an amazing, fascinating book. I am 52 and as I grew up(whatever that is) I do not recall learning about any women or men of color-only white male heroes and historical figures. What a remarkable man and so awesome that all these years later, I can read his words. "
— Connie, 12/10/2013 -
" This is a book that everyone should read to get an understanding of what it was like to be a slave. "
— Sylvia, 12/9/2013 -
" No words can be said of the cruelty inflicted on African Americans. If only history can be rewritten. "
— Mariela, 12/8/2013 -
" I did my senior paper on Frederick Douglass...got an A+ :D "
— Christina, 12/6/2013 -
" Can't believe this guy taught himself how to read and write! Amazing! "
— Marciea, 10/31/2013 -
" The introduction can be skipped, because Douglass's Narrative is better written. "
— Mark, 10/29/2013 -
" Douglass' narrative makes me appreciate what I have. This narrative is very skillfully written... I loved this book! I recommend it to all willing to read it! "
— Deni, 8/7/2013 -
" Much more entertaining than I expected it would be, and not nearly as grim as Roots, thank goodness (though of course it was stil a pretty brutal story). "
— Ashley, 7/27/2013 -
" After Roots, The Confessions of Nat Turner, etc., I can't say I "learned" anything about slavery and the desire for freedom from this quick read. But for me, the fluctuations in writing style -- from scared child, to preacher, etc. -- were fascinating. "
— Maura, 5/16/2013 -
" An excellent book about African American history (all grade levels) "
— Jade, 2/4/2013 -
" I am so glad that I finally got around to reading about this man in his own words. Loved this book!!! A must read for sure. "
— Wendy, 12/6/2012 -
" Wasn't too crazy about it, everyone says it's amazing and life changing, but it didn't have that effect on me. I expected more details, more description, more imagery. "
— Courtney, 11/23/2012 -
" After Roots, The Confessions of Nat Turner, etc., I can't say I "learned" anything about slavery and the desire for freedom from this quick read. But for me, the fluctuations in writing style -- from scared child, to preacher, etc. -- were fascinating. "
— Maura, 5/24/2012 -
" This was an eye-opening book for me. His experience was considered fairly mild compared to the experiences of slaves living in the deeper south, and yet I cannot even imagine living through all that he experienced. He was an amazing man, and this is a book that everyone should read. "
— Anne, 5/4/2012 -
" This was an eye-opening account of slavery. Some of the scenes were graphic, but a necessary evil. In my opinion, this is a book that every adult should read. I read this in high school, but I didn't appreciate it the way I should have done. Frederick Douglass was an amazing man. "
— Angie, 12/19/2011 -
" This book and his book, My Bondage and My Freedom were free downloads at Amazon.com so I decided to read these again. I am glad I did! I remember reading these many, many years ago -- it was definitely time to reacquaint myself with his books. "
— Catherine, 12/9/2011 -
" I read this many years ago and it was a complete stunner, absolutely mesmerizing. A slave finally stands up to his abusive master, flees the south, obtains an education and is then able to clearly articulate the plight of the slave. Incredible story, more stunning than fiction. "
— Kathryn, 11/24/2011 -
" If you like history then this is a good book for you. It gives a good look into the life of a slave. "
— Katie, 10/10/2011 -
" Currently re-reading for the fourth (and probably last) time. "
— LG, 9/10/2011 -
" Read this in HS and it really had an impact on me. Being in HS and just learning about US slave history, it was hard for me to read and yet I couldn't put it down. "
— Elisa, 6/25/2011 -
" I know I should love this book, that it should be a beautiful book about an amazing man, but god, I was bored to death. I think I fell asleep every time I tried to read it. "
— Boston, 6/10/2011 -
" This book is required reading in my African American History class. "
— David, 5/19/2011 -
" This book is required reading in my African American History class. "
— David, 5/19/2011 -
" This book is required reading in my African American History class. "
— David, 5/19/2011 -
" I read this for my American Nonfiction class. I enjoyed it because of my particular interests in racism and its roots in the United States. "
— Erica, 5/1/2011 -
" I read this for my American Nonfiction class. I enjoyed it because of my particular interests in racism and its roots in the United States. "
— Erica, 5/1/2011 -
" I read this for my American Nonfiction class. I enjoyed it because of my particular interests in racism and its roots in the United States. "
— Erica, 5/1/2011 -
" I remember being so proud of the man & this book that I wanted to cry. "
— Risa, 4/24/2011 -
" I remember being so proud of the man & this book that I wanted to cry. "
— Risa, 4/24/2011 -
" I remember being so proud of the man & this book that I wanted to cry. "
— Risa, 4/24/2011 -
" Amazing book for learning about life for a young slave boy during abolitionist talks. This would be great for a high school senior or college freshman to read if you want to teach them about Slavery and abolition. "
— Abigael, 4/20/2011 -
" Amazing book for learning about life for a young slave boy during abolitionist talks. This would be great for a high school senior or college freshman to read if you want to teach them about Slavery and abolition. "
— Abigael, 4/20/2011 -
" Amazing book for learning about life for a young slave boy during abolitionist talks. This would be great for a high school senior or college freshman to read if you want to teach them about Slavery and abolition. "
— Abigael, 4/20/2011 -
" should be manadatory reading for american history in high school "
— Ann, 3/21/2011 -
" An excellent book about African American history (all grade levels) "
— Jade, 3/21/2011 -
" should be manadatory reading for american history in high school "
— Ann, 3/21/2011 -
" An excellent book about African American history (all grade levels) "
— Jade, 3/21/2011 -
" should be manadatory reading for american history in high school "
— Ann, 3/21/2011 -
" An excellent book about African American history (all grade levels) "
— Jade, 3/21/2011
About the Authors
Frederick Douglass (1818–1895), né Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, was born into slavery in Maryland. Upon successfully escaping slavery—on his third attempt—in 1838, Douglass became one of the key leaders of the abolitionist movement in the United States. An extremely gifted orator, he repeatedly risked his own freedom as an antislavery speaker, writer, and statesman. A firm believer in equality for all people, including Native Americans, women, and immigrants, Douglass was also an activist in the women’s suffrage movement. He died in Washington DC, shortly after he attended a meeting of the National Council of Women, where he had received a standing ovation for his enormous contribution to human rights.