The life and times of Frederick Douglass : his early life as a slave, his escape from bondage, and his complete history

Raised as a plantation slave who was taught to read and write by one of his owners, Frederick Douglass became a brilliant writer, eloquent orator, and major participant in the stuggle of African-Americans for freedom and equality. In this engrossing, first-hand narrative originally published in 1845, he vividly recounts early years of physical abuse, deprivation and tragedy; his dramatic escape to the North and eventual freedom, abolitionist campaigns, and crusade for full civil rights for former slaves. A powerful autobiography of a passionate civil rights advocate, this book will be of value to anyone interested in African-American history. Introduction [to the 1892 edition] -- Author's birth -- Removal from grandmother's -- Troubles of childhood -- A General survey of the slave plantation -- A Slaveholder's character -- A Child's reasoning -- Luxuries at the great house -- Characteristics of overseers -- Change of location -- Learning to read -- Growing in knowledge -- Religious nature awakened -- The Vicissitudes of slave life -- Experience in St. Michaels -- Covey, the Negro breaker -- Another pressure of the tyrant's vise -- The Last flogging -- New relations and duties -- The Runaway plot -- Apprenticeship life -- Escape from slavery -- Life as a freeman -- Introduced to the abolitionists -- Recollections of old friends -- One hundred conventions -- Impressions abroad -- Triumphs and trials -- John Brown and Mrs. Stowe -- Increasing demands of the slave power -- The Beginning of the end -- Secession and war -- Hope for the nation -- Vast changes -- Living and learning -- Weighed in the balance -- "Time to make all things even" -- Incidents and events -- "Honor to whom honor" -- Retrospection -- Appendix : Oration by Frederick Douglass, delivered on the occasion of the unveiling of the freedman's monument in memory of Abraham Lincoln, in Lincoln Park, Washington D.C., April 14, 1876 -- Extract from a speech deliverd at Elmira, N.Y., August 1, 1880, to celebrate West Indies emancipation -- Later life -- A Grand occasion -- Doubts as to Garfield's course -- President Cleveland's administration -- The Supreme Court decision -- Defeat of James G. Blaine -- European tour -- Continuation of European tour -- The Campaign of 1888 -- Administration of President Harrison -- Minister to Haiti -- Continued negotiations for the Môle St. Nicholas. Raised as a plantation slave, Douglass went on to become a writer, orator, and major participant in the struggle for African-American freedom and equality. In this engrossing narrative he recounts early years of abuse; his dramatic escape to the North and eventual freedom, abolitionist campaigns, and his crusade for full civil rights for former slaves.