Frederick Douglass Selected speeches and writings

Renowned as the outstanding African American of the nineteenth century, Douglass was, without doubt, one of the most outstanding Americans of all times. Although he is known contemporarily through his exceptional writings, during his life Douglass was mainly known as an orator. Some consider him the greatest American orator of his time, a substantial power in the formation of public opinions. It was through his speeches and writings that Douglass changed U.S. history. This volume, developed from a series of five volumes originally edited by Foner, covers Douglass' speeches and writings over a 54-year period. The breadth and depth of his focus and concerns reflected in more than 2,000 speeches, editorials, articles, and letters provide a wellspring of knowledge about the man and his intellect. Although many historical personalities rise and fall in contemporary interest, Douglass' substantial work over this period provides a critique of the U.S. that resonates as strongly today as it did at the time. Vernon Ford

Taylor (I Was Born a Slave: An Anthology of Classic Slave Narratives), an editor at Lawrence Hill, serves readers and libraries well by adapting and abridging Foner's acclaimed The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglass, Vols. 1-5 (International Publishers, 1950-1975). As the text shows, Douglass's language, intellect, and humanity create a compelling narrative of 19th-century America. On display here are his ideas about abolitionism, feminism, electoral politics, and peace, as well as family, religion, literature, and economics. Although Taylor does not always provide thorough citations, this much of Douglass's work is not available elsewhere in such an affordable volume. Recommended for public and academic libraries.ÄSherri Barnes, Ventura, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.