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My Bondage and My Freedom  By  cover art

My Bondage and My Freedom

By: Frederick Douglass, Dr. James M'Cune Smith - introduction
Narrated by: Don Hagen
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Publisher's summary

This is ex-slave Frederick Douglass' second autobiography. It was written after 10 years of reflection following his legal emancipation in 1846, and his break with his mentor, William Lloyd Garrison, catapulted Douglass into the international spotlight as the foremost spokesman for American blacks, both freed and slave.

Written during his celebrated career as a newspaper editor and speaker, My Bondage and My Freedom reveals the author of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, written in 1845, has grown more mature, forceful, analytical, and complex, with a deepened commitment to the fight for equal rights and liberties.

Public Domain (P)2016 Gildan Media LLC
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about My Bondage and My Freedom

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  • Ty
  • 02-14-22

Get it.

I hated the narrator at first very much, almost quit. but it was so interesting I kept going, and about half way thru started liking the narration as well. By the end of the book I had concluded he was the perfect narrator for this book. You really shouldn't have a discussion on anything antebellum until you read this.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Mixed emotions.

While I fully enjoyed the history, it's clear that Mr. Douglass was a far more intelligent man than I am. I'd have to say that the times when I had to pay extra attention to follow were due to my personal lack of literary acuity.
I did have trouble some times picturing him because he usually lacks to mention his age in many circumstances.
I also did not like the voice of the reader. It wasn't until I was 75% through the book that his voice, delivered with lack of emotion and with constant monotone, grew own me.
All that said, it was a very well crafted novel, with history and truth of the utmost importance. Mr. Douglass is a true hero.

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12 people found this helpful

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Must read!

I find it hard to have conversations on issues regarding slavery and current issues in American when a vast majority of people have no real historical reference point. This book will be a great start to defining and understanding the true North as we all move through this racial wildernesses in America.

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11 people found this helpful

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How I wish I read this 10 years ago.

A must read or listen to by every freeman, colored or uncolored. This book reminds me why Mr. Orielli with Fox new was satisfied with the well fed slaves who built the White House. Sad to see the master mentality alive and well paid in today's media.

Steve Tafor.MD

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Great Classic

Great classic that everyone should read. Direct, honest, and real. Well written and gets to the heart of a life and struggle.

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  • Di
  • 06-28-19

EXCELLENT

I found the narrator compelling and think that had Douglas himself read his book to us it would have been in the same measured tone. The appalling story needs no emotional addition to be effective.

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7 people found this helpful

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  • R
  • 09-25-20

eloquent reading of an american masterpiece

a piece of biographical non-fiction that often reads with the epicness of a fictitious film.

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1 person found this helpful

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Powerful!

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book. It seemed a bit slow at first, but soon afterwards I was enthralled.

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  • P.
  • 03-02-23

Essential American History

You cannot understand America without seeing it through the eyes of one once enslaved. This volume is one of the most eloquent rebukes of a system of injustice.

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A GREAT JOY

An ingenious intellectual and emotional tour de force.
Stirring and dread-inducing and heartwarming and uplifting and Ennobling.
It is astonishing to note that Frederick Douglass invented new literary techniques in this book.
What an uncommonly gifted writer.
It really was one of the great joys of my life to read.

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