Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Most folks know Frederick Douglass as an escaped slave turned abolitionist. Bolden's insightful and impeccably researched biography reveals, instead, a multifaceted man who would travel many paths and constantly redefine himself. And instead of commencing with Douglass' life as a slave, as many biographies do, this account begins after his escape, as he becomes one of the most in-demand speakers for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society and launches his place in history as a great orator against the twin monsters of darkness, slavery and racism. It balances Douglass' personal and financial successes and accolades with his frustrations, controversies, and setbacks, which only encouraged him to question the Constitution and fight harder for freedom, racial justice, and women's suffrage. Framing the biography are more than a dozen photographs of Douglass from his early twenties to just before his death at age 77, with a note explaining his love for photography, because of its democratizing quality. Many other period photographs, colorful reproductions, and quotes from the media of the time add to the impressive visuals. Author, newspaper owner, lecturer, Underground Railroad conductor, Union army recruiter, abolitionist, and presidential campaigner are just some of Douglass' roles described here. Bolden's beautiful, sophisticated narrative demonstrates that throughout all of his responsibilities, Douglass never lost sight of his biggest role humanitarian.--Leeper, Angela Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Adopting a conversational tone, Bolden (Crossing Ebenezer Creek) recounts the "legend's life" of "the de facto president of [19th-century] black America," Frederick Douglass, né Bailey (1818-1895). Douglass-a self-emancipated slave, orator, writer, newspaper editor and owner, abolitionist, desegregationist, women's rights advocate, Underground railroad conductor, civil servant, and diplomat-believed that slavery and racism constituted "twin-monsters of darkness." He fought against both, encouraging his audience to invest in durable assets such as education and skills, in order to improve their world. This informative, handsomely designed biography posits that Douglass's break from William Lloyd Garrison in the late 1840s constituted a turning point in Douglass's career; Bolden charts, in detail, his independent voice thereafter, through the battle for emancipation to enfranchisement and the fight against Jim Crow-era "black codes." Contrasting the leonine and financially successful public figure-backed in his early days by English abolitionists-and fallible private person, Bolden skillfully interweaves the political developments of Douglass's time with his personal life. Archival photographs and illustrations, journalistic extracts, a timeline, and other resources are included. Ages 10-14. Agent: Jennifer Lyons, Lyons Literary. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-Bolden's fact-packed biography of one of America's most influential African Americans presents Frederick Douglass's tireless work as an abolitionist, but it also enumerates his successes and failures as a publisher, professional alliances and disunities, involvement with suffrage, extraordinary travels, and family life. Sources are noted in the narration with scrupulous detail. A time line presenting previously unmentioned facts is offered at the end. Adam Lazarre-White's voice is extremely rich in tone-perhaps a nod to Douglass's speaking voice, which Bolden describes as sonorous. Though at times halting and out of rhythm, the narration adds to the seriousness of the subject's accomplishments and the unspeakable injustices of his time. What the work lacks in insights into Douglass's personality and humanness, it balances with extraordinary details of his impact on humanity. -VERDICT Students of the time period, American history, and social movements will find it valuable to absorb the details of Douglass's extraordinary life.-Jane -Newschwander, Fluvanna County Public Schools, VA © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
The life and evolving political and philosophical views of Frederick Douglass are chronicled in this thoughtfully arranged biography. Relevant quotes about Douglass are prominently featured throughout. Reproductions of primary source material from the time, along with many captivating photographs of Douglass, his colleagues, and family, elevate the familiar details of his life and help provide a nuanced portrait. Timeline. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The story of one of the most iconic and photographed figures in American history.Frederick Douglass wanted to be viewed as more than an escaped slave, and Bolden emphasizes that point by beginning his story when he makes the decision to break with abolitionist publisher William Lloyd Garrison to begin his own newspaper. Douglass' history is nevertheless revealed as he contemplates changing his course. In his paper, the North Star, he pressed for an end to slavery and was outspoken in favor of women's suffrage. Once the nation's struggles between freedom and slavery led to armed conflict, he pushed President Abraham Lincoln to allow black men to fight in the Union cause. After the Civil War, Douglass remained tireless in seeking to improve the lives of African-Americans until the end of his life. This narrative about a well-known figure feels fresh due to Bolden's skilled storytelling. It fully captures his outsized personality and provides clarity for nuanced episodes such as his disagreements with Garrison, his refusal to support efforts to colonize blacks outside of the United States, and his reservations about John Brown's raid. Complications in his personal life are handled with sensitivity. In addition, Douglass was a celebrity at the dawn of photography and became the era's most photographed figure, and this handsome volume includes many, as well as period illustrations.A spirited biography that fully honors its redoubtable subject. (author's note, timeline, source notes, selected sources, index) (Biography. 10-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
